LL_ said:
Any reason you are not including TSTI? Btw I am not a member of any of the shuls in town
gilora said:
I am the non-Jew in an interfaith couple and we belong to TSTI. If your wife is not Jewish, a conservative shul may not consider your (future) children to be Jews. TSTI recognizes patrilineal descent and will consider your children to be Jews for Hebrew school, etc.
The kehilla should provide Jewish education and social opportunities for all children up to the age of Bar/Bat Mitzvah (with appropriate counseling of interfaith families) and for Jewish children or those actively in the process of conversion older than age 13 as well.
ram said:
Conservative synagogues are required by their association with the Conservative body to follow the rules on wko isa jew. So they can try to be welcoming but can not consider a child with a non jewish mother as jewish unless there is a conversion. Nor can a Conservative rabbi even attend a mixed marriage.
My wife and I just moved into town a few months ago and are going to visit congregations Oheb Shalom and Beth El in the coming weeks. I would be interested to know if you belong to one or the other and how you've enjoyed your membership at either one or both. We don't have kids yet and are looking for an open, caring, diverse community where we can make friends.
Your insights are appreciated!
Cheers,
Andrew