Embark: Michael and Bobby’s Experience as an Interfaith Couple in Houston

‍Michael and Bobby, members of the 2025 Embark Houston cohort, shared their experience about exploring Jewish life as an interfaith couple as young adults in Houston with Hey Houston.

Read below about their time with Embark Houston.

Let’s Start with an Introduction. Who are Michael and Bobby?

Michael grew up steeped in Jewish life (day school, synagogue, a longtime seat on Jewish Federation committees, etc.). Bobby didn't grow up Jewish, but has spent years immersed in Houston's Jewish community through Federation events and a close social circle of Jewish friends. Together, Michael and Bobby joined Embark looking for something neither of them quite had: a space to talk about faith without pressures to convert or “be” a certain way.

What Is Embark Houston?

Embark Houston is part of Mem Global's Embark program, designed specifically for interfaith couples navigating what Jewish life might look like in their relationship. Cohorts of 6 - 10 couples meet weekly with an Embark Rabbi (ours was Rabbi Gross) over six sessions, including a retreat and a Shabbat dinner. It’s all super low-pressure and built around a discussion-based format.

Why Did You Join Embark?

Without a synagogue membership, we felt a bit adrift spiritually before attending Embark. Our involvement in Jewish life in Houston was purely secular, and though fulfilling, it didn't give us a framework to talk about how we actually want Judaism to show up in our home. We wanted something different; a place where we could experiment, explore, and ask questions about faith and tradition more openly, and connect with peers over Jewish ritual in a casual setting. Embark promised and delivered that for us!

Did You Know Anyone Else in Your Cohort Beforehand?

We got lucky. We were already friendly with two of the couples before our first meeting. That definitely helped us feel comfortable from the start, but honestly, the whole group turned out to be a friendly, inviting space. It made it easy to have real conversations about what Jewish tradition actually means in our own lives, not just in the abstract.

What Does Jewish Community Look Like for You Now?

We don't have plans to formally join a synagogue right now, but we've come to think of the Embark cohort as our havurah, so basically our own small Jewish community. We genuinely look forward to seeing the other couples, catching up on life updates, and just being in community with people navigating similar questions.

How Has Embark Changed Your Day-to-Day Jewish Life?

It's sparked a lot of personal discussion between the two of us, like how and when we want to weave Judaism into our lives together. One unexpected benefit has been a renewed connection to Shabbat. We've started honoring it in new and meaningful ways that feel authentically ours, not just inherited.

What Was It Like Being an Unmarried Couple in Embark?

It actually worked out well for us. Being in a room with married couples further along in their journey helped us generate a lot of ideas about how and when Judaism might fit into our own future commitment. It gave us language for conversations we hadn't quite had yet.

What Would You Tell Another Interfaith Couple Considering Embark?

Give it a try! Married or not. You might be surprised by which elements or connections end up staying with you the most. The whole experience has been meaningful in ways we didn't anticipate. And the dinners! The dinners were great!

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Applications Now Open for 2026 Embark Houston Cohort

The next cohort runs October 14 – December 18, 2026, meeting weekly from 6:30–8:00 pm.

Leading the Houston cohort is Rabbi Steve Gross of Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism, a longtime fixture of the city's interfaith and community-building work. From his role with the Anti-Defamation League's Coalition for Mutual Respect to his ongoing involvement with Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, he brings decades of experience creating spaces where couples can ask honest questions about tradition and faith.

Whether you're just starting to talk about how Judaism fits into your relationship or you're further along and looking for community, Embark offers a low-pressure, high-connection way to explore it together.

If you’d like to sign up for the Houston cohort, people are encouraged to complete the online form by August 31st, 2026. You can also ask a question first if you want more details before committing. You can also check out the Embark FAQs for answers to common questions about what the program involves.

If you’re looking for other Jewish events around town, check out the Hey Houston calendar or join Hey Houston for a regular event digest directly into your inbox.

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