What it’s like being a Jew…

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. (more…)

My Letter to the Birmingham News

The first day of Chanukah, I was contacted by the editor of the Birmingham News. He loved my article and, if I’d agree and also send him a headshot, he’d put it in a prominent place in the Christmas day edition of the newspaper. I was elated, thanked him and agreed.

Here is the article.

A New Jew and His Community

Last week was a spectacular week for me. I went through the circumcision (hatafat dam brit, in my case), beit den (religious court), and mikveh (ritual immersion). I then went before my community and became a Jew. Words cannot express how I feel now. It is an experience unlike any I’ve ever experienced. It was a deeply emotional and religious undertaking that has ended in a new beginning for me. After a little over 10 months in a conversion program, I am now a Jew.

You work these things out in your mind and you anticipate them. In my mind, I’d go through the ceremonies, finish the conversion process, say a couple of things in front of the congregation, and that would be that. It would be back to life as normal. Boy, was I wrong. For starters, the entire Shabbat service included me. For the first time, I held the Torah in my arms. I came very near to crying when this happened. It was totally unexpected.

When you hold Torah, you are embracing what it means to be Jewish. In your arms you are holding the book of the Law, the bedrock of your people…something that people have given their lives for and sacrificed greatly to preserve. It represents the lives, the hopes and the dreams of an entire civilization and, for that moment in time, its weight rests upon you. The second it does, the whole weight of your life disappears. You are standing there with your congregation….standing with the nation of Israel and nothing else exists – you, your community, and Torah.

That, of course, was a profoundly…PROFOUNDLY holy and life-altering event. I held Torah and we made the procession around the synagogue. Then, I was able to say the blessings over the Torah and, after the reading, hold it until it was placed back in the ark. I was then allowed to speak a short time, telling the congregation what had brought me to this place and time. The rabbi asked me questions, had me declare my intentions, and I was accepted into my community and my people. (more…)

My thoughts on Aba-gate, as one reporter called it

So, the Israeli Absorption Agency made a campaign to get their expats to move back to Israel. In the process, they belittled American Jews. I actually had the chance to ask an Israeli expat about this campaign today after synagogue. She wasn’t aware of the controversy, but called it a “clash between the two major Jewish countries” and I think that pretty much sums it up.

You could see this campaign as belittling American Jewry….certainly Abe Foxman did. However, I think the campaign brought something to the fore that has nothing to do with American Jewry. Israel sees their citizens moving to the US and they are terrified of assimilation. Certainly, the percentages for assimilation ARE high in the US. But, then again, Judaism has existed outside of Israel for close to 2,000 years.

What Israel should be asking themselves is what makes the US appealing to Jews in general and Israelis in particular. When a country is constantly on the brink of war, does not allow all its citizenry to marry within the country unless they jump through hurdles, is toeing the line between democracy and theocracy, etc. then it’s no wonder that the US is beginning to look more and more like a promised land.

Instead of trying to belittle the destination of many Jews, Israel should attempt to make itself a country that appeals more to Jews in general. The Palestinian conflict does not do that. The Haredim do not do that. Freedom does that. Democracy does that. Social justice does that. Israel has a lot to learn from the other half of Jewry and, until they do, assimilation is not their problem. The land of the free is.

The High Holy Days

The High Holy Days are over. I broke my Yom Kippur fast last night. The services at our synagogue were nothing short of majestic. The Yom Kippur morning service was also attended by the Most Rev. Richard E. Donohoe, a Roman Catholic priest, who spoke at the end and gave the closing blessing/prayer. His words were beautiful and really underscored the unity of all men under God.

The sermons spoken for the High Holy Days were also relevant and beautiful. We had sermons on the desire and need for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. We had sermons lamenting the new law on immigration in Alabama. We had sermons on making a choice to live a better life for the next year…with the Torah reading from a section that many Gnostic Bishops and priests in Free Communion are very familiar with:

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed

It was all a very beautiful and profound experience. It was also one I will not soon forget.

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