Interfaith Educational Resources Winter 2019
INTERFAITH FAMILY RESOURCES
We are starting to encounter more resources for interfaith families, and although the majority are for Abrahamic inter-marrieds (Christian, Jewish, Muslim), a few are for couples from any faith tradition. We are always open to suggestions of resources our followers find valuable. Email Lisa Patriquin, Program Director for Youth and Young Adults, at lisapatriquin@theguibordcenter.org
Books for Adults
Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family by Susan Katz Miller. Useful for couples and families that would like to honor, educate and practice both Judaism and Christianity. Research and commentary based on both surveys and interview data, database well as personal experience of the author. Wonderful resources listed at the end, some of which are highlighted below:
The Interfaith Family Journal by Susan Katz Miller will be available on March 15, 2019 from Skinner House Books or preorder on Amazon. Couples and families from any different faith backgrounds (or none) should find it helpful. A five-week program with interactive exercises, creative activities, suggesting for dealing with extended family, and strategies for connecting to local communities. Might be a useful resource to combine with Spiritual Playdate (see below) to start your own interfaith support community!
Til Faith Do US Part: How Interfaith Marriage is Transforming America by Naomi Schaefer Riley.
An examination of trends in interfaith marriage in the United States based on a nationwide survey of 2,500 respondents, and in-depth interviews with couples, religious leaders and marriage counselors.
Pew Research Center: Religion and Public Life. In-depth publications based on large scale surveys on a wide variety of topics related to religion.
Recent reports on interfaith marriage in the US:
http://www.pewforum.org/2016/10/26/one-in-five-u-s-adults-were-raised-in-interfaith-homes/
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/06/02/interfaith-marriage/
Books for Kids and Teens
Todd Parr writes and illustrates wonderful books for young children that have direct, uplifting messages that reflect the values of the great religious and spiritual traditions of the world and promote inclusion.
There are several beautiful books out now based on classic songs. Check out these titles:
What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss. Illustrated by Tom Hopgood.
One Love adapted by Cedella Marley. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. With downloadable activity pages.
Every Little Thing adapted by Cedella Marley. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton.
Goodreads lists books its members recommend. For example, check out this list of 31 books for kids and teens from families with one Jewish parent. The readers who put the list together emphasize that the books are not about religion but address aspects of growing up in religious and secular Jewish interfaith homes.
https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/104155.Interfaith_Kids_and_Teens_
Explore other Goodreads lists related to interfaith issues and various faith traditions.
Organizations
An online resource for families that want to get together with families from other faith traditions to learn more about each other’s beliefs and practices. There are lessons (“Soul Talks”) for different age groups that cover broad topics like Love, Forgiveness, World Religions, God, Heaven and Hell, Sacred Spaces, etc. Current materials are for children ages 5 -10 years old, but they are developing materials for pre-teens and teens.
Spiritual Playdate offers three membership tiers: Basic Free but limited access to resources), Premium (at $24/year this looks like fantastic deal, with access to all the website’s resources) and Affiliate (an institutional membership for houses of worship, schools or other organizations/individuals that would like to help organize and facilitate Spiritual Playdate groups in their area.
Interfaith Community: Two Religions, One Family
Muslim Christian Interfaith Families (mentioned previously in TGC recommends Fall 2018). A closed Facebook group for couples and families in the US and Canada. Moderated by Katie and Shaan Akbar, this group began in March 2018 and has rapidly expanded to over 300 members who offer support to one another about dating, marriage, raising children and many other topics. To request that you be added to the group, search for them on Facebook and send them a message.
