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 CHAPTER
FIVE:Those Who don’t Fit the Model: Family Situations and Status
in Judaism and the Jewish World
C: EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
24. Marrying In And Out - Part Two
(An hour and a half to two hours)
- Try to use the Jonathan Sarna article mentioned in the body of the
text. (Details in bibliography; the anthology in question should be
easy to find).
- If you can, hand it out to the group (possibly even ahead of
time).
In addition, search out – or ask the group to search out and
to bring in - the opinions of other authorities that are critical
of the views expressed by Sarna. (Some articles are mentioned in
the Bibliography).
If you cannot find this particular article, use the summary provided
as an introduction.
- Explore the ideas in small groups.
- Does the group agree with his central thesis that intermarriage
should be seen as a sign of Jewish success and acceptance?
- Explore the meaning of the term “from outrage to outreach”
and follow this transition.
- Introduce the question of whether or not there should be such a campaign
to try and bring more intermarried couples into the community.
- Whether the decision is positive or negative, the following question
should then be asked:
- What has the Jewish community traditionally demanded from
would-be converts to Judaism?
- Explore the traditional elements of mikveh, circumcision for
men and a meeting with the rabbinic court, for the candidate to
be examined for knowledge and to be questioned about observance.
- Examine why these might be the principal elements.
- Now address and explore the questions:
- What should the Jewish community today demand from its would-be
converts?
- Should the community demand high standards or lower the standards
to attract as many of the mixed couples as possible to Judaism?
- Which way does Judaism gain more?
Make sure that any participants who are themselves come from mixed
marriages have an opportunity to express their opinion.
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