Friday, September 18, 2009

Mixed Marriage in the NYTimes But Not In the Wedding Section

Mixed Marriage Woes

My soon-to-be mother-in-law, who is Jewish, never had a problem with me as a non-Jew — until now. She’s worried that I’m “indoctrinated” in Christianity and will force my views on our future children. But I wasn’t raised a Christian, nor do I consider myself one. My fiancé and I have tried explaining this to her several times, and I’ve agreed that our children will be raised Jewish. But it never seems to sink in.

Anonymous


Sounds like a perfect vehicle for Joan Rivers and Blake Lively. We’ll call it “Guess Who’s Coming to Seder?”

Interfaith issues can be tricky. But since we’re dealing with only one faith here (and one non-faith) [stupid. it's one faith that's isn't Jewish], this one isn’t exactly a brain-teaser. Plus, it sounds as if you’ve already handled the issue — and nicely, too.

Your imminent mother-in-law may be anxious about sonny-boy growing up and moving on — or she may have wanted a Jewish bride for him. But those are her issues to deal with, not yours, and she probably will, over time. [but it is also the husband-to-be's issues, no matter what his opinion be of which, somehow, we do not know anything]

Try to be as patient as possible. But make sure you feel supported by your fiancé and let him know when you don’t. And if I were you, I might not invite Big Momma to any Easter egg hunts in the near future.


Hello dear. Your children can't be Jewish if you are not Jewish. That's why you mother-in-law-to-be is upset.

Of course, if religion means nothing to you, why not go through a conversion process just for the heck of it. Then everyone will be happy, especially in another 20 years when your child decides that he/she would like to marry a Jew who is a bit more demanding and comitted to his/her religious values.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It seems like the Jewish mother was fine with her son's interfaith relationship until it became serious.

As stated above the main reason that the mother is upset is because under Jewish law her grandchildren won't be Jewish.

I don't understand Jewish men who intermarry then demand that their children be raised Jewish even if they're Gentiles. That is absolutely ridicoulous!

How can this woman plan to raise Jewish children when she has no clue about Judaism? It's impossible for Gentile women to raise Jewish children. Only Jewish women can give birth to and raise Jewish children.

When a Jewish man marries a Gentile woman he has made the decision to have non-Jewish children. These Gentile lovers are in denial.