Intermarriage

connection, commitment, and community

Evie Levy Rotstein

pp. 825-841

in: Helena Miller, Lisa Grant, Alex Pomson (eds), International handbook of Jewish education, Berlin, Springer, 2011

Abstract

With the rising number of children from interfaith families in many congregational religious schools, research on the Jewish education of those who are raised in interfaith homes is sparse and fragmented. Historically, the adolescent years have been a period of marked decline in the participation of both formal and informal Jewish educational programs. This chapter, which focuses on a North American perspective, provides a deeper understanding of what motivates teenagers from interfaith families to further their post-bar/bat mitzvah Jewish learning. A case study is used as the lens through which to examine the various factors that have influenced the decision. My findings are supported by the research on resilient youth, which identifies the fact that having high academic expectations, providing opportunities for active participation in the learning process, and developing significant relationships can successfully motivate and engage youth in our schools. The teenagers from interfaith families who continue their Jewish education express their satisfaction with the fact that they are able to build trusting friendships with teachers, rabbis, youth group advisors, and other adults in the Jewish community.