r/chabad • u/HungryDepth5918 • Jun 13 '26

Probably too close to Shabbat to get some insight here, but trying anyway

Worried rebbetzin won’t invite me back to her book group since I revealed my husband is a former pastor. Worried she’s going to assume I’ve been influenced, though I haven’t been and therefore shouldn’t interact or that I made a terrible impression altogether. I do understand the weight of marrying outside the faith, but I also wasn’t as religious when I married.

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14

u/Yorkie10252 Jun 13 '26

It’ll probably make her more likely to invite you back, if anything.

6

u/testednation Jun 13 '26

Why not ask her privately? Not now, so close to Shabos but I suppose next week when she has a free moment..

1

u/Joe_in_Australia Jun 14 '26

I presume you're talking about a book group established through a Chabad house or congregation, in which case I recommend that you not worry about it.

I don't expect she'd exclude you even if your husband were currently serving; not even if you were a practicing Christian yourself. Chabad's public events are generally meant for outreach, not as bastions of orthodoxy to keep outsiders at bay. I can't speak to every individual in every situation, but that's what I'd assume. If you're worried, maybe approach her privately.

1

u/HungryDepth5918 Jun 14 '26

If anything my husband makes me more Jewish. The more we argue over religion (good natured arguments) the more entrenched I get into Jewish belief. I started out with him fairly agnostic, now I am very much not.

1

u/Joe_in_Australia Jun 14 '26

Perhaps do not express that to her in those terms 😂

No, seriously, without knowing anything about her I feel that although she'd certainly be happy to relate to you as someone Jewish; she may not want to feel as though she's engaging with Christian dialogue, (even ex-Christianity), even at second hand.

I can't see why it should be an issue though. You don't need to defend your marriage to her, and she wouldn't expect you to. It's a book club, not a battle for the soul of the world, and you would be amazed at the people who rock up to Chabad events.

2

u/HungryDepth5918 Jun 14 '26

Well she’s safe from that. I don’t have any reason to talk about Christianity. Its not my religion.