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About Both Sides of the Family
Additional Material by Jeffrey Grover
Directed and conceived by Jacqi Loewy
This funny, spiritual and moving journey of interfaith parenting, childhood and marriage is offered by Charenton Shorts. "She" is raising a Jewish daughter for her Jewish husband, although she is not interested in converting. "He" is the child of two Jewish parents and the father of two families, on Jewish and one Christian. Follow their journeys as they weave, unravel and reflect on the diversity that is their lives.
In contrapuntal ruminations, the pair explores a variety of subjects - kashrut, Shabbat observance, anti-Semitism and, of course, their angst surrounding the celebration of Chanukah and Christmas. Through observations that are, by turns, serious, wry, painful, and poignant, they struggle to define what it means to be Jewish.
The play culminates with each describing a trip to Israel, an event which raises important issues and ultimately helps each character answer the central question: What makes a family? Music by well-known Jewish folksinger/songwriter Noah Budin frames the play. - Susan H. Kahn, Cleveland Jewish News
Both humorous and poignant, Goldstein has probed not only inter-religious marriage, but the purpose of religion, the importance of tradition, and the bond of family. The dialogue is natural. The humor is appropriate to the situation, not gimmicky. The agnst is nicely developed. This is a good script! - Roy Berko, Cleveland Theatre Critic