Shabbaton with Guest Scholar Rabbi Ari Saks
January 9 &10, 2026
Please join us for a meaningful and thought-provoking Shabbaton.
Rabbi Saks has focused his rabbinate on reaching out to interfaith families. He's bringing his unique expertise to Chevrei, where he'll be facilitating learning and meaningful conversations with us.
Links to podcasts and articles by Rabbi Saks are below the registration form.
Friday January 9
6:00 pm - Kabbalat Shabbat services
6:30 pm - Shabbat dinner
7:30 pm - Rabbi Saks will present "The Torah of Interfaithing" sharing how he came to this work. Together, we’ll look at a beautiful text from the Torah about Jacob (Israel) blessing his grandchildren—who, themselves, came from an interfaith family. This is the only moment in Torah where a grandparent and grandchildren interact, and it powerfully captures how we can hold onto our tradition while expanding the embrace of our community. Rabbi Saks also wants to hear from us—what feels important and timely about welcoming interfaith families right now at Chevrei Tzedek?
Saturday January 10
10:00 am - Shabbat morning services. In the D'var Torah Rabbi Saks will explore Parashat Shemot, focusing on Moses’ own interfaith journey—how he was raised, his marriage to Tzipporah the Midianite, and how these experiences shaped his and our understanding of God. This will set the stage for our afternoon session.
Following services- a kiddush lunch and a limud with Rabbi Saks on: "Intermarried Jewish leaders: How Samson, Solomon, and Esther Provide a Framework for Understanding Interfaith Families in the Jewish Tradition." We’ll explore both their biblical stories and how rabbinic tradition has understood their lives. Rabbi Saks wants us to see together that interfaith families have always been woven into the fabric of Jewish life and leadership!
8:00 pm - Rabbi Saks will facilitate an "In-Depth Conversation with Interfaith Families." Open to all; interfaith families and their extended family members are especially warmly invited. This will be a conversation tailored to the unique questions and needs of interfaith families and the wider Chevrei Tzedek community. Rabbi Saks will bring insights from his podcast Interfaithing: Why Families Can Embrace Two Faiths Under One Roof —including stories, resources, and practical advice for crafting meaningful rituals and balancing traditions as interfaith families.
Please help us plan by registering for all events you plan to attend.
There is a cost for the Friday evening dinner. The Saturday events are free of charge.
REGISTRATION FORM
From Rabbi Saks: My goal is to open a path for learning, honest discussion, and community-building—grounded in deep Jewish tradition and a spirit of radical welcome. I can’t wait to learn from you and with you, and to imagine together what the future holds for interfaith families at Chevrei Tzedek.
Looking forward to a meaningful and inspiring weekend!
PODCAST EPISODES
Top 5 Interfaithing podcast episodes by listenership (links connect to Apple Podcasts, but they also appear on every podcasting platform)
EMERGENCY POD! Interfaithing Responds to Ari Resigning from the Conservative Movement
BONUS Episode: Seeing the Forest and the Trees with Matt Lowe
(S02/E16) Ella's Interfaithing Journey Part 1: Navigating the Interfaith Maze
(S02/E17) Ella's Interfaithing Journey PART 2 - Becoming Whole in the Holy Land
(S01/E01) Interfaithing Introductory Episode - Anna & Ari's Origin Stories
RELEVANT ARTICLES
Rabbi quits Conservative movement after facing discipline over interfaith weddings (JTA article, 8/11/25)
Stop Hiding Behind Halakhah: Conservative Judaism Needs a Real Interfaith Revolution (soon to be published Op-Ed)
The Interfaithing Challenge of Saying "Amen" (blog post)
Interfaith marriages are the future. Here's why. (blog post)
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MY TESHUVA RE: INTERMARRIAGE
The Halakhic Argument to Permit Intermarriage: A Positivist Historical Approach (summary/synopsis)