WHAT IS THE HALF-JEWISH NETWORK?
The Half-Jewish Network is a social, networking, support, cultural, research, and advocacy organization for adult children and other interested descendants of intermarried Jews, including the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of intermarriage.
We anticipate that the Half-Jewish Network will also provide advice and guidance to spiritual and secular organizations that seek effective ways to welcome the adult children and other descendants of intermarriage and include us in their communities.
The Half-Jewish Network is envisioned as an independent organization that is not connected with any other religious or secular groups, and welcomes adult children and other descendants of intermarriage from all religious, secular and cultural backgrounds.
WE WELCOME . . .
We cordially invite the adult children and other interested descendants of either a Jewish mother or a Jewish father to join us. We make no distinctions between them.
Adult children and other descendants are welcome whether they identify as Jews, Christians, seculars, members of other faiths or cultures, "both," "none," or "undecided."
We cordially welcome the multiracial and mixed heritage adult children and other descendants of Jews who intermarried or entered relationships with people of other ethnicities and races.
We are glad to see the adult adoptees, stepchildren, and other non-biological descendants of Jews married or in relationships with people of other faiths and cultures.
We extend greetings to the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) adult children and other descendants of intermarried or interdating Jews.
We cordially invite to our gatherings the adult children and other descendants raised in households created by GLBT Jews and their non-Jewish partners in same-sex interfaith holy unions, domestic partnerships, and relationships.
WHY DOES THE HALF-JEWISH NETWORK EXIST?
Astonishingly, at the present time -- despite the fact that there are thousands of us living in countries all over the world, including Israel -- there are almost no resources for us of any kind.
We have very few opportunities to network -- to meet, socialize, share stories and information, and form friendships and relationships.
There is very little known about us. There are very few research studies on us, or brochures and literature for us, or groups engaged in outreach to us.
We also have almost no public "voices" or organizational spokespersons to give feedback or comments when decisions are made about us in the Jewish world and in other faith-based and secular communities.
This is in glaring contrast to the huge amount of research on -- and numerous organizations and spokespersons for -- interfaith couples (our parents) -- and the related support groups for the parents of interfaith couples (our grandparents) -- within both Judaism and Christianity. (We have not located such groups within other cultures yet.)
We hope that the existence of the Half-Jewish Network will be one of the first steps in filling that huge gap in social networking, information sharing, support, and public advocacy for us.
LET'S HAVE DINNER
We'd like to get together for dinners and parties and talk. Some of us would like to find some new friends, dates, and relationships with other half-Jewish people. (See our "Half-Jewish Network Events Information").
Some of us want to see movies with half-Jewish characters and visit museums and art events with half-Jewish themes.
We'd like to read and discuss books about half-Jewish people. We'd be interested in learning more about other half-Jewish people in history -- can we order in some role models to go, please?
Many of us live in areas where we feel isolated from other half-Jewish people. We hope that other half-Jewish people will start posting on this website's forum, so we can talk with them. (See "Half-Jewish Network Members Forum").
Some of us want a little help in getting a Half-Jewish Network dinner group going in our geographic areas.
Many of us would like to talk about our families and find out if other interfaith families had experiences similar to our own.
A number of us are looking for ways to explore cultural or spiritual aspects of Judaism in a one-step-at-a-time manner that doesn't require a commitment to Judaism the minute we walk into a secular or spiritual organization.
Some of us identify as cultural Jews, and some of us identify as spiritual Jews, but we can't find a welcoming Jewish cultural or spiritual group. Hopefully other half-Jewish people will have some good suggestions for us.
Some of us are contented Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, but we'd like to learn more about our Jewish "half" in ways that don't involve leaving our current faith or culture. Some of us are Jews who are curious about our "other half."
A number of us want the Half-Jewish Network to help us speak up for ourselves the next time a Jewish organization releases a "Who Is A Jew?" statement or report that is negative about us or harms our interests. We're tired of keeping silent. We'll send the emails, please tell us who to write!
Some of us experience anti-Semitism, and we're annoyed, but we don't have a good way to talk about it, as the literature on anti-Semitism is directed towards born Jews, Christians, and Muslims. We hope that other half-Jewish people have suggestions on how to deal with anti-Semitism from our special perspective.
A number of us wonder how we can discuss Israel and the Palestinians in ways that take into account our interfaith parentage. What do other half-Jewish people think about these issues? What happens to half-Jewish people in Israel and Palestinian territories?
Some of us are trying to find clergy -- rabbis, ministers and/or other spiritual guides -- who have empathy and consideration for our complex backgrounds and families. Some of us are intermarrying as our parents did. How are we going to raise our kids?
We have found very few research studies about us. What do they say? Are they accurate? How can we encourage more research on us and ensure that it is accurate?
We welcome additional suggestions for activities. Contact us at: binarystar@aol.com
WHO STARTED THE HALF-JEWISH NETWORK?
The Half-Jewish Network was organized by Robin Margolis, our Coordinator, assisted by a volunteer Board.
We also welcome advice and assistance from other adult children and descendants of intermarriage.
Feedback and help from interested Jews, Christians, and members of other faiths and cultures is much appreciated as well.
(See "The Leadership & Board of the Half-Jewish Network" for more information about our founders.)
HOW DO OUR MEMBERS IDENTIFY?
Our Coordinator, Robin Margolis, is the adult child of a Polish Jewish Orthodox mother and an Episcopalian WASP father.
She was raised Episcopalian, and joined Judaism as an adult. For many years she led a Jewish Renewal women's havurah, and also taught introductory Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) classes.
She is currently enrolled in an independent rabbinic program. She is also working on an "Inclusivist Judaism" project and identifies as an Inclusivist Jew with a "culturally Christian half" (strong emotional ties to her Christian family and their rich Scots-English-Dutch Protestant heritage).
Other members of the Half-Jewish Network are equally diverse in their self-identifications and affiliations, ranging from people who consider themselves to be patrilineal Jews, matrilineal Jews, Christians, seculars, members of other faiths or cultures, "both," "none," or "undecided."
We are truly a "coat of many colors."
As we grow, we hope to do a survey of our members to understand their diverse identities and histories better. (See "Half-Jewish Network Survey.")
WHAT ARE WE CURRRENTLY DOING?
We have monthly dinners/lunches, where we talk about various topics we're interested in and enjoy being with others who share our background.
We have begun hearing from adult children and other descendants of intermarriage in both the United States and in Europe, and look forward to hearing from those located on other continents. If you would like to start a monthly dinner or lunch group in your area, please let us know.
We are also currently gathering the names and email addresses of adult children and other descendants of intermarriage for a survey we plan to do in the near future.
We have begun advocacy for adult children and other descendants of intermarriage within various Jewish outreach and interfaith family organizations.
We welcome suggestions for additional activities.