The success of the Reform Movement's Outreach to interfaith couples is evident in every Reform congregation in North America. Just look around your own congregation! Welcoming non-Jewish partners and inviting them to participate in meaningful and appropriate ways requires careful thought and policy setting. What leadership roles should be reserved for Jews? How will non-Jewish family members know they're welcome and how they can be included? This revised and updated edition of Defining the Role of the Non-Jew in the Synagogue draws on the experience and expertise of the past 10 years to guide congregations in a deliberative and successful policy setting process.
The best of the two earlier volumes is included along with new chapters on the following topics:
a sampler of the full range of current policies on membership, voting and governance
discussion and examples of a spectrum of ways to honor non-Jewish family members at a bar or bat mitzvah
examples of the process of policy setting in congregations of various sizes, with policy
language included
the special challenges of setting policy in small congregations
welcoming families and setting clear guidelines for religious school enrollment and involvement
end-of-life issues for interfaith families and synagogue responses
additional resources on affiliate policies, an index of Outreach-related responsa, and more!
If your congregation is just starting to study its general policies or if you are fine-tuning language for a religous school enrollment brochure or coordinating your WRJ policy with that of your congregation, this volume will surely be of assistance.
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