Pathways to Jewish Life - January 2000

Pathways . . . to Jewish Life
Outreach to Intermarried Families

Volume 1,Issue 1

Winter 2000

Special events notices: * Anti-Defamation League discussion of Nazi Doctors by Dr. Michael Franzblau; Jan. 12th at 7:00 p.m.  * Martin Luther King, Jr. multi-cultural celebration; Jan. 17th * Family Camp; Jan. 15-16 * Family Shabbat dinner on the 3rd Friday of every month; by reservation * Jazz Shabbat services;  Feb. 11th at 8:00 p.m. * Purim celebrations; Mar. 19 & 20 Program highlights: Jewish Home Companion Conversion Seminar Introduction to Judaism Gateways to a Jewish Me Mentor Program A Taste of Judaism Response Form

Intermarriage from a Different Viewpoint by Glenda Orchant, Pathways Coordinator The focus of PATHWAYS is usually on issues that concern intermarriage from a Jewish viewpoint.  However, I would like to recommend two books that approach Jewish-Christian identity and intermarriage from a very different perspective.  Both highlight a quest for spiritual meaning and love.  The Color of Water: a Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother by James McBride and Turbulent Soul: A Catholic Son’s Return to His Jewish Family by Stephen Dubner are the books. James McBride’s book tells the story of his white Jewish mother, the daughter of an Orthodox Rabbi in rural Virginia.  Her father abused his gentile wife and his children and so at age 17, Rachel Silsky (James’ mother) left her home and moved to New York in search of love and kindness. She found these qualities in a black minister whom she married.  He changed her name to Ruth and like the Biblical Ruth she declares, “Whither thou goest, I shall go; thy people will be my people, and thy God my God.”  She never turned back.  Her husband established his own church in a storefront in the all-black projects of Red Hook in Brooklyn.  She was his most ardent and supportive follower.  She was rejected by her Jewish family and was never fully accepted by the black community but despite it all, she raised her children with solid religious values.  In the midst of desperate poverty, her twelve offspring grew up and all graduated from college.  McBride’s mother was   reluctant to share her past with him but he gradually learned her story which he tells eloquently and lovingly.  His admiration for his mother is obvious and one senses that he accepts his mixed heritage without reservations. "She was rejected by her Jewish family and was never fully accepted by the black community but despite it all, she raised her children with solid religious values.” Stephen Dubner’s book relates a different kind of spiritual search, and a conversion in reverse.  His parents, who grew up in a loving Jewish environment, search for something they can’t name.  Eventually, each one of them seems to find the answer in the Catholic faith, each converts.  They meet, fall in love, and move to rural New York State.  Dubner, the youngest of eight children, is raised in the Catholic faith, but eventually feels the lack of something in his own life.  He knows that his parents had once been “something called Jews,” but he never met any.  He is intent on his own search and when he moves to New York City, he comes in contact with Jews.  Something clicks and he embarks on a search for his  Jewish relatives and the Jewish religion despite his mother’s reluctance to discuss the matter, and her rejection of his eventual conversion to Judaism. Both these autobiographies give us the opportunity to encounter the feelings and emotions that the authors experience in their personal quests for spiritual fulfillment.  In both cases, the heart dictates the choice of lifestyle and religion.

Many people we meet are on spiritual journeys.  Some articulate and share their joys and angst.  The feature article for this first issue of the Pathways Newsletter reviews two recent books that share the lives of the authors and their parents as they went through their personal journeys.  These books can be found in the Congregation Albert library.  The library has many books that deal with intermarriage.  I will supply a bibliography upon request.  Many of us are on our own personal journey.  We may be in search of our place in our family, our society, or where we are in our lives in regard to spirituality, religious identity, and family.  Our Pathways programs and discussion groups which are listed under the “Programs” section give people an opportunity to share their thoughts with others.  Sometimes we can’t articulate what some of the questions are that we should be asking ourselves.  Pathways discussion groups help you in this process.  Those of you exploring the issues around intermarriage will find that you are not alone in this search.  Call for more information about the new groups currently being formed.

JEWISH HOME COMPANION SERIES

The Jewish Home Companion Series engages participants in hands-on activities and models handing down or passing from generation the traditions of holiday celebrations and life cycle events that have historically taken place in the home and synagogue.  Issues relating to religious identity, family concerns and spiritual issues in relation to intermarriage will be discussed.  This program is designed for adult learners who are new to Judaism and Jews-by-birth who have little or no Jewish background; and second the general membership who can welcome and connect with this group.  At each session participants will receive a packet of materials to be added to their “companion” notebooks.  This program is designed for adults only.
Program facilitator: Glenda E. Orchant and Pathways committee members.

The fee for this program is $36.00 per family.

Calendar of events for JHC series:

CONVERSION SEMINAR

This series is open only to those who are enrolled in or have completed the Introduction to Judaism course.  

The focus of this series is to explore some of the issues faced by those who are choosing Judaism.  Participants will have the opportunity to hear from congregation members who are Jews-by-choice and dialogue with them.  The internal issues of religious commitment and change of identity will be explored as well as Jewish attitudes toward conversion.  One session will be devoted to the elements of Jewish worship.
Program facilitators: Rabbi Joseph Black and Glenda E. Orchant.

The fee for this program is $50 per person.

Conversion Seminar Calendar of events:

INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM

This 18-week class, taught by Rabbi Black, is an over-view of Jewish belief, practice, and community issues for those interested in an adult grounding in the basics of the tradition.  It is offered each year beginning in the fall and therefore enrollment is closed at this time.

Please look for more information about this class next fall.

GATEWAYS … To a Jewish Me

This program is designed for unaffiliated interfaith families with children.  It provides an opportunity to explore that part of their religious tradition which is Jewish.  Through a series of parallel programs for adults and children, we learn about the Jewish holiday cycle, Jewish home practices and life cycle events.  Through study and discussion, parents are encouraged to make a decision about the faith commitment that best suits their family’s needs.  All are encouraged to participate in congregational life through worship services and celebrations throughout the year.

There is no fee for this program

For more information, call Judith Ning at 883-1818

MENTOR PROGRAM

Individuals, couples and families who are new to Judaism will be matched with those who have experienced coming to Jewish life without the tools and history of many born-Jews and are now successfully negotiating the previously uncharted waters.  Subject matter will be suited to the specific needs of the participants.

There is no fee for this program.

”A TASTE OF JUDAISM”

This program is designed to give participants a “taste” of what is delicious about Judaism (hence the name “A Taste of Judaism.”)  Further, its purpose is to whet the participants’ appetites so that they will explore additional learning opportunities and options for participation within the Jewish community.  The course is limited to three sessions: Spirituality (God), Ethics (Torah) and Community (Israel).  Students interact with texts traditional and contemporary on each of the three topics.
Program facilitators: Rabbi Joseph Black and Glenda E. Orchant.

There is no fee for this program.

Please use this registration form to sign up for any Pathways programs, or to request future issues of  our Pathways newsletters.

For credit card registrations, payment can be made directly from this web site. To protect your information, the credit card process uses two steps. On this form, enter only the first 8 digits of your credit card number. After filling out the form below, simply click on the "BEGIN" button. You will see another form where you can enter the last 8 digits of your credit card. This information is sent to two different locations on the Internet to prevent your card number from being compromised (Please Note: if you are only registering for FREE programs, please enter the word "FREE" as your credit card number on the forms).

For payment by check, or to avoid sending credit card information over the Internet, this form can be printed when completed and sent with your payment by mail to:

Congregation Albert
3800 Louisiana Boulevard NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
For further information, phone Glenda Orchant at (505)883-1818

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Registration Form

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