Sixteen days ago, I became a Jew. Well, that’s when the public ceremony was. I actually fulfilled the three requirements 2 days before: beit den, hatafat dam brit, and immersion in the mikveh. So, what’s it like being a Jew? Has anything changed?
Before that happened, I thought I’d be at this point and be able to say “Nope! I’m the same guy I always was!”. I cannot. That person drowned in the waters of the mikveh. A new Jew arose from those waters and took his place in a new world. Now, I’m sure plenty about me has remained the same. But, how I relate to the world has changed. I’m looking at it through new eyes. I have a new sense of purpose.
The ten months in the conversion program were practice. You observed the holidays and rituals. You learned and you grew. But, nothing can compare you for the feelings you get now: that these are YOUR rituals, YOUR holidays….that they were given to YOUR ancestors….your people. At this point you’re probably thinking “That’s illogical. You still have your same family tree.” and to that I reply “But a new branch has been added….that of my father Abraham.”
Gidon ben Avraham – that’s my Jewish name. Gidon (Gideon according to the Christians), son of Abraham. Being a child of Abraham really resonates with me. It really gives me a sense of belonging. Every bit of Jewish culture belongs to me as well because of my father Abraham… a man I never knew in person, but who announced One God to the world and joined in the covenant with that God. Because of him, I was able to enter into that covenant in 2011. His work bore fruit in me.
So, here I am today: a Jew. When I leave the house in the morning, I touch my mezuzah (given to me by my community) and kiss the fingers that touched it. When I arrive back home in the evening, I repeat the same ritual. I remember God, my covenant with Him and my place among my people when I go out and when I come in. It’s Chanukah now, so we light the menorah (also a gift from our community) at night. On Friday night, we light the shabbat candles and say our prayers. On Saturday morning we attend synagogue.
I keep in contact with my community and know they’re an email away. I get updates from my synagogue through the week. I carry on email conversations at times. I am a Jew. I have a God, a Torah, and a community. Throughout the day, I carry that sense of purpose and duty with me: to fulfill the mitzvot, the commandments, to partner with God in bringing about the world that should be… to make the world a better place.
My journey is only beginning, but it is contained within God, Torah and community. Whatever tomorrow brings, I know those things are forevermore the constants in my life. I have a renewed sense of purpose and that is to help bring about olam ha ba…the world to come, one good deed at a time. I have found my way home.
