Andrew and Chanda

He’s from Long Island.  She’s from Zambia.  How do they create a Jewish home, even when in Kosovo?

Read Andrew and Chanda's Story.

Gary and Mary



What's it like for everyone when a Catholic mom chooses to raise their children Jewish, even sending them to a Jewish Day School?

Read Gary and Mary's Story




Carol

Learn more about Carol's spiritual journey which took her from a Catholic church to a Conservative temple.


Read Carol's Story

Share Your JDI Story!

JDI is looking for past participants to share their experience! Be a part of the Sharing Our Stories section on JDI's website. Join Chadra, Andrew, Carol, Gary and Mary in helping others learn from your experience.  It is our goal to have a rotating collection of stories from participants from the 25 years of the program. Don't be shy! Email Rabbi David.
 

Become a Fan of JDI on Face Book!

Visit JDI on Facebook and become a fan you can connect with others and stay current with interfaith events.
Click here to become a fan!




More Stories Coming Soon

The Jewish Discovery Institute is Boston's resource for interfaith couples, families and individuals interested in learning about Conservative Judaism. We offer a wide variety of programs for interfaith couples, families and individuals interested in learning more about Judaism. From basic introduction experiences to in-depth conversion programs, from support groups to training seminars, we hope all of our programs add meaning, understanding, and comfort. JDI Misson

PROGRAMS

Fall 2010 Pathways to Judaism Starts Wednesday, September 1st

JDI's intensive 28-week course designed for people considering or planning to convert will open the world of Jewish tradition and understanding to those who have little or no background.  This continuously updated program (formerly known as the Gerim Institute) has helped thousands of people since the late 1960’s.  By fostering close relationships with the Rabbis/instructors and other participants, the program provides an important forum for sharing, support, and friendship.  Pathways combines excellent religious studies with significant Jewish experiences such as Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations and field trips.  

In designing this program, we are keenly aware this is not your typical adult education workshop.  This class recognizes and supports what may well be a major life change so we also include sessions with trained social workers and mentoring Rabbis.

The first session of the next class will be a High Holiday seminar on Wednesday, September 1st from 7:00pm-9:00pm at Temple Emanuel, 385 Ward Street, Newton. The class will continue on Wednesday night, October 6th (after the High Holidays) at the same time and continue thru May 2011.

There is a Fee for this program. For registration information, please contact Rabbi Braham David directly.

www.facebook.com/sharer.php


The Learner's Minyan

Co-Sponsored by Temple Emanuel
Meets bimonthly - 10 Shabbat (Saturday) Mornings 9:00-11:15 a.m. starting Oct 9th. There is no fee for the class, but we ask that everyone purchase siddur (prayer book) Eit Ratzon. This is a free program but we ask that you RSVP.  More info: 


Gathering the Waters
International Mikveh Conference
October 10 - 12, 2010
Clergy, educators, academics, seminary students and lay leaders will gather for an interdenominational exploration into how immersion can be a source of spiritual renewal and understanding for Jews in the 21st century.

Nationally renowned keynote speakers, workshop leaders and leading thinkers will gather for what is sure to be a lively examination of mikveh and its possibilities.

Online Registration will be available in April, 2010.

Conversion in the News
American Jews Battle Israeli Conversion Bill


Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families
Josh Nathan-Kazis writes in the Jewish Daily Journal, "As the heavily intermarried baby boomer generation ages, the wishes of families to be buried together is conflicting with tradition and could grow into a major challenge...... Read the Article

Keruv: Conservative Judaism Begins to Welcome Outreach
by Joanne Palmer
I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member,” Groucho Marx said, famously and apparently over and over again. For years, understandably, that was the Jewish world’s approach to outsiders. Go away. Don’t bother me. And when the Jewish community was lucky, it was left alone. When the outside world came pounding on the walls of the ghetto, it was rarely to marry the Jews who lived behind them. More recently, as recently as just a few decades ago, often the Jews who married non-Jews chose to leave the Jewish world behind them, their marriages part of a sometimes unconscious exit strategy.Things have changed. Now Jews and non- Jews mingle, seamlessly part of the same world. Now when Jews and non-Jews marry it’s not a statement of anything except love. READ MORE