“She’s not Jewish?

” Elie’s parents
wailed when he told them he was
dating Syma, the daughter of a
Christian mother and Muslim father.

“We didn’t want to disappoint our

families,” said Elie, “but our being
happy and standing up for what we
believe in was more important.”

Resistance from family members

was not the only hurdle for Elie
and Syma. As a couple from
very different backgrounds
they faced real issues about
child-rearing, holiday
celebrations, and spirituality.

“We were afraid to lose our own

identities,” Syma says. Before their
marriage, the couple attended a
Federation-supported Interfaith
Couples Workshop at their local
JCC. The class allowed them to
openly confront those important
and delicate questions with other
couples in the same situation.

Elie and Syma have decided to

raise their son Cyrus in a Jewish
home, observing Jewish rituals and
traditions while remaining respectful
of Syma’s multicultural background.

This is our community. These are

our values. These are the
programs. This is Federation.

THIS IS FEDERATION.
121 Steuart Street • San Francisco, CA 94105 • 415.777.0411 • www.sfjcf.org