Rabbi Noam Raucher, MA.Ed – Executive Director, FJMC International Parashat Lech Lecha may be one of the richest portions in the Torah for exploring what it means to be a man. We usually approach it as the beginning of Abraham’s journey, the birth of a covenant, and the emergence of the Jewish people. But read through …
Welcome to the Winter 2026-27 Edition of Pride and Prejudice!by Alan BudmanPast International President, 2023-2025 FJMC International This issue is dedicated to the concept of welcoming interfaith families into the greater Jewish Community, and specifically, into synagogue life. Why are we talking about this? Because even though FJMC International had great success with its Keruv Initiative …
The Love That Connects Us: Celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah in an Interfaith Familyby Traci and Dustin Hojnacki What each family believes in, celebrates, and shares with one another is unique. Yet, the love of family brings people together and creates joy that transcends traditions, beliefs, and generations. From saying “Merry Christmas” to “Happy Holidays” and …
Brothers, I have always said the ‘backbone’ of FJMC International starts at the club level. That is where all of us started in the organization. I am starting something new. Every now and then, I am going to highlight clubs in different regions to tell us what they are doing and what makes them so …
Sharing Holiday Traditions within an Interfaith Familyby Heather Budman and Chris Golen For our household, it means creating a unique, warm blend where both of our heritages have a physical and emotional home. We might have a Christmas tree next to a Menorah and mix traditional foods, letting our daughter experience the beauty of both …
Seeing Interfaith Outreach in the World of the Presentby Harvey BraunsteinKeruv Co-Founder and Co-Chair Once upon a time in the late 1990’s Len Gimbel was next in line to be FJMC President. Rabbi Charles Simon, FJMC’s rabbinical spiritual presence, pulled Len aside and said, “Lenny, you will be president in 2 years. What do you …
FJMC International 2027 ConventionWestin St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco, on Union SquareJuly 8-11, 2027Jay Steinmetz, Chair The COUNTDOWN to Convention! 00Days 00Hours 00Minutes 00Seconds We are happy to announce that Registration will officially open on November 1st! Everyone is excited with anticipation to start the process and soon you will be able to. A link …
BEYOND KERUV…Looking back and moving aheadby Steven Mandel MD In the context of the FJMC, KERUV focuses on welcoming interfaith couples with families into synagogue life, rather than allowing differences in religious backgrounds to become barriers to participation. Welcoming interfaith families, means supporting Jewish identity, educating without judging, building relationships, and training synagogue leaders. Welcoming …
Letter to the EditorPride & Prejudice Dear Editor, Since turning over the reins for FJMC’s Inclusion Initiative to you and our colleagues, I’ve been thinking how nice it would be to not need an Inclusion Initiative. What if everyone we encountered was treated in the same welcoming manner we treat our good friends? I’m old enough …
My Interfaith Marriage Journey with the Conservative/Masorti MovementBy Josh Kohn When my wife and I married nearly 25 years ago, I assumed we would find a synagogue where we could build our Jewish life together. I loved the Conservative traditions I had grown up with and wanted to share them with my new family. At …
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