Raising Interfaith Children in America: When the Judiciary Misunderstands Hindu Dharma

A Hindu-American father, Raj Yerasi, sought to raise his children with both Hindu and Jewish traditions after an interfaith marriage and equal custody agreement.

After the separation, his ex-wife scheduled exclusive Jewish education during his parenting time, prompting Raj to seek legal recognition of his Hindu spiritual practice.

The court ruled in favor of the mother, dismissing Raj’s meditation-based Hindu practice and accusing him of acting in bad faith.

On appeal, Raj successfully overturned the “bad faith” finding and regained his legal fees, although synagogue classes during his time were still permitted.

Raj now advocates for legal reform, urges proactive parenting in interfaith families, and calls on the Hindu-American community to build institutions that preserve Dharma for future generations.