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Chelsea Clinton's Interfaith Marriage, and Presiding Rabbi, Subject of NYT Articles

By Howard M. Friedman

Today's New York Times in two articles explores aspects of Chelsea Clinton's interfaith marriage last week end.  One article explores the conflicted feelings in the Jewish community over the marriage-- pride in the societal openness reflected by the marriage, but concern that interfaith marriages undermine the passing on of Jewish tradition. The second article explores the spiritual journey of Rabbi James Ponet, who co-officiated at the wedding. Indifferent about Judaism before college, he became obsessed with religion in college. He studied at Hebrew Union College for the rabbinate, spent eight years in Israel studying and returned to Yale as a deeply observant rabbi. About five years ago, however, he went through another change in which at least his outward observance lessened. He is described as deeply Jewish, but also very interested in other traditions.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on August 04, 2010 (boomark / email).