Blog

Here at Temple Israel, we recognize the growing number of interfaith families in our congregation. We are a diverse community made up of Jews (whether by birth or by choice), people from other faiths, people who do not practice a religion, and people who are still deciding how they wish to self-identify.

Since we currently have over 100 interfaith/Jews by choice families at TI, we decided to start our Interfaith Initiative to create programming and support for interfaith families.

So far we have had two Interfaith Couples Shabbat potluck dinners which included food and fun discussions! These Shabbat dinners will be happening every few months at different members’ homes If you are interested in getting involved, please contact me for more details.

In addition to increasing support for the interfaith families in our own congregation, we plan to offer as much support and solidarity that we can to the greater St. Louis interfaith community. Our city is a destination and new home to many immigrants and refugees of diverse nationalities, religions, ethnicities, cultures, etc. One example of a new partnership we are creating is with the International Institute of St. Louis. Most refugees that come into St. Louis are supported by the International Institute for their first few months in the city while they get settled and find work. At the TI Women’s Seder in April, we held a drive for diapers and socks and received many donations that we donated to the Institute. A group of ladies from TI Women’s Connection also recently participated in a potluck community lunch at the International Institute. They made enough soup for 50 people and then brought the soup to the potluck on April 27^th and shared a meal with some of St. Louis’s newest refugees. It was an amazing event. We will continue to grow our relationship with the International Institute so that we can help our new neighbors in St. Louis.

We are very excited for all the awesome opportunities on the horizon involving interfaith relations. If you have any questions, comments, ideas, or input regarding anything interfaith, please contact me at jogerth@ti-stl.org.

Thank You!

Jody 
TI Interfaith Outreach Coordinator

BELOW: Interfaith Group Potluck Dinner