Interfaith family project

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Founded by four “founding moms” in 1995, the Interfaith Families Project (IFFP) has grown from a local Takoma Park, Maryland based interfaith community, to include families from all over Montgomery County, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, Baltimore and Annapolis. It has even resulted in an affiliated group IFFP Philly[1].

As an active community of approximately 110 families, IFFP is one of the largest interfaith programs in the country. The core value of IFFP is respect – for each other, for Judaism and for Christianity. Members of IFFP believe it is possible – and desirable – to honor our distinct religious traditions and to share those traditions with spouses, partners and children.

IFFP [2]is primarily member-led and member-driven. Members teach Sunday School [3] including pre-school to 6th grade, craft Gatherings [4], serve on the Board, lead committees, facilitate Adult Group, and plan programs.

History

IFFP was born ten years ago when four women in interfaith marriages discussed the desire to have more of religious foundation for their children.

Initially, the focus was just on celebrating Jewish and Christian holidays. From that point, the founding families embarked on establishing an interfaith Sunday School. They started as a small group in a living room in Takoma Park, Maryland, but soon attracted enough families that they began renting rooms at a local church.

After some time, they hired Rev. Julia Jarvis [5] as a part-time administrator for the growing Sunday School. Rev. Jarvis initiated the development of Gatherings, Adult Groups, and a number of programs including Women's Retreat and Men's Night.

Although primarily member-run, in 2001, Rev. Ellen Jennings [6] started as Director of Religious Education. In 2004 by Rabbi Harold White [7][8] joined IFFP as Spiritual Advisor. In 2006, Rev. Julia Jarvis returned as Spiritual Director and Community Leader.

Today

Celebrating over a decade of interfaith family support, IFFP continues to provide Jewish and Christian education for over 150 children through its Sunday School for children from pre-school to sixth grade, its Coming of Age Programs [9] for 7th and 8th Graders, and an organized teen group.

Today's members range from original members whose children are now in high school and college, to young couples working thourough their first interfaith relationship questions.

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