Two Faiths, One Couple

Intermarriage – marriage between a Jew and a non-Jew – has long been a divisive subject in the Jewish community, although it was relatively rare in the United States until the 1960s.  The issue has been debated over the centuries, with most authorities arguing against its sanction; it can still be difficult for couples to find an officiant who will perform their ceremony.

Even when both members of the couple are Jewish there are plenty of pitfalls. Different movements, and even congregations within a movement, have different, and occasionally opposing, customs and expectations. If an Orthodox woman wants to marry a Reform man, or a boy from an Ashkenazi family gets engaged to a Sephardic girl, choices will have to be made, and compromise may be required… but how many compromises can be made before a custom or ritual loses its meaning altogether?

And if compromise is not enough, whose choices ‘win,’ and what are the consequences?  Despite these challenges, Americans have braved the difficulties and created their own meaningful ceremonies for over a century.