If you’re in an interfaith relationship and want some help to make it stronger, Jewish Family Services might have just the thing for you. The organization is offering a workshop Nov. 12 aimed at keeping these relationships strong and providing tools for better communication.
“I know it will be an opportunity to connect with other couples, and it will be interactive,” said facilitator Debra Grayson. “I might give couples some scenarios, and we might have some skill building exercises.”
Grayson is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist with JFS who has spent more than 30 years working with couples and families. Her efforts help to educate, support and strengthen family, marital, personal and organizational relationships.
The program will take a general look at how to manage difference and improve communication skills, but other issues may come up, depending on what couples who attend want to discuss.
“If there are other needs, then this would be an opportunity for those needs to come up and (for us to) learn what other needs there may be,” Grayson said.
Grayson said she’s heard from many people in their 20s and 30s who are interested in having more interfaith family and couples programming in the community.
The workshop isn’t just for married couples or young couples. People at any stage of their relationship and who may not have even considered marriage yet, may attend.
Although its counseling services are always available to interfaith couples, it’s been a few years since JFS has offered programs focused on interfaith relationships. In 2011, the organization worked with the Jewish Community Center on a program that presented a panel of people from the community sharing their stories of interfaith families.
“I think congregations are doing a much more proactive job of reaching out and making sure congregants are welcoming (these couples),” said Susie Hurst, director of family life education for JFS.
There are also more resources available online than there were in previous years. Recently, JFS has gotten several requests to put on more programs about interfaith relationships.
“When you have two individuals who are coming from different families of origin, trying to blend different styles and rituals,” there are challenges, Hurst said. “…With interfaith relationships, you’re trying to see how you can blend the needs of both families.”
Two of the biggest issues interfaith couples face is deciding how to raise children and how to handle the demands of extended family, she said.
“I think in general, Debra really focuses on building healthy relationships. The reality is that I think a lot of times couples are trying to figure what role Judaism will play in their future and how to engage with the Jewish community and how to have a successful relationship,” Hurst said.
JFS doesn’t plan its programming a year in advance, and that allows the organization to respond to community needs more quickly.
“The overall goal of family life education is to really respond to the community, rather than coming up with programming and throwing it out there and hoping people show up,” Hurst said. “We want to listen to the community and what their needs are. We have the unique ability to respond to people’s needs and interests.”
Workshop for Interfaith Couples: Supporting Healthy Relationships will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, at JFS Brookside East, 425 E. 63rd St. Entrance is $20 per couple, and financial assistance is available. To register, call 913-327-8259. JFS requests that couples register by Nov. 5.
For registration or questions, contact Family Life Education Director Susie Hurst at 913-327-8259 or email her at .