Holiday Resources for LGBTQ, Interfaith Families

Navigating December as an interfaith family can be both challenging and rewarding.

By Shira Burns | December 19, 2017

Keshet

Keshet is a national organization that works for LGBTQ equality in Jewish life. The organization equips Jewish leaders with tools to build LGBTQ-affirming communities, creates spaces for queer Jewish teens to feel valued and develop their own leadership skills, and mobilizes the Jewish community to fight for LGBTQ justice. Keshet’s blog spotlights this work, as well as the voices of LGBTQ Jews, our families, and allies.

For interfaith families and couples — particularly those who are Jewish and Christian — the month of December can be complex. With opportunities to focus on different traditions and rituals, holidays can shine light on what makes being in an interfaith relationship challenging and rewarding.

“An Interdenominational December: Family Traditions Old and New”: Keshet community members Kate and Ailsa share their unique way of blending traditions.
“Navigating December as Part of an Interfaith Couple” highlights the experiences of different LGBTQ interfaith couples.
InterfaithFamily’s “Guide to Hanukkah for Interfaith Families” includes resources like “To Tree or Not to Tree” and “Parenting During the Holidays.” Check out InterfaithFamily’s LGBT Resource Page for additional resources.
“Canceling Christmas”: “My job is to ensure that my son’s Jewish identity is strong enough to withstand the tsunami of Christmas and still protect the flame of the menorah. It is also my job to make sure that his world is big enough for both.”
MyJewishLearning’s “December Holiday Tips for Interfaith Parents” offers guidelines for making the holidays a family celebration, not a battleground.
“The December Dilemma” is a list of articles and resources for those grappling with–or simply wanting to learn more about–the “dilemma.”