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A Year of Stories and New Beginnings: IFFP’s Annual Report 2023-2024
We are excited to share the Interfaith Families Project’s (IFFP) Annual Report for FY 2023-2024! As we approach IFFP’s 30th anniversary, this report captures a year of vibrant storytelling, meaningful initiatives, and a deepened commitment to our interfaith community. Celebrating Our Stories This past year, IFFP focused on the power of our interfaith stories, culminating…
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Unveiling Our 30th Anniversary Theme: Diving for Pearls
It is with great pleasure that we introduce IFFP’s theme for 2024-2025. As our community enters our 30th year, we found inspiration in the traditional 30th-anniversary gift tradition – pearls. Using this as our inspiration, we arrived at a theme that we believe will give us all much to explore and discover together: “Diving for…
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Tune In: IFFP’s Leaders Discuss Creating Space for Interfaith Families
Curious about how the Interfaith Families Project (IFFP) in Montgomery County brings together Christian and Jewish interfaith families? Listen to Rev. Samantha Gonzalez-Block and Rabbi Debbie Reichmann share their insights on navigating religious diversity, fostering community, and embracing shared traditions. In this interview with WYPR’s On The Record, they discuss the unique challenges and joys that…
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Simple and Bold
Adapted from Rev. Samantha Gonzalez-Block’s sermon, delivered on Sunday, June 7th at St. Mark Presbyterian Church (North Bethesda, Maryland) What does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8 When I think about summertime, I can’t help but think about…
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Navigating Interfaith Parenting: Insights from the Newbies Podcast
Introduction Raising a child is an incredible journey, filled with joys, challenges, and countless decisions. For parents coming from different faith backgrounds, this journey can be even more complex and rewarding. The latest episode of the Newbies podcast delves into the intricacies of interfaith parenting, offering insights and advice from parents navigating this unique path.…
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Our Living Stories: Celebrating a Year of Interfaith Family Journeys
This past year, our interfaith community’s theme was “Our Living Stories.” Together, we embarked on a storytelling journey. Our biblical texts came to life in new and unexpected ways. We became vulnerable storytellers in formal and informal ways. Here are a few of the (of the many) stories we will cherish: Personal storytelling also played a…
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PRESS RELEASE: Interfaith Families Project Says Farewell to Reverend Beth McCracken-Harness, Director of Religious Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE North Bethesda, Maryland – June 5, 2024 – The Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington (IFFP) bids a fond farewell to Reverend Beth McCracken-Harness, who is stepping down as Director of Religious Education after 15 years of dedicated service. Rev. Beth’s last day at IFFP was June 2, 2024. During her tenure, Rev. Beth has…
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Interfaith Families Tell Their Stories
At the start of fall, Rabbi Debbie and Reverend Sam introduced the theme for the year: “Our Living Stories.” This theme was the inspiration for an IFFP storytelling event entitled: Real Life Stories from Interfaith Families, held on April 28th at Busboys and Poets: Takoma Park. The sold-out evening celebrated the power of stories and…
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Rabbi Debbie’s Supplemental Haggadah Readings for Passover 2024
Passover this year feels different from previous years. The world is in great turmoil; tensions are high and tempers are frayed. As you gather around your Seder table, you might be looking for some different perspectives for yourselves or to share. Below are some readings I have collected in light of this. Many of them…
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Embracing the Sacred Connection: Earth Day Reflections on the Tree of Life
As Earth Day approaches this year, falling on April 22nd, 2024, it prompts us to pause and reflect on the profound environmental challenges our planet faces. The roots of our environmental consciousness often intertwine with spiritual and religious teachings, emphasizing our interconnectedness with the natural world. This sentiment is echoed across diverse faith traditions, from…
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Embracing the Sacred Silence: Finding Comfort and Connection in Moments of Quiet Reflection
There is that sacred silent moment on Shabbat when the candles have just been lit and hands gently wave in the air and cover one’s eyes. There is that sacred silent moment during prayer when your hands are clasped together, your eyes close, and your head gently bows down. There is that sacred silent moment…
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Believing in the Impossible: Lessons from Easter and Diana Nyad
Diana Nyad wanted nothing more than to achieve the impossible. Her last name “Nyad” means water nymph and she took that name very seriously. In the 1970s Diana, had become famous for attempting these long-distance, seemingly impossible swims. She swam around the island of Manhattan (water most people actively avoid) and from the Bahamas to Florida. But…
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advent Being Both catholic Chanukah christian Christmas clergy community couples Easter environment epiphany esther faith families family god Hanukah Hanukkah hebrew holidays holocaust hope IFFP inclusion interfaith interfaith families interfaith family jesus jewish justice lent love Moses Passover prayer rabbi Rabbi Debbie Rabbi Debbie Reichmann racial justice Rev. Samantha Gonzalez-Block reverend Reverend Sam seder sunday school Susan Katz Miller tikkun olam torah virtual wedding