Unlocking Jewish

etrog

Hanukkah: December 7 to December 15

This Jewish holiday, which lasts eight days, celebrates both a military victory and a miracle.

Hanukkah: December 7 to December 15

This Jewish holiday, which lasts eight days, celebrates both a military victory and a miracle.




We’re Here For You

Couples & Weddings

In a relationship where one of you is Jewish – and the other isn’t? We can help you connect with Jewish. Questions about holidays, lifecycle events or even about the day-to-day relationship challenges? We’re here with guidance – and have been sharing Jewish interfaith knowledge since 1999.

Families

What happens when Hanukkah falls on Christmas? How do you help your child feel included at Hebrew school when only one of you is Jewish? What’s a matzah ball? Regardless of your background or involvement in Jewish life, we have tools, guides, learning experiences and events – both virtual and local – designed by Jewish interfaith experts to help you feel more confident in Jewish.

Jewish Leaders & Organizations

We provide institutions and organizations with the tools and programming you need. We have a deep understanding of interfaith couples’ needs and can help you effect change from within.

NEW! Create Your Own Wedding Ceremony Script


Planning a Jewish/interfaith wedding ceremony? Learn about Jewish wedding rituals and use this new tool to select the ones you want in your ceremony. Choose from different options to create your own custom script for your officiant.

wedding chuppah

Welcome to 18Doors


We’re here to support you. Watch to learn more.

Upcoming Events

Sun 03

Sing Along…It’s Chanukah! (Toronto)

December 3 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm EST
Whether it’s your first time lighting the candles or you’re looking to rekindle that old flame, we invite you to warm up with us for a musical festival of light! Learn the greatest hits and discover new favourites from the Chanukah songbook. This workshop, led by Rabbi Ryan Leszner, will take place in person at the Miles Nadal JCC. All are welcome regardless of identity, experience or ability.
Wed 06

Beyond Mazel Tov: A Discussion of Effective Communication with Engaged Interfaith Couples (National)- Online

December 6 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST
As Rabbis and Cantors, we know that the importance of saying the right words is critical to overcome the stigma, shame and need for validation among interfaith couples. And the right words are often hard to find. Join 18Doors Rukin Rabbinic Fellow Alumnus Rabbi Boris Dolin to brush up on best practices in effective communications with recently-engaged interfaith couples.
Thu 07

Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights (Boston)

December 7 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST
Join us for an unforgettable evening of musical performances, spotlight talks with museum curators, arts & crafts activities, loads of giveaways, delightful treats, and engaging art experiences for the whole family. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the museum during this exclusive after-hours access.
Thu 07

To Tree or Not to Tree: A December Discussion (National)-Online

December 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm EST
18Doors is teaming up with Secular Synagogue's Rabbi Denise Handlarski, a rabbi in an interfaith marriage and author of “The A-Z of Intermarriage,” to discuss how interfaith couples approach December holidays. Come share how you do the holidays (or join us if you haven’t decided yet), and hear from other interfaith couples. We’ll light Hanukkah candles together and help couples and families lead with your values to create joyous and meaningful holidays.
Sun 10

Hanukkah in the Park (Atlanta)

December 10 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm EST
Join 18Doors and other Jewish organizations in Atlanta for a delightful in-person celebration on the fourth night of Hanukkah in the Park! Bring your loved ones, a hanukkiah (menorah), 5 candles (4 candles for the 4th night plus the shamash, or helper, candle), foil (to put under your hanukkiah), a lighter and a picnic dinner, which we'll all enjoy together after the candle lighting.
Jan 11

Embracing the “Interfaith” in Wedding Ceremonies (National) -Online

January 11, 2024 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EST
Spend an hour learning from and with other rabbis and cantors about ensuring that interfaith wedding ceremonies you officiate at represent both partners' backgrounds. Rabbis Robyn Frisch and Jen Gubitz will share practical tips and examples of how to create a ceremony where both the Jewish partner and the partner from another faith tradition feel seen and represented at their wedding ceremony. Plus, you’ll get time to share your best practices and tips with each other.
Jan 11

In This Together: Navigating Your Interfaith Relationship in a Time of War (National)- Online

January 11, 2024 @ 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST
The outbreak of war in the Middle East has been shocking, scary and painful for many. Couples that come from different backgrounds may experience additional difficulty and challenge when processing and discussing this war. Join 18Doors, Rabbi Emily Hyatt and Jessica Moskowitz, LCSW, to discuss how the war is impacting you and your partner, while gaining skills to better communicate with and support one another.
Jan 21

Compassionate Conversations: Engaging in dialogue about Israel (Atlanta)

January 21, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm EST
If you’ve been longing for a space to exhale since October 7th, we invite you to join a small group of interfaith couples for an afternoon of conversation and community. As partners and families, we have been navigating a multitude of feelings, challenges, and questions. We aim to create a space for checking in and conversation--where we can hold our partner’s and our community’s vulnerabilities with openness, care and compassion. Join us for a nosh (bite to eat) and a deep breath as we explore what is coming up for us now and how we can best support each other in the days ahead.
Jan 23

You’re Welcoming A Baby! Naming and Rituals for Interfaith Parents (National)-Online

January 23, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST
Welcoming a baby into your life is such a joy and also comes with having to make a lot of decisions. For parents from different faith backgrounds, the decisions can be difficult to make. Do you have a baby naming ceremony, a bris (ritual circumcision) and/or some other ritual to welcome your baby into your family? Join Rabbi Simone Schicker who will share with expectant parents the different welcoming ceremonies and rituals interfaith couples may choose to have.
Feb 07

Our Year of Firsts: Parenting Edition (Cincinnati)

February 7, 2024 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST
Our Year of Firsts: Parenting Edition will launch a new parenting program targeting interfaith couples in their first ~18 months of being parents as a partnership between a national leader in interfaith engagement, 18Doors, and Rabbi Meredith Kahan of Rockdale Temple. The goal is to provide low barrier settings for participants to build community, connections and confidence in participating in Jewish life and raising Jewish children.