Union School for Interfaith Families, founded in 2005, is a Sunday school program for families seeking a combined Catholic/Christian and Jewish education.

Union School for Interfaith Families, hosted on the St. Raymond campus, meets twice a month on Sunday mornings from September through May.  The Union School is based on the model and curriculum originally created by the Chicago Interfaith Family School, hosted by Old St. Patrick Church in downtown Chicago. 

Children ages Kindergarten – 8th grade attend class from 10:00-11:00 am and learn from a curriculum designed to teach about holidays, traditions, beliefs, and history of both Judaism and Catholicism, and how both religions can be embraced together.  While the children are in classes, parents participate in adult education which includes discussions around family and religious issues, listening to speakers about interfaith-relevant topics, or are engaged in planning activities for the group. For families with younger children, there is a babysitting room available. 

In addition, supplementary curriculum is provided to prepare students in 2nd grade or older for their First Communion, as well as Hebrew classes for students 3rd grade and older. These supplemental programs typically meet before or after regular classes.

The Union School for Interfaith Families is not intended to be a family’s sole participation in religious activity. By familiarizing children with holidays and rituals, stories from our traditions, prayers, and the teachings and histories of both faiths, the Union School classes can help to complement a family’s participation in Jewish services and/or Catholic Masses, or in more traditional forms of religious education. 

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