Minneapolis Federation for Jewish Service
A typical Jewish response to a community challenge is
to act immediately. At Sinai, our ancestors showed their
penchant for action by responding "we will do and we will
listen." When it comes to community planning for intermarried
families, it's best to reverse the adage to "we will listen
and we will do."
The Intermarried Families Taks Force of the Minneapolis
Federation for Jews Service's Department of Identity
and Continuity recently approved three programs for
intermarried families. In 1996-97, the Task Force hopes
to implement an outreach program called "A Taste of
Judaism," developed by the Uniono f American Hebrew
Congregations. 
This 3-part program will be run as a unique collaboration
of Federations, synagogues, and the Outreach Department
of the UAHC. The Task Force will also be organizing
a working conference for lay and professionals, in which
the Task Force research will be shared and suggestions
for programs and services for intermarried families
will be developed. Finally, plans are underway for producing
a community newsletter for intermarried families that
welcomes them to participate in the life of the community.
By resisting the usual impulse to act immediately,
and by doing demographic research, holding focus groups,
writing a Task Force mission statement, surveying other
communities ans listening to one another, we approved
programs that were built on sold foundation of research.
I highly recommend using JOI as a resource--it is the
best organization for information on intermarriage.
Perhaps that is the most valuable advice for planning--take
the time to listen, and you will find the right course
of action.
Rabbi Hayim Herring
Minneapolis Federation/Jewish Service Director
Dept. of Identity & Continuity
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