Stepping Stones "send-off"
begins a new phase.

LESLEY PEARL STAFF WRITER

G

raduation wouldn't be ex-
actly the correct term.
"It implies an ending.
This is more of a send-off.
You're on your way now," Rita
Abramson said.
Ms. Abramson, director of
Stepping Stones To A Jewish Me
— a two-year family-education
program for interfaith families
and teachers, said goodbye to her
first class Sunday.
Following 24 months of learn-
ing symbols and singing melodies,
15 families were "sent off' with an
afternoon of game playing, which
tested their knowledge, plus cake,
candles and an alef bet book.
Ms. Abramson also provided
each family with a letter of in-
troduction to the congregation of
its choice — if the families choose
to affiliate. Most are.
Cathy and Paul Wasserman of
West Bloomfield are considering
Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy.
When they married, the
Wassermans didn't discuss reli-
gious issues at length. They didn't
plan to have children. Paul was
40, Cathy was 37.
Zachary, now almost 7, "was a
wonderful surprise."
Mr. and Mrs. Wasserman con-
tinue to celebrate both Christian
and Jewish holidays. They chose
Stepping Stones because of the
opportunities for personal and
spiritual growth it offered to in-
terfaith families.
"I believe it is the responsibil-
ity of both parents to know and
respect each other's heritages and
religions. I think this (Stepping
Stones) will be a positive in
Zachary's life and bring him in-
sight in the future," Ms. Wasser-
man said. "A real goal in raising
Zachary is to teach him how to be
a peacemaker. It's all about get-
ting back to respect and under-
standing of others.

"If people could just be
clear and deal with the re-
alities of interfaith mar-
riage, rather than getting
caught up in the emotions,
we'd see that we all have
the same goal of peace
among us."
Gail Bennett and
Richard Rubin of Fanning-
ton Hills will probably join
Temple Kol Ami in West
Bloomfield.
The couple and their two
children — Joshua and
Michelle — found Stepping
Stones after moving back
to Detroit from Massachu-
setts. Back East, the fami-
ly belonged to a chavurah
(literally "friendship circle")
of many interfaith families.
Stepping Stones appealed
to the Bennett-Rubins be-
cause it joined couples and
children dealing with sim-
ilar issues.
But many other qt ialities
of the program kept the
family active and excited.
"I was really impressed
that the Reform and Con-
servative movements got togeth-
er to do this," Mr. Rubin said.
"There's a great need for inter-
faith families to feel like they be-
long. Moving back home from out
of town and trying to figure out
what to do as far as identification
and affiliation seemed pretty
daunting."
Joshua, who is almost 7, loved
the art projects and monthly fam-
ily activities of Stepping Stones.
"He was excited to go," Mr. Ru-
bin said. "And now we want him
to be able to continue his educa-
tion."
Stepping Stones in Detroit is
unique in that two movements of
Judaism came together to sup-
port the effort. The program orig-

Top: Stepping Stones

inated in Denver in 1988 graduates
The pro-
and is active in 17 commu-
gram is fund-
nities in the United States. Above: Rita Abramson
ed for three
Its only requirements are presented diplomas to the years by a
Schwartz and Swanson
one Jewish parent and no families.
Max M. Fish-
affiliation.
er Founda-
During the two years,
tion grant
families made candlesticks
and adminis-
with matching images (like sun tered through the Agency for
and moon) from ceramic tiles and Jewish Education.
metal nuts, kiddush cups, chal-
Because the goal is affiliation,
lah covers of muslin and fabric in addition to gained comfort and
paint, and menorot from baked knowledge of the Jewish com-
sculpting clay.
munity, families can enroll in the
Once a month, families met to- program only once.
gether for activities, many focus-
That saddens Karen Buffthy-
ing around upcoming holidays. er of Keego Harbor.
During the second year, clergy of
Her daughter, Lindsey, and
both movements began a parent- husband, Bruce, enjoyed the pro-
education track.
gram but are not yet ready to join

a congregation. She was hoping
to enroll 4-year-old Katie and 5-
month-old Brooke in Stepping
Stones when they grew older.
"We gave Lindsey some back-
ground about her Judaism. It was
fun; she loved her teachers. It was
a good entry point for us," Ms.
Buffmyer said. "I'm afraid if we
affiliated now, it might be a bit
one-sided. My husband has nev-
er participated in any religion.
"Lindsey said she is excited to
have the whole weekend free
now, although she will miss Step-
ping Stones. If down the line she
inquires about furthering her ed-
ucation, we'll definitely make it
happen." ❑

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