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Culture change doesn’t come easily.  It is slow and almost imperceptible.  But it can be seen, especially by people who have been observing for a long time.

Manhattan, New York, has long been a fount of American Jewish culture.  I use the word “culture” to mean all the stuff we learn, especially while growing up, about how to be and do and think about what we define as “us.”  

We define ourselves by the foods we like (“Jews don’t eat Pastrami on white bread! Are you kidding me?”), and the expressions that we use (“Sale, schmale, that’s no bargain!”)—by the attitudes that we hold toward everything from basketball to the Bible.

So, I’m fascinated when I see signals of real movement in culture. I read an article last month that seemed to be one of those signposts pointing to a shift in American Jewish culture.

Kate Fridkis is a blogger at EatTheDamnCake.com.    Her post of June 21 appeared on my google search, because her article was titled, “Can You be Jewish and Christian at the Same Time?”  

Kate Fridkis is Jewish.  Her fiancé is not.  She mentioned teaching at an organization in New York called Interfaith Community, which is located on Riverside Drive in Manhattan  I was intrigued by what she had to say about being both Jewish and Christian.  I also wanted to find out more about Interfaith Community.

Jewish-Gentile couples often think especially about their religious differences.  Kate Fridkis did that.  She rightly acknowledges that there are challenges in trying to synthesize the beliefs of Judaism and Christian faith.  Obviously, the most interesting discussion starts when the couple gets around to the subject of Jesus.

Jewish tradition will admit that He was Jewish and lived in a Jewish environment.  Gentiles often miss that cultural context.  Nevertheless, Gentile Christians embrace the Messiah of Israel who is God and King of the ages.  That is one big “elephant in the room” if you don’t try to discuss it with someone who is Jewish.

Ms. Fridkis bravely suggests that there are “Christian and Jewish traditions” that are worthy of examination.  She is right.  And they ought to be considered by Jews and Gentiles, with a boldness that can sometimes lead to treading on cultural icons.  However, at a time when Jewish-Gentile couples are the usual case under the chuppah, then each of those traditions needs to be discussed.

“Concepts like salvation, charity, heaven, prayer and what constitutes being a good person” are subjects for discussion at the Interfaith Community.  I think those are healthy topics to be considered by Jewish-Gentile couples and their children.  Individuals may need help with identity formation for their families and for children.  Even more, such conversations help tear down the walls of fear and open the window to finding spiritual harmony.

I might have asked Ms. Fridkis’ question a little differently. I would have put it this way, “Can Jews and Gentiles enjoy mutual faith in the Messiah?”  Yes, they can.  It just takes a little open-minded conversation.  It starts with, “Who is Jesus anyway?”

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