Interfaithing: Sassy Spirituality - Why Joy (and Chutzpah) Matter in Interfaith Families
Interfaithing
Join Ari and Anna for a delightfully sassy episode of Interfaithing, where they explore the lighter, joy-filled side of life in interfaith families! This episode dives into how humor, wit, and a bit of chutzpah can help families navigate religious differences and messy holiday moments—from Mac & Cheese mishaps to reinventing holiday traditions. Discover why a touch of irreverence can spark deeper connections, uplift family memories, and even challenge self-righteous attitudes in religious communities. Key Topics: Sass as a truth-telling tool: How humor and confidence break down...
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Interfaithing: Grief, Growth, and Spiritual Mentors
Interfaithing
Join Anna and Ari as they dive into the complexities of grief, legacy, and growth in interfaith families on this heartfelt episode of Interfaithing! Recorded just after MLK Day, this conversation honors the powerful bonds between spiritual mentors and their lasting roles in shaping faith journeys. Topics addressed include: The profound impact of losing spiritual mentors and how grief can inspire reconnection within families and interfaith communities Navigating changes, micro-losses, and evolving traditions when embracing two faiths under one roof Ways to honor loved ones’ legacies...
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Interfaithing: Sacred Unions or Problems to Manage? Shabbat, Agape, and the Syncretic Spark of Interfaith Households
Interfaithing
Join Ari and Anna for the latest episode of "" in which the hosts challenge the idea that interfaith families are problems to solve—instead, they explore how these relationships can become sacred unions and sites of spiritual creativity. Topics addressed include: Moving beyond “problems to manage” toward celebrating blessings and sacredness Interplay of differences and similarities through powerful metaphors of coins, trees, and blossoming rosebushes Ritual innovation through a unique Shabbat-Agape blessing combining Jewish and Christian traditions Understanding syncretism as a...
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Interfaithing: When Fundamentalism Challenges Diversity
Interfaithing
Join Anna and Ari for a powerful episode of Interfaithing: "When Fundamentalism Challenges Diversity." In recognition of the terrible act of antisemitism at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia this week, your hosts explore the difficult questions and real-life struggles facing interfaith families in a world where religious fundamentalism threatens unity and inclusion. Topics addressed include: The impact of global tragedies, such as attacks targeted at faith communities, and how they affect interfaith families’ sense of safety and belonging Honest conversations about antisemitism,...
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Interfaithing: Jingle Bells, Dreidel Spins & A Patreon Holiday Party!!!
Interfaithing
Episode Summary: In this vibrant and heartfelt episode, hosts Ari and Anna dive deep into how families with interfaith dynamics can navigate and celebrate the holiday season—especially when traditions and values sometimes seem to clash or compete. Starting with lighthearted Thanksgiving recaps (including a family reunion for Anna's dog, Armadillo, aka “Dillo”), they find the humor and warmth in shared stories, even when they involve playful misnaming ("Guacamole"!). The conversation soon shifts to the holiday season's unique challenges for interfaith families, focusing on the...
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Interfaithing: What Does Christian Nationalism have to do with Patrilineal Descent?
Interfaithing
Join Ari and Anna for a dynamic episode of Interfaithing as they tackle the challenges and opportunities of interfaith families embracing two faiths under one roof. This conversation dives deep into building authentic connections, navigating the roadblocks and gifts that religious traditions bring, and finding belonging—especially during the holiday season. Topics addressed include: Passing Down Heritage: Examine matrilineal vs. patrilineal descent in Judaism and Christian approaches to faith. Christian Nationalism & Identity: Learn to separate faith, culture, and sociopolitical...
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Interfaithing: When Your Child Thinks You're Going to Hell
Interfaithing
(Editor's note: This episode is revised from the original released last week to clean up & shorten the introduction. The overall content for the episode is the same.) Rabbi Ari and Rev. Anna tackle one of the most sensitive theological challenges facing interfaith families: the Christian concept of salvation and what it means when one tradition suggests the other needs "saving." This episode explores real stories of families navigating baptism, christening, and the fear-based theology that can create painful divisions between Jewish and Christian loved ones. Topics addressed include:...
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Interfaithing: Can You Have an Interfaith Bar Mitzvah?
Interfaithing
Rabbi Ari and Reverend Anna tackle one of the most challenging questions facing interfaith families: How do you honor both traditions in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony? This episode centers on a real family—nicknamed "the DeLucabergs"—where a Jewish mother and Italian/Irish father are wrestling with their son's upcoming Bar Mitzvah. As they began planning, the mother questioned whether proceeding with such a distinctly religious ceremony truly reflected their interfaith identity. This sparks a rich conversation about authenticity, engagement, and what it means to create meaningful...
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Interfaithing: The Next Chapter Starts Now
Interfaithing
Ari and Anna return with an exciting announcement about the evolution of their Interfaithing podcast and project! This episode marks a new chapter as they expand beyond their previous two seasons into broader community-building work, introducing significant developments that will shape the future of interfaith family support. Topics addressed include: - The launch of "The Interfaithing Rabbi" — Ari's new sub-brand exploring how Judaism relates to other faith traditions, both within interfaith families and through broader clergy collaboration and community engagement. - Anna's ordination as a...
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(S02/E17) Ella's Interfaithing Journey PART 2 - Becoming Whole in the Holy Land
Interfaithing
Join Ari and Anna as they wrap up Season 2 of Interfaithing with the second part of Ella Goldberg's captivating journey of self-discovery and faith exploration in "Becoming Whole in the Holy Land"! Topics addressed include: Ella's transformative Birthright trip to Israel, where she felt her identity come together in harmony; The emotional rollercoaster of converting to Judaism in Israel; Navigating the complexities of interfaith identity and family dynamics; The power of interfaith families in promoting dialogue between faiths; And MUCH MORE!! ~ Hear Ella's powerful words: "When I was...
info_outlineRabbi Ari and Reverend Anna tackle one of the most challenging questions facing interfaith families: How do you honor both traditions in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony?
This episode centers on a real family—nicknamed "the DeLucabergs"—where a Jewish mother and Italian/Irish father are wrestling with their son's upcoming Bar Mitzvah. As they began planning, the mother questioned whether proceeding with such a distinctly religious ceremony truly reflected their interfaith identity. This sparks a rich conversation about authenticity, engagement, and what it means to create meaningful ceremonies that honor multiple heritages.
Topics addressed include:
- The fundamentals of Bar/Bat Mitzvah traditions—what the ceremony entails, why Torah reading is central, and how it marks a young person's transition into full membership in the Jewish community.
- The difference between support and deep engagement for non-Jewish partners in Jewish lifecycle events, and why identity questions make Bar Mitzvahs more complex than interfaith weddings.
- A powerful personal story from Anna about participating in an interfaith Bar Mitzvah ceremony a decade ago, including the family's decision on what to call the event and how to acknowledge both traditions authentically.
- The sacred role of Torah in Jewish ceremonies and why this creates unique challenges for fully integrating other faith traditions—unlike wedding chuppahs, the Torah carries specific religious obligations.
- The naming dilemma: Should it be called a "Bar Mitzvah and..." something else? What comes after the "and" when the non-Jewish parent doesn't actively practice their birth religion but their cultural heritage still matters?
- Fairness versus equality—a crucial framework showing that interfaith ceremonies don't need equal weight for both traditions to be respectful and meaningful. Fair doesn't mean equal!
And MUCH MORE!!
Join us as we explore how interfaith families can create authentic coming-of-age ceremonies that honor who they truly are!
Have thoughts on what should follow "Bar Mitzvah and..."? Send your ideas to interfaithingpod@gmail.com or by joining patreon.com/interfaithing —Rabbi Ari is actively seeking input from the interfaithing community!