The Mandell JCC in West Hartford is launching ‘Interfaith Family Connection,’ to support families with Jewish tradition, teachings, and values.

Submitted by Michelle Bonner, Marketing Director, Mandell JCC

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is pleased to announce its new Interfaith Family Connection, designed to welcome, embrace, and educate interfaith couples and families in Greater Hartford. Funded by a generous grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, the Interfaith Family Connection will offer a variety of programming throughout the year.

“The mission of the Interfaith Family Connection is to support interfaith couples and families and build community as they explore Judaism in their own way,” said Elana MacGilpin, director of Outreach and Jewish Engagement at the Mandell JCC. “We are excited to welcome interfaith couples and families, and offer much needed resources and opportunities for them to learn and connect in a supportive environment. As someone who is also intermarried I know the importance of feeling like you belong and are with others who understand your unique experiences.”

A recent JMAP Hartford study by the Jewish Community Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford found that, locally, 40 percent of interfaith respondents reported that they are not as involved in Jewish life as they would like to be, 20 percent do not participate in Jewish life and 64 percent didn’t know anyone to participate with at Jewish community events.

The same study found that 90 percent of the respondents felt it was important to them that their children be proud to be Jewish and almost all wanted their children to be knowledgeable about Jewish traditions, rituals and customs.

“Interfaith families form an important part of our Jewish community,” said Howard Sovronsky, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. “We’re proud to work with the Mandell JCC to provide opportunities for interfaith families to celebrate their connection to Judaism.”

Programs developed specifically with interfaith families in mind include how-to educational and experiential workshops, as well as discussion groups and informal social gatherings. Participants will have opportunities to learn from community experts as well as connect with other intermarried couples and families.

“It is important to have an inviting environment for interfaith couples and families in our communities,” said Moira Leshen, who along with her husband Steve, are raising five daughters in the Jewish community. “It seems too often that we feel like a fringe group because one of us is not Jewish. Community involvement, in general, is a key to the continued advancement of any society.”

The Interfaith Family Connection will serve as a resource for interfaith families on their personal journeys. Fall programming will include “Doing Jewish in an Interfaith Family,” a three-part session in which families will experience Jewish traditions and values with dedicated time for facilitated discussions and hands-on activities for children. Each session will conclude with a family-style dinner for the entire group.

“The number of interfaith families is steadily growing and many of us are looking for communities where we can feel comfortable exploring and participating in Judaism while retaining what makes us different,” said Jason Rickel, who is Jewish and whose wife, Erin, grew up in the Catholic religion. “It’s so important for the community as a whole to have interfaith programming so that others can learn how to best welcome interfaith families and interfaith families can share their own stories.”

“Our goal is to enhance connections, build community and help couples and families find their place in the Jewish world,” added MacGilpin, who points to The Mother’s Circle, an award-winning, step by step, educational and support program for moms in interfaith families, as a great resource for interfaith families with children.

“I’m so proud and grateful to be a part of our welcoming Jewish community in Greater Hartford, as we continue the work of opening the tent to include those who wish to participate,” said Laura Kinyon, LCSW, facilitator of The Mother’s Circle.

For more on the Interfaith Family Connection, visit www.mandelljcc.org or contact Elana MacGilpin at [email protected].

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