Jewish on their own terms
Book Description
In a time when more than half of American Jewish children grow up in interfaith households, a profound transformation is reshaping the landscape of Jewish identity and practice. Jennifer A. Thompson ventures beyond conventional narratives to explore the authentic experiences of families navigating the intersection of tradition and modern American life.
Through careful ethnographic research, Thompson illuminates the stories of intermarried couples and the Jewish educators who support them, revealing how these families are creating meaningful spiritual paths on their own terms. Rather than viewing intermarriage through the lens of cultural anxiety or assimilation, she examines the genuine concerns and aspirations that drive these families as they forge new expressions of Jewish life.
The book explores how American cultural values intersect with traditional Jewish practices, particularly examining the roles that emerge when non-Jewish partners take responsibility for nurturing Jewish identity in their children. Thompson reveals how interfaith families, like many Americans, wrestle with balancing individual choice, universal spiritual truths, and obligations to family heritage.
By focusing on lived experience rather than institutional perspectives, Jewish on Their Own Terms offers readers insight into how contemporary families are reimagining religious belonging. Thompson presents a nuanced portrait that moves beyond simple categories of tradition versus modernity, showing instead how interfaith couples are actively constructing new forms of American Judaism that honor both personal authenticity and spiritual connection.
This ethnographic study provides valuable understanding for anyone interested in how religious identity evolves within diverse family structures.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 200 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Jews, united states, history
- ✓ Strengthen your marriage spiritually
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Strengthen your faith journey
- ✓ Explore Marriage, religious aspects, judaism
- ✓ Explore Intermarriage
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Cultural assimilation
