Passover this year feels different from previous years. The world is in great turmoil; tensions are high and tempers are frayed. As you gather around your Seder table, you might be looking for some different perspectives for yourselves or to share. Below are some readings I have collected in light of this. Many of them will be used or referenced at our Passover Gathering. Some of these may be difficult, some may be contentious, and hopefully, some will offer comfort. Feel free to use any or none of them during your seders. As we noted when Thanksgiving came around, gathering with family and fr ..read more

As Earth Day approaches this year, falling on April 22nd, 2024, it prompts us to pause and reflect on the profound environmental challenges our planet faces. The roots of our environmental consciousness often intertwine with spiritual and religious teachings, emphasizing our interconnectedness with the natural world. This sentiment is echoed across diverse faith traditions, from Buddhism to Native American spirituality, and within Christianity and Judaism. Several years ago, the IFFP Tikkun Olam Environmental Working Group embarked on a journey catalyzed by the enlightening book, “The Greening ..read more

There is that sacred silent moment on Shabbat when the candles have just been lit and hands gently wave in the air and cover one’s eyes. There is that sacred silent moment during prayer when your hands are clasped together, your eyes close, and your head gently bows down. There is that sacred silent moment of human connection when after you’ve asked someone “How are you today?” and that person inhales, just about to speak. Sacred silence. We live in a world of so many words. The non-stop noises can feel overwhelming. There’s the 24-hour news cycle, the constant analysis at sporting events ..read more

Luke 24:1-12: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.5 The women[b] were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to ..read more

When I was a child, in our house we celebrated both Passover and Easter. This may seem like a very hard thing to do, given the many dietary restrictions during Passover. Believing that both sides should be given an equal chance to celebrate these two holidays, our family solved this problem. We adhered to the Passover restrictions, but on Easter Sunday we had a “special” meal. I can remember as a child going through the wonderful first two nights of the Passover, with dozens of family and friends gathering. It always seemed that it was either my cousin, who is also from an interfaith family, o ..read more

“On a chilly Sunday morning in a Rockville, Maryland, classroom, a group of eighth graders is deep into a discussion about whether there’s an afterlife and — if so — what it might entail. A few fairly standard depictions of heaven and hell give way to questions about reincarnation, reunion with lost loved ones, karma, ghosts, and whether we’re all just on a loop as in a video game, “rebooting” in an effort to level up. “What if this is my five millionth time living this life?” wonders one 13-year-old, who appears equally amused and alarmed by the concept. “You mean like ‘Groundhog Day’?” asks ..read more

This blog post serves as a summarization of the thought-provoking presentation by IFFP member Stanley Drake. The original video, available on YouTube, captures a deep dive into the complexities of Jewish name changes in 20th-century America. In this insightful conversation, Stanley Drake explores the motivations, challenges, and societal dynamics that led many Jewish individuals and families to consider altering their names. To watch the full presentation and immerse yourself in the spoken narrative, you can access the video below. As Shakespeare wisely mused, “What’s in a name? That which we ..read more

From the June/July 1997 Issue of Dovetail Magazine Most couples give a lot of thought to choosing names for their children. They think about the sound of the name, how it might come to be shortened, what the initials might spell out. They think about what other people have had that name, how unusual or how common it might be. Sometimes they struggle when there are competing family associations to be considered, especially if their child is the first grandchild. Jewish/Christian families have certain additional particular issues that can present both extra challenges and extra solutions. The ch ..read more

As January unfolds, our thoughts turn to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 27th. This date holds significant historical importance as the United Nations General Assembly designated it in remembrance of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This solemn day serves as a global tribute to honor the victims, survivors, and the collective memory of one of the darkest periods in human history. As we approach this annual commemoration, we share the reflections of Fredie Adelman, an IFFP member, whose personal journey and commitment to teaching Holocaust history to i ..read more

By: Rabbi Debbie Reichmann and Reverend Samantha Gonzalez-Block It’s that time of the year again when interfaith families try to balance their celebrations of Christmas and Chanukah. It’s viewed as a season of negotiations and compromises (Can we have a Christmas tree…how about a Chanukah bush? How many presents should we give the kids…eight…ten…none? Whose in-laws are coming for the holidays? What house of worship can we attend as a family? Is there such a thing as kosher Christmas ham?) So common is this phenomenon, many have come to call this time the “December Dilemma.”  As co-clergy ..read more