I don't know where to start with this day! It was one of the most frustrating days I have had in a long time and I really just wanted to talk to my mother but that is not possible anymore well I talk to her all the time but she never answers back. I just needed my mommy today for some encouragement and some good motherly advice.
I was in a foul mood after work today and tonight was the adult b'nai mitzvah class that I sit in on for hebrew help and some extra knowledge. We worked on our hebrew and all went well and then we opened the siddur and read the Sh'ma and V'ahavta. I can not explain it but that was just what I needed at that moment! I could feel my mood change for the better and I gave myself some motherly advice.
We sing a song at synagogue that is probably one of my favorites and I never realized until tonight that it is the V'ahavta but in english, "And You Shall Love". Now I know why it is one of my favorites because I just always feel at such peace and yet so full of energy every time I read it in hebrew and sing the song. Not that there was ever a question to me if this was the right decision but after tonights class I know it was the right decision.
Thank you Sherril for choosing this lesson to teach tonight, the night I really needed it!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Joining a People
One of the topics of discussion in my conversion process is Israel and what it means to join a people. I had the honor of actually getting to live that this past summer by spending two weeks in Israel. What better way to learn about a topic than live it.
I have no way to explain to you the feeling that came over me when the plane landed in Tel Aviv. It would best be summed up by relief, exhaustion, excitement and as strange as it sounds to finally feel like I was home. I have never been there before this trip but I just knew that I was finally home.
It is a strange concept for a former Christian, well at least for me, to grasp. When you belong to a religion you are part of the religion and that is really it, you join a church and that is your world. When you are Jewish you are joining a people, a religion, a country, and a way of life.
I encountered every walk of life while I was there. First and foremost my family which is always wonderful, I have missed them so much! Traveling all over the one constant that was encountered was the love of life that the people of Israel have. The people of Israel never know what is going to happen day to day so instead of letting that feeling win they choose to live each day to the fullest. Whether they go to the beaches, go for walks, or just visit with friends and family they are enjoying the day and their home. I am not saying they were all perfect but they were living their life how they wanted to. They were all very glad I was there experiencing Israel for my own and everyone wanted to know my story. They would laugh at my bad Hebrew and then talk to me in English.
The most interesting mix is found in Jerusalem. There is every religion represented there and all of them visible. There was everything from Orthodox Jews to Christians to Muslims all there living their lives together. Again it is not perfect but as an observer the beauty of Jerusalem made up for the stories that I heard. The one thing I want to experience is a Shabbat in Jerusalem. Everyone talks about how busy the market area is on Friday and how as the afternoon draws on it gets quieter and quieter till it is almost silent in the city for Shabbat. I think that would be an amazing experience and hope to get to experience that someday soon. I was however on my last day in Israel fortunate to go to Shabbat services on the boardwalk in Tel Aviv and words can not express the emotions of watching the sun set over the Mediterranean as all these strangers gather and sing and pray together. It was truly an overwhelming experience and one I will cherish always and can not think of a better way to end a trip to Israel.
Not only am I converting to Judaism but I am lucky enough to get to “join a people”. I decided to convert because I wanted to and I felt it was time and I was ready to join a people so proud in their heritage. Before my trip to Israel we had decided to make aliyah and I was just going to go but after my trip I decided I needed to convert so that once there I would be a citizen and hopefully be able to contribute to Israel and my people. I can not think of a better way to repay Israel, the Jewish people and most importantly G-D for the great gift I will receive at the end of my journey. Who could ask for anything more than to be with my people in my country?
I have no way to explain to you the feeling that came over me when the plane landed in Tel Aviv. It would best be summed up by relief, exhaustion, excitement and as strange as it sounds to finally feel like I was home. I have never been there before this trip but I just knew that I was finally home.
It is a strange concept for a former Christian, well at least for me, to grasp. When you belong to a religion you are part of the religion and that is really it, you join a church and that is your world. When you are Jewish you are joining a people, a religion, a country, and a way of life.
I encountered every walk of life while I was there. First and foremost my family which is always wonderful, I have missed them so much! Traveling all over the one constant that was encountered was the love of life that the people of Israel have. The people of Israel never know what is going to happen day to day so instead of letting that feeling win they choose to live each day to the fullest. Whether they go to the beaches, go for walks, or just visit with friends and family they are enjoying the day and their home. I am not saying they were all perfect but they were living their life how they wanted to. They were all very glad I was there experiencing Israel for my own and everyone wanted to know my story. They would laugh at my bad Hebrew and then talk to me in English.
The most interesting mix is found in Jerusalem. There is every religion represented there and all of them visible. There was everything from Orthodox Jews to Christians to Muslims all there living their lives together. Again it is not perfect but as an observer the beauty of Jerusalem made up for the stories that I heard. The one thing I want to experience is a Shabbat in Jerusalem. Everyone talks about how busy the market area is on Friday and how as the afternoon draws on it gets quieter and quieter till it is almost silent in the city for Shabbat. I think that would be an amazing experience and hope to get to experience that someday soon. I was however on my last day in Israel fortunate to go to Shabbat services on the boardwalk in Tel Aviv and words can not express the emotions of watching the sun set over the Mediterranean as all these strangers gather and sing and pray together. It was truly an overwhelming experience and one I will cherish always and can not think of a better way to end a trip to Israel.
Not only am I converting to Judaism but I am lucky enough to get to “join a people”. I decided to convert because I wanted to and I felt it was time and I was ready to join a people so proud in their heritage. Before my trip to Israel we had decided to make aliyah and I was just going to go but after my trip I decided I needed to convert so that once there I would be a citizen and hopefully be able to contribute to Israel and my people. I can not think of a better way to repay Israel, the Jewish people and most importantly G-D for the great gift I will receive at the end of my journey. Who could ask for anything more than to be with my people in my country?
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