How do Reconstructionist communities involve non-Jewish family members?
Since 1968, our movement has recognized the Jewishness of a child born to a non-Jewish mother and Jewish father. Our communities are dedicated to creating an environment in which all family members feel welcome. Acknowledging the current reality that an increasingly large number of families will be intermarried, Reconstructionist communities often offer “Introduction to Judaism” courses, facilitate peer group discussions and develop communal practices for Jewish lifecycle events that include non-Jewish family members. Our aim is to bring the richness of Jewish civilization into the public and private lives of our communities and not necessarily to formally convert the non-Jewish family member. The 1996 Boundaries and Opportunities Report referred to above offers suggestions and recommendations for individual communities.
