“There’s a place for you at PAS if some members of your family are not Jewish. You are welcome here! We will help you untangle balancing holiday traditions, the expectations of your extended families, and deciding what to teach your children about faith.”
Rabbi Neil Zuckerman
PAS is a Jewish Community that welcomes all. We are here to provide education and guidance to anyone interested in becoming Jewish.
Start your journey with an introduction to Jewish history, tradition, and culture. Pathways is designed for those who want a deeper connection to Judaism, whether you are considering conversion, learning more about your partner’s background, or reconnecting to your community of origin.
For more information about the work of the committee or our conversion program, please contact Rabbi Neil Zuckerman at 212-369-2600, x121.
Meet the Co-chair
Spotlight on Linda Yarden
Seeking a place in which to raise a Jewish family, Linda and her husband Chris joined PAS, unsure of the welcome that their interfaith family would receive, wondering if they would fit in, and whether PAS membership would fulfill their complex spiritual needs.
Over time, from their earliest days at Penn Family Early Childhood Center, through the Bnei Mitzvah of their children, Linda and Chris made a series of choices, some large, but many small – first, simply to show up at Purim Spiels and Mitzvah Days, concerts and lectures, and then to chair a trip (or three!) and join committees, all of which allowed them to develop ties and to integrate into the community.
ABOUT US
THE COMMITTEE
A number of PAS families include one or more members of the household who are of a faith other than Jewish. The Interfaith Committee aims to serve as a resource for those families. We are a forum for discussing and responding to the ritual, educational, and social support needs and challenges of interfaith families—both those of our members and those in the wider community. In addition, we will assist in providing a path to Judaism for those who seek conversion. Currently, we are looking at our educational offerings, “best practices” in the field, developing membership information, and examining our internal and external communications strategies.
GOALS
- Address the ritual, educational and social support needs of interfaith families who already are affiliated with PAS and to provide a welcoming environment for potential new members.
- Provide educational and social support for couples who are in committed relationships who are wrestling with challenges that arise because of their different faith backgrounds.
- Provide appropriate paths to conversion for individuals who choose to pursue such a path.