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Welcome!


Are you looking for Jewish clergy for your upcoming wedding or baby naming? Seeking help on your journey to conversion? If you’re looking for guidance with a lifecycle event or to find inclusive Jewish events and meet other interfaith couples at your life stage, we’re here to help you. We are thrilled to have a Rukin Rabbinic Fellow, Rabbi Peter Rigler, here in Philadelphia to support you.

Rabbi Peter and our other Rukin Fellows throughout the U.S. and Canada offer programming for interfaith/intercultural couples and families to discuss relevant issues. We hope you’ll join Rabbi Peter for programs and workshops, which include opportunities to reflect on your backgrounds, differences and similarities and discuss your hopes, plans and dreams for the future. He is also available for one-on-one consultations and to refer you to local Jewish clergy and organizations that welcome interfaith/intercultural couples and families. Contact him at rabbipeter@18doors.org.

Our Events


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.
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 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.

Meet Rabbi Rigler- Rukin Rabbinic Fellow

Rabbi Peter Rigler is the Rabbi of Temple Sholom in Broomall, Pa. Rabbi Rigler was ordained by the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2002. He served as the Associate Rabbi at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, Pa. for seven years. He engages in all aspects of Jewish living, including: leading worship services; officiating weddings, funerals, b’nai mitzvah ceremonies and baby namings; and teaching in the Religious School and Lifelong Learning program.

His wife, Rabbi Stacy Rigler, is the Executive Director of the Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE). They have three children: Maya, Nathan, and Eli. Rabbi Rigler loves running and time with his family. He leads with warmth, humor, knowledge and a rich passion for Reform Judaism.

Meet Rabbi Cherney – Rukin Rabbinic Fellow (Alumni)

Rabbi Elyssa Cherney leads lifecycle rituals for couples and families in Philadelphia who aren’t affiliated with a particular synagogue. The most important aspect of her work is helping others mark time through rituals big and small. She created the website tacklingtorah.com to help people connect their Judaism to holy moments in their lives. Rabbi Elyssa engages the Philadelphia Jewish community at pop-up style events or co-hosting with other local Jewish non-profits. As a Rukin Rabbinic Fellow, she loves helping others explore how to talk about Jewish traditions in their interfaith homes. Rabbi Elyssa acts as a spiritual guide helping families navigate the joys and challenges of bringing different religious and/or cultural identities to the table. She is grateful to her partner Alan and kiddos Ava Jane and Zeke for supporting her in this work.