From Prohibition to Possibility: Jewish Intermarriage Through the Ages

From the Bible to “Sex and the City,” Jewish intermarriage has been debated, prohibited, embraced, and redefined. In this class, we’ll explore how attitudes toward intermarriage have shifted over time, using both gender and historical change as lenses. We’ll read the ancient text prohibiting intermarriage, examine contemporary analyses from Pew Research, and watch clips from popular culture—including Sex and the City and Nobody Wants This. No prerequisites are required. This class welcomes Jews and beloveds of other faith backgrounds, clergy and educators, and communal professionals.

Dr. Keren R. McGinity is an internationally known scholar-activist and a research associate at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute at Brandeis University. She is a 2018 Forward honoree of America’s 50 most influential Jews for her clarion call for a Jewish response to the #MeToo Movement, a Boston Top Pick, and a Jewish feminist highlight by Lilith Magazine 2023.
Dr. McGinity was the first interfaith specialist at the United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism and the founding director of the Interfaith Families Jewish Engagement graduate program at Hebrew College. Her pioneering books, Still Jewish: A History of Women & Intermarriage in America (NYU Press 2009), a National Jewish Book Award Finalist, and Marrying Out: Jewish Men, Intermarriage & Fatherhood (Indiana Univ. Press 2014), provided groundbreaking analyses about Jewish continuity by focusing on gender and change over time. Her newest book is #UsToo: How Jewish, Muslim, & Christian Women Changed Our Communities (Routledge 2023). She was the Mandell L. Berman postdoctoral research fellow in contemporary American Jewish life at the University of Michigan's Frankel Center for Jewish Studies and earned her PhD from Brown University.

Who are these classes for?

Our classes are for everyone—whether you’re brand new to the topic or have been engaging with it for years, we encourage participation from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Unless otherwise noted, no prior knowledge or experience is needed. Not sure if a class is for you? Email us at Learning@Lehr.haus!

Why are there tickets at different prices?

Our tickets utilize a Pay-What-You-Can model so attendees can pay a range of prices based on what they are able to pay to allow for greater accessibility. Please select the price point that feels right for you.

Can I eat during class?

While we do not serve food in the study, you are welcome to order and enjoy drinks during class and join us for a meal before or after class. We highly recommend making a reservation if you know you'll be dining with us. Visit www.lehr.haus/reservation to check availability and book a table.