Samantha Gonzalez-Block Hired as Reverend and Christian Spiritual Leader of the Interfaith Families Project

Gonzalez-Block Joins Rabbi Deborah Reichmann on IFFP’s Spiritual Leadership Team 

Washington, DC; February 13, 2022

The Board of Directors of the Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington DC (IFFP) announces today the hiring of Samantha Gonzalez-Block as its Reverend and Christian Spiritual Leader, effective March 1. Reverend Gonzalez-Block will serve alongside Rabbi Deborah Reichmann, who joined IFFP in January 2020.

Gonzalez-Block has served as IFFP’s Interim Minister since June 2021. She came to IFFP from Asheville, NC, where she served as Associate Pastor of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church since 2015. Raised in an interfaith family in Montclair, New Jersey, she is a graduate of Barnard College and Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York and is ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Her interfaith experience includes formal roles as a Religious Educator with Interfaith Community, Inc. in New York, NY, teaching about interfaith identity in a collegiate context, as well as working with families of various religious and cultural backgrounds in congregations. Bilingual in Spanish, she has experience in secondary education, domestic and international social justice advocacy, and the integration of religion, arts, and culture. 

“I am humbled and overjoyed to be stepping into this role at IFFP. As the product of an interfaith family, I am passionate about supporting members on their individual journey – as well as our collective one. I look forward to working alongside this hybrid community to strengthen relationships and grow (and dance) side-by-side. I am thrilled for the vital, bridge-building work ahead of us,” remarked Gonzalez-Block.

Gonzalez-Block will join Rabbi Deborah Reichmann in providing spiritual leadership to IFFP’s 100+ households in the greater Washington, DC area, the United States, and Canada.

“We are honored that Reverend Sam has decided to join IFFP as our Christian Spiritual Leader. Her insight, warmth, energy, and intellect are only some of the unique gifts that she brings to our community. She has done a remarkable job helping guide us through this past year while also developing a strong partnership with Rabbi Debbie. We look forward to their leadership for many years to come.” noted John Mills, IFFP Board Chair. 

Said Reichmann, “I am eager to work with Rev. Sam as we take IFFP into its second quarter-century. The foundations established by the wonderful leaders before us will allow us to continue to grow IFFP as a spiritual interfaith community and to serve as a resource around the nation.”

IFFP has been in existence for more than 25 years. IFFP has continued regular weekly gatherings, Sunday School, adult groups, and support to its membership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and is now meeting weekly both virtually and in-person in Rockville, MD.


The Interfaith Families Project of Greater Washington, DC (IFFP) was founded in 1995 by four interfaith couples from Takoma Park, Maryland, who wanted a Sunday School for their Jewish and Christian children. IFFP is an independent community of interfaith families who are committed to sharing, learning about, and celebrating their Jewish and Christian traditions. For more information about IFFP, please go to https://iffp.org.

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