Interviews - Jim Keen and Bonnie Keen, 2013

Abstract

Jim Keen (husband) is interviewed by Bonnie Keen (wife) on 4/20/2009 at 1:00:00 PM in Ann Arbor, MI. Jim (46) talks with his wife Bonnie (45) about their interfaith marriage and raising two Jewish daughters. Interview log: 1:45 Jim remembers meeting Bonnie in college- he was Protestant and she was Jewish. He remembers asking her out and going to the movies. 5:15 Bonnie remembers when she first saw Jim- he was tall and cute. 6:00 Jim talks about planning to marry after college- Bonnie always planned to marry a Jewish man. They compromised- she stayed in Ann Arbor for Jim and Jim agreed to raise the girls Jewish. 8:40 Jim and Bonnie talk about their daughters' education at the Jewish Community Center. 11:30 Jim tells a story about his daughter asking What is God? and trying to decide the best way to answer that would satisfy his faith and his wife's religion. He said God is everywhere and God is good 15:45 Bonnie talks about baby naming ceremonies in the Jewish faith. 18:00 Jim remembers building a sukkah. 18:40 Jim and Bonnie talk about the Jewish community in Ann Arbor. 20:20 Jim never pictured life after college- he never would have guessed he would be raising two Jewish girls. 26:15 Jim talks about raising children Jewish while he is Christian. 27:20 Jim and Bonnie talk about how open-minded Ann Arbor is to inter-faith relationships. 28:30 Jim talks about his decision not to convert- he still feels Protestant. 30:34 Jim talks about being a non-jew in the Jewish community. 34:40 Jim and Bonnie describe each other. 36:45 Jim talks about their teenage daughters Gabby and Molly and Bonnie talks about how their interfaith marriage has impacted them. They are open-minded.