cover image Mixed Blessings: Marriage Between Jews and Christians

Mixed Blessings: Marriage Between Jews and Christians

Paul Cowan. Doubleday Books, $18.95 (275pp) ISBN 978-0-385-19502-7

In An Orphan in History, Paul Cowan recounted his discovery of his Jewish heritage and his wife Rachel's decision to convert to Judaism after 15 years of marriage (she is now a rabbinical student). Here they explore interfaith marriages; how couples can confront conflicts directly and knowledgeably; and how to harmoniously blend some differences while preserving other enriching, distinctive ethnic and religious characteristics and customs. Based on data gleaned from workshops and interviews conducted by the authors, they maintain that ethno-religious backgrounds affect notions about education, food, sex, money and work, that even the most disaffected Jews usually want to raise their children as Jews, and that children want roots in one parent's religion but branches that extend to the other religion. Despite their avowed bias as committed Jews, the Cowans are fair-minded and compassionate, and interfaith couples, their families and the clergy will appreciate this authoritative, practical work. (September 18)