From Generation to Generation: A Story of Intermarriage & Jewish Continuity

by Jane Larkin

Part of me wanted to scream, “Ugh! This is too hard!” and call it quits. But I believed in Cameron and me, and I was not ready to give up. Not to mention, the idea of failing at another relationship was not so appealing either. If I had been in the practice of talking to God (I was not), now would have been a good time to appeal for some help. But since I felt that the combination of questioning my faith and my other transgressions over the past year had already earned me a black mark next to my name, I assumed that divine intervention would be asking for too much.

A woman’s unexpected entry into an interfaith marriage brings her closer to her roots than she ever imagined in this inspirational true story, From Generation to Generation. Written by Jane Larkin, a Jewish woman who made the difficult decision to marry outside her faith, this fascinating memoir explores an ancient religion in the face of modern times.

Jane knew the statistics quite well: those who belong to interfaith households often lose their beliefs, neglect regular ritual observance, and raise children who are less likely to associate themselves with religious tradition.

Having been raised in the midst of these gloomy statistics, Jane decides to enter into marriage with a fellow Jew, despite the fact that she is not in love. But she quickly realizes that a marriage based solely on shared faith is not a marriage that can last, and the union crumbles.

Newly single, Jane soon falls in love with a non-Jewish man. Before she knows it, she finds herself embarking on the one adventure she had hoped to avoid at all costs: an interfaith marriage.

But something surprising happens as they attempt to maneuver through this new marriage. Jane suddenly discovers that instead of pushing her away from her faith, their partnership actually urges her to reconnect with the roots of her faith and explore the meaning of Judaism more closely. Inspired by her interfaith marriage, Jane’s exploration into Judaism helps transform her into a more conscious, thoughtful, and empowered Jewish woman.

By facing her most profound fears, prejudices, and a shocking religious skeleton in her genealogical closet, Jane ultimately finds the strength to be herself.

Genres: Jewish

286 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2014

About the author

Jane Larkin has a BS from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and an MBA from the Fordham University Graduate School of Business. She writes for InterfaithFamily.com and is a contributor to The Seesaw column in the Forward. Her articles have appeared in the Forward, Tablet Magazine, Kveller.com, ReformJudaism.org, The Jewish Journal Massachusetts, Jewish Exponent, Center for Jewish Peoplehood, and other outlets. She is a featured speaker in the Institute for Southern Jewish Living's Southern States Jewish Programming Series.

Larkin is the director of small groups and community engagement at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, TX, the largest Reform congregation in the Southwest. She oversees the congregation's small group initiative, conversion, interfaith, and outreach to unaffiliated and disconnected Jews. She is a member of the board of directors of Big Tent Judaism. She is active in Jewish National Fund and is a founding member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey.

She lives with her family in Dallas.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anybody interested in family, love, and religious tradition. Jane Larkin is a wonderful writer and storyteller who draws you into her heartwarming story with a sense of humor and honest observations. It is also very well researched and informative, and I learned alot about my own religion. This a great read!!