5 Ways to Be the Best Partner in a Jewish/Interfaith Relationship
1. Speak your mind: Speaking up is just as important as listening. If your partner doesn't know how you feel, they can't be sensitive to your feelings. If Passover's coming up and you'd really like a hand preparing to host the holiday, don't wait for them to offer--ask! So many relationship struggles come from lack of communication. If you're visiting your significant other's parents and you're anxious about not being familiar with certain religious rituals that might come up during a holiday of a religion you don't practice, ask for a primer (better yet, if it's Jewish information you seek, find one here!). You'll feel more comfortable and your loved one will appreciate your interest in their religion.
2. Go halfsies: My husband and I annoyingly like to tease each other that "what's yours is mine" when it comes to that ice cream sundae or a winning scratch ticket. But it goes both ways. When I see him eyeing the last of my homemade Hanukkah cookies: "What's mine is yours." When that wine bottle is almost empty: "What's mine is yours." When you're both generous with the little things, you might find you're in a better mindset to compromise on the big stuff too.
3. Get creative: Feel like most of the time you're on autopilot? Work, grocery store, gym, errands, pick up the kids (if you have kids), etc. That's because we all are. So when you actually get a free minute to spare with your sweetheart, it can be hard to figure out what to do with it--besides a Netflix binge. But there are so many great events going on every week in the Jewish community, plus workshops from InterfaithFamily for couples and new parents. #ChooseLove by taking advantage of that precious free time in a more enriching way and learn something new together. Even if it's just once in a while, you'll be glad you got off the couch.
4. Take your time: Figuring out your religious identity as a couple or family takes time. You might want to feel like you have a plan for celebrating holidays and family gatherings that's just right--from the get-go. Let yourself off the hook! Be OK with not being the perfect Passover host this year. Your what-went-wrongs will inform next year. And some unexpected moments worth repeating will almost certainly happen organically. As you see what works for you--hosting versus visiting, keeping the kids in school versus bringing them to a holiday observance, etc.--you'll start to create your own traditions.
5. Let it go: I'm not saying you should avoid communication and let hurt feelings fester (especially about big issues), but this is about "not sweating the small stuff." If your partner's complaining about visiting your in-laws for Easter again, but you know she's had a terrible, no good, very bad day, maybe let this one slide. Or if you've already made your opinion known that your grandmother has the best chicken soup recipe on the planet, and it would be a travesty not to serve it to your guests, put it in perspective: If it's really important for your partner to connect with their grandma through a precious passed-down recipe, perhaps it's not worth ruining your holiday over soup. Often we expect a lot from our loved ones, but sometimes we lose sight of what's worth getting worked up over. And more important: what's not.
I hope you have a happy Valentine's Day with your loved one! And if you could use more discussion about finding your way in your interfaith relationship, check out InterfaithFamily's Love & Religion workshop.
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