Why don't synagogues perform interfaith marriages?

Answer 1

Well, first of all, synagogues don't perform marriages. In Jewish law, the bride

and groom marry each other, in the presence of witnesses, and no third party

is needed to make it official.

In practice, the local government typically requires the presence of a third party,

such a judge or a clergyman, to make it official, and in the case of Jews who care,

their choice is typically a Rabbi, who can monitor the process to assure that it is

complete and effective within Jewish law.

Although there is no direct, blanket Torah prohibition against interfaith marriage,

it is frowned on by the great majority of Jewish communities and families, because

an interfaith family is ... not always, but more than likely ... one that is lost from the

Jewish community.

Consistent with this social tilt against marriage outside the faith, most Rabbis will

decline the invitation to attend one or participate in one.

But not all. An interfaith couple who, for some reason, want a Rabbi involved in

their wedding should begin their search in the yellow pages under the heading

"Synagogues / Reform". If the first Rabbi they phone from that list doesn't do

interfaith weddings himself, he or she will know another Rabbi who does, and

will be able to refer the couple to him or her.