First of all, I am a very big fan of The Voice & Herald. Thank you for all of the great work that you do for our community.

I recently read the piece about The Mothers Circle, which is a class offered to non-Jewish women raising Jewish children (“Mothers Circle completes inaugural year, new group to form,” The Voice & Herald, May 29). I was a member of the first Mothers Circle class and I absolutely loved it. I hope my letter will inspire others to take this magnificent class.

I was a student in the first Mothers Circle class, and I am writing to share what an incredibly wonderful experience it has been for both me and my family.

I am a Catholic woman who had only a cursory knowledge of Judaism prior to taking this class. My husband (who is Jewish) and I married five years ago and, at that time, I became a stepmom to a beautiful girl, Sylvie, who is now 11 years old.

Sylvie is Jewish, and when my husband and I married we agreed to raise all of our children in the Jewish faith. Two years ago my son David was born and soon after I learned about the Mothers Circle.

Our Mothers Circle class was comprised of a group of incredible women of all different faiths and heritages. We have explored many topics, including Jewish values, history, culture and foods and holiday observances. As non-Jews who are raising Jewish children, we share a common bond and are very respectful and supportive of one another. I believe that our friendships will endure well beyond the end of our class sessions and we are already planning alumnae sessions for when classes have ended.

Kit Haspel, our wonderful instructor, created a nurturing and non-judgmental environment that allows us to explore even the most sensitive and complex issues inherent to interfaith families. We are also grateful to the local Jewish community who has been so kind and welcoming to us as we take this journey.

Since participating in Mothers Circle my family has become much more active in our celebration of Judaism. We now regularly attend activities offered by Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Community Day School and the Bureau of Jewish Education.

We also now light candles on Shabbat, and take a moment to reflect on any mitzvot we may have accomplished during the prior week. My son had a wonderful time dressing up for Purim this year, and I even hosted my first Passover seder.

For all of these reasons, I sincerely recommend the Mothers Circle to other non-Jewish woman raising Jewish children. Besides the personal benefits that this class offers to its students and their families, the class also serves to benefit our entire community. As more parents and children become engaged in their temples and their faith, we all reap the rewards of a warm and vibrant Jewish community.

Mary Beth Schneider

Providence