Interfaith Community for Jewish-Christian Families on Long Island

With the rate of intermarriage on the rise, so too is the need for resources that support interfaith couples and families. 

The Interfaith Community is a members-led association of Jewish-Christian couples and families that was developed to meet this need.  It offers a wide variety of programming ranging from formal discussion groups that help interfaith couples explore the role of religion in their lives to educational programs about both faith traditions to Bible classes for children to family holiday celebrations of the major holidays in both Judaism and Christianity.

The Interfaith Community has chapters all over the metro-NY area.  The Long Island chapter of the Interfaith Community was started in 2005 by Pam Gawley, a former member of the NYC chapter, and Long Island resident Sarah Cirker.    

Determined to create a community for their families that honored both traditions and provided a place to educate their children, they launched the Long Island Chapter. Over the past seven years, the range of programs has expanded greatly, along with its membership. Clergy from both religions work with the group and they have relationships with neighboring churches and synagogues.

The Long Island chapter draws its members from throughout Nassau County (both North and South Shore), as well as from Queens, Brooklyn and Suffolk Counties. 

The first event for 2012-2013 on Long Island is Rosh Hashanah Services on September 16th held at the Brookville Reformed Church.  To learn more, please visit their website: www.interfaithcommunity.org or contact the Long Island chapter directly at ifclongisland@earthlink.net.