Interfaithing: Why families can embrace two faiths under one roof

Join hosts Ari and Anna for a magical, costume-filled episode as they celebrate Purim and explore the wonders of embracing two faiths under one roof! With Ari dressed as Santa and Anna as a unicorn, they review the second season of Netflix's hit-show "Nobody Wants This" and the heartfelt journey of spiritual identity, imposter syndrome, and conversion.

Topics addressed include:

• The meaning and joy of Purim through costumes, revelation, and topsy-turvy fun

• How interfaith families blend traditions, creating "patchwork quilts" of celebration

• Insights on converting for marriage versus personal faith, and the pressures faced by partners

• The importance of community and safe spaces for personal growth

And MUCH MORE!!

Tune in for laughter, heartfelt stories, and real insights on the beauty of interfaithing! Support us and gain EXCLUSIVE content at patreon.com/interfaithing

Join Ari and Anna on a powerful episode of Interfaithing as they tackle one of the most challenging topics for interfaith families: conversations about Israel. Sparked by questions from their Patreon community, the hosts explore how Jewish and non-Jewish partners can discuss the complexities of Israel, especially in the aftermath of October 7, 2023.

Topics addressed include:

• The emotional weight of Israel for Jews and how partners can respectfully broach sensitive topics

• Historical and theological perspectives on Israel in both Jewish and Christian contexts—from Zionism to Christian Zionism and the role of apocalyptic beliefs

• The impact of current events on Jewish identity, antisemitism, and family dynamics in interfaith households

• Navigating justice, nonviolence, and the meaning of peace through interfaith dialogue

• Why curiosity and open-hearted conversation matter for couples facing difficult issues

And MUCH MORE!!

Stay curious, and discover how honest discussion can bring families—and faiths—closer together!

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~ For more insights, become a Patreon supporter at www.patreon.com/interfaithing!!

~ Connect with us via email at [email protected]

~ Like us and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @interfaithingpod!!

~ Check out our website at www.interfaithingpod.com for more Interfaithing content!!

Join Rabbi Ari and Reverend Anna for a dazzling new episode of Interfaithing as they dive into an unprecedented convergence of celebrations—Lunar New Year, Ramadan, Rosh Chodesh Adar, and Ash Wednesday—all happening within the same 24 hours! Explore how interfaith families could thoughtfully navigate overlapping practices of fasting, feasting, prayer, and joy across Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Asian traditions.

Topics addressed include:

• The practical challenges and creative possibilities of honoring multiple faith holidays in one household

• How timekeeping (lunar, solar, and lunisolar calendars) shapes holiday observance

• Navigating food traditions, fasting rules, and community gatherings with cultural sensitivity

• Theological intersections—joy vs. introspection, one God vs. many, and the art of celebrating difference

• Finding compromise and building meaningful connections across traditions

And MUCH MORE!!

Join us for an imaginative journey through this rare, vibrant interfaith holiday mashup!

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~ Check out these episodes from Season 2 referenced by Rev Anna and Rabbi Ari...

• (S02/E10) - Interfaithing's Journey Through Mardi Gras, & Lent
• (S02/E11) - An Interfaithing Purim Story: Secrets, Scandals, and Surprises

~ For more insights, become a Patreon supporter at www.patreon.com/interfaithing!!

~ Like us and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @interfaithingpod!!

~ Check out our website at www.interfaithingpod.com for more Interfaithing content!!

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 barriers.

• Holiday mashups: Experiencing Hanukkah, Christmas, and more with creativity and love.

• Religious "flexigidity": Why tradition thrives on change.

• Personal tales of clergy families, interfaith challenges, and embracing imperfection with pride.

And MUCH MORE!!

Support the show and join our growing community at patreon.com/interfaithing—because interfaithing is better when it's sassy!

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 while enhancing creative spiritual growth

• The importance of going deeper into your own religious tradition, even (or especially) as you are interfaithing

• Real-life stories of adapting rituals and holiday celebrations across seasons of family life

And MUCH MORE!!

Discover how loss can spark transformation and find encouragement for your own interfaithing journey. Support the show and unlock exclusive content at patreon.com/interfaithing!

Join Ari and Anna for the latest episode of "Interfaithing" 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 source of vitality rather than dilution, keeping spiritual "roots" strong and flourishing

• The art of transforming challenging moments into opportunities for deeper connection and creative ritual

PLUS: An inspiring taste of a new Shabbat Agape liturgy for a Friday night interfaith meal!!

Unlock the sacred spark of interfaith households—support us at patreon.com/interfaithing!

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~ Check out the Op-Ed article Ari wrote for JTA by clicking here!

~ Find Sue Katz Miller's book on Amazon by clicking here!

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, Islamophobia, and navigating Jewish-Christian differences in times of crisis

• How diverse families can resist the isolating effects of fundamentalism by building bridges, fostering allyship, and embracing quiet confidence

• The role of secular and religious values in creating homes where multiple faiths can coexist

• Tips for Christian partners supporting their Jewish loved ones during challenging times

And MUCH MORE!!

~ Join the growing community at patreon.com/interfaithing

~ Read up on Anna's latest blog post - "The Quiet Confidence of Interfaith Families" - at interfaithingpod.com

~ Email us your thoughts and questions at [email protected]

Stay curious and keep 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 Christmas-Hanukkah conundrum. They discuss questions like:

• Are Hanukkah and Christmas really equivalent in importance?

• How do historic moments of assimilation (like Saturnalia's influence on Christmas and Hanukkah) shape these holidays today?

• Why do both holidays, despite their different religious weight, end up serving as major unifying moments for families?

The hosts also preview their exciting new "Interfaithing Patreon Community" Zoom meetups, designed as safe, supportive spaces where families can connect, share, and "speed friend" with others walking a similar path. There's even a playful debate about the most inappropriate thing a grandparent's ever said about an interfaith relationship!

With thoughtful insight and plenty of laughter, Ari and Anna remind listeners there is no single "right" way to honor multiple faiths under one roof—and that the real magic comes from finding belonging, adaptation, and joy, no matter how you celebrate.

Key Discussion Points:

• Handling family holidays, from multi-generational gatherings to pet reunions (and dog personalities!).

• The history and importance of Hanukkah vs. Christmas, especially for interfaith families.

• How both major holidays borrow and adapt from dominant cultures—and why that matters now.

• Parenting, tradition, and finding meaningful, kid-friendly ways to celebrate both faiths.

• Insights into building interfaith community beyond the home, with new online meetups and opportunities for connection.

• The role of humor, grace, and curiosity in navigating awkward family moments and insensitive comments.

• Looking ahead: expanding the conversation to include Muslim, Hindu, and other faith communities in interfaith family discussion.

Links & Resources:

• Patreon Community: Don't miss our very first Patreon Zoom meetups next week—Tuesday, Dec 9 at 8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT and Wednesday, Dec 10 at 1:30pm ET/10:30am PT! Join our Interfaithing community at patreon.com/interfaithing for connection, conversation, and support for your interfaith journey.

• Contact Us: Have questions, prompts, or stories to share? Email: interfaithingpodmail.com

• Previous Seasons: Check out last year's episodes for deeper dives into Thanksgiving, holiday history, and more.

Next Steps & Calls to Action:

• Don't miss our upcoming Zoom meetups! (Dec 9th, 8:15pm ET; Dec 10th, 1:30pm ET)

• Have a funny, awkward, or meaningful interfaith prompt for the speed-friending sessions? Send it in!

• If you have personal experience or expertise in Muslim assimilation or interfaith families outside Judaism/Christianity, reach out—we want to feature your perspective.

Takeaway Quote: "Every permutation of family has something special…Your faith traditions can really help unite the family, no matter what your family looks like."

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe, review, and share Interfaithing wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Like us and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @interfaithingpod!!

• Check out our website at www.interfaithingpod.com for more Interfaithing content!!

• Stay curious. Stay connected. Keep interfaithing!

Credits: Produced by: Ari and Anna

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 beliefs for true connection.

• Community & Belonging: Discover how questioning tradition can create a welcoming home.

PLUS an update on the Delucaberg family's unique Bar Mitzvah celebration and an announcement of EXCLUSIVE events for Patreon members!!!

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For more insights, become a Patreon supporter at www.patreon.com/interfaithing!!

Like us and Follow us on Facebook and Instagram with the handle @interfaithingpod!!

Check out our website at www.interfaithingpod.com for more Interfaithing content including the full video of our LiveStreamathon for Passover & Easter 2025!!

(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:

- The christening dilemma: When grandparents are told their grandchild needs to be christened "so the child would not go to hell"—and what this language means for Jewish family members who don't participate in Christian rituals.

- Baptism vs. christening explained: Rev. Anna clarifies the crucial distinction between these practices, revealing that infant baptism historically developed as protection for innocent babies, not as salvation—because babies cannot make that decision themselves.

- A daughter's fear: A powerful story from Jane Kaplan's book about a Christian-raised teenager who worries her Jewish father will go to hell, buying him Bibles and asking her church to pray for his conversion.

- Jesus was a Jew: Rev. Anna's reminder that Jesus never converted away from Judaism, and why expecting Jews to become Christian contradicts the very foundation of Christian history.

- Moving from fear to love: How interfaith families can shift away from theology rooted in fear and toward practices grounded in love, respect, and authentic connection to both traditions.

- Religious literacy matters: Why truly understanding how religions work—not just surface-level knowledge—is essential for navigating these complex theological waters.

And MUCH MORE!!

Join us as we explore how interfaith families can honor both traditions without one needing to "save" the other!

Plus: An update on the DeLucaBerg family's interfaith bar mitzvah planning and their creative solution for honoring both Jewish and Italian Catholic heritage!