Question: Advice for Jewish mother with daughter marrying wonderful non-Jewish man
My Jewish daughter (41) is getting married! Her fiancee is not Jewish. He has not indicated he would like to convert, and my daughter does not want to pressure him to do so. He is a fine person and they are extremely happy together. He attends synagogue with her, is interested in our Jewish culture and supportive of Israel, and wants her to raise their child Jewish. Any advice you could give me - the Jewish mother who wants the best for her daughter?
Answer: Mazal tov on the engagement of your daughter. How fortunate you are to have a prospective son-in-law who is such a fine person, who makes your daughter so happy, and who is so warmly supportive of your daughter's Judaism.
There are many Reform rabbis who would be only too delighted to perform a Jewish wedding ceremony for an interfaith couple who wishes to create an exclusively Jewish household and raise Jewish children. It may take a bit of work to find one in your daughter's area, but its worth looking for a good one because they are out there.
At some point, I think it would be appropriate for someone (but probably not you) to tell this fine young man, "You would make a wonderful Jew. Have you ever considered converting?" Perhaps the rabbi at the synagogue they attend would be the right person to ask that question.
Best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
