Creating Jewish home life

“Are you a non-Jewish mother raising a Jewish child?”

“When I read the advertisement for this class, I knew it was perfect for me,” said Mary, a mother in Atlanta, about the Mothers’ Circle group she joined there. “I even rearranged my work schedule to be able to attend the classes.” Closer to home, a Rhode Island mom was so excited to participate because she had “wanted something just like this.” Another woman said she and her husband “nearly fell off their chairs” when they read about it, it was so perfect for them.

The Rhode Island Mothers’ Circle’s first meeting was on Thursday, September 18, at the JCC, and participating mothers who are not Jewish and who are raising Jewish children will learn about creating Jewish homes. Sponsored by the Jewish Outreach Institute, the Mothers’ Circle is a free and welcoming educational program for mothers of other faiths who are raising Jewish children. Meeting twice a month for eight months, this interactive program explores Jewish holidays, practices, rituals, and ethics while empowering its participants to create Jewish homes.

“Raising children is difficult enough without the pressure of instilling a ‘foreign’ religious identity,” said Mary. “Sitting in a room for nine months with 13 other moms with children of various ages – from infants to teenagers ­ – talking through the issues made the task seem a little less complicated.”

According to Laura, also from Atlanta, “The program gives a great foundation because it is structured to give a bit of background about Jewish holidays, life cycle events and traditions that we will encounter, along with a ‘how-to’ to begin living Jewishly. We are encouraged to take small steps until or unless we are ready for more. The Mothers’ Circle program has given me a safe comfortable place to talk frankly about my concerns and feelings about living a Jewish life even though I am not Jewish.”

Mothers in all family constellations are welcome, and they need not be affiliated with a Jewish institution or have any prior knowledge. Free child care is provided. The local group, made possible through the generosity of the Helene and Bertram Bernhardt Foundation, is already filling, though a few spots are still open. Women are welcome to join the group through October 16.

After the class ended, Laura said, “I think the biggest change for me is that I feel more confident than ever around my many Jewish friends to be who I am! I am not afraid to ask questions of anyone.”

To register, or for more information, contact Kit Haspel, Mothers’ Circle coordinator, at 331-0956, extension 184, or khaspel@bjeri.org.