Skip to product information
1 of 1

The Status of a Non Jewish Spouse and Ch

Regular price $3.00
Regular price Sale price $3.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Since the 1960s, Conservative Judaism has grappled with unprecedented rates of intermarriage, forcing synagogues to navigate complex questions about the status of non-Jewish spouses and their children. Building upon Rabbi Max J. Routtenberg's 1963 responsum "The Jew Who Has Intermarried," this research establishes updated congregational policies through analysis of historical halakhic precedents, including the concepts of "God Fearers" and *ger toshav*, alongside current Conservative practices. While Jewish spouses in mixed marriages may maintain synagogue membership if their children are raised Jewish, non-Jewish spouses should not receive formal membership rights such as voting privileges or ritual honors like *aliyot*. Instead, the research proposes designating non-Jewish spouses as *re'im* (friends)—a special category acknowledging their transitional status while preserving distinctions from full Jewish membership. This framework addresses practical considerations including lifecycle events, religious education, and cemetery rights, advocating for policies that encourage conversion while maintaining halakhic standards. For children of non-Jewish mothers, formal conversion procedures including *milah* and *tevillah* remain necessary for full Jewish status. The resulting policy recommendations offer Conservative congregations a path to balance institutional integrity with pastoral sensitivity toward intermarried families.

View full details
  • Physical Description

  • Publication Information

    Published 1982

    ISBN

  • Publication Credits

    Kassel Abelson