I was born just 81 years after the ratification of the amendment to the US Constitution that abolished the slavery of Africans. I was given a good Southern name – Billye Joyce – although it was a harsh time to be African-American in the United States, especially in the South. We were still called colored or Negroes, and oftentimes the other n-word was used. I was born in Big Momma's (my grandmother's) house because colored doctors were not allowed to use the hospitals in Texas.
My grandmother
I was eight when the Supreme Court decided to end segregation in schools. It wasn't easy and it wasn't quick and it is a battle that is still going on today in some places. My mother did me a great favor by moving us to Southern California when I was three years old so that I would be able to attend better schools.
Slavery wasn't something we talked about in my family. There was too much shame.
Slavery wasn't something we talked about in my family when I was young. My great-grandmother may not have been born in slavery, but her mother most likely was. The reason I don't know for certain is because, although our ancestors were victims, we, the children of the victims, were ashamed, as if it was their fault they were slaves... as if it was our fault. I was taught, in those good schools I went to, that American slaves meekly accepted their situation, that they never fought back or rebelled. I didn’t learn that was untrue until I was in college. Perhaps if my family and I had known those things we might have been less ashamed.
Don't Ask Questions
People often ask me what my religion was before I went to the mikvah. No one displays much interest in the fact that I grew up as a “plain vanilla” Protestant Christian. But their interest perks up when I say I was once Wiccan.
With hindsight, I realize that my journey to Judaism began when I was thrown out of Christian Sunday School when I was six years old for asking a question the teacher couldn’t answer. That question was: “What do you do if you don’t have faith?” What she was really trying to teach me was not to ask questions. (By the way, she failed.)
I was a confused little girl, wondering why I was walking home early for asking a sincere question. And I continued to be confused, with my mind filling up with more and more questions.
But six year olds (at least in my family) couldn't stop going to church, even six year olds with a whole host of unanswered questions. But sixteen year olds can. And ten years later, my last straw was a particularly unpleasant encounter with a minister who was counseling me. I’ll skip the details. My mother was not the sort of woman that one disobeyed, but even she was unable to get me to set foot in a church after that. In fairness, I have to say that what happened really was the very last thing. My sixteen-year-old self had done a lot more thinking and come up with a lot more apparently unanswerable questions. That's what really caused me to stop being Christian. The encounter with the minister was just the thing that pushed me out the door.
When I went to college I ran into all the philosophical “stuff” that one runs into as a freshman. I spent many nights with my friends discussing, with great seriousness, the nature and existence of God, with the confidence that we were going to figure out religious and philosophical issues to which the greatest thinkers in history hadn’t found definitive answers. We didn't, of course, but I did come up with a life philosophy that worked for me for quite a while, based on my certainty that there was a Divine power in the Universe, the gentle meditation of the eternal dance of the ocean waves off the California coast, and the idea that if you did the most good and the least harm you could manage, it would probably lead to a pretty decent, reasonably moral life.
Meeting a Coven of Witches
After college, I moved to Denver, Colorado, where I chanced upon an interesting group of people who practiced Wicca. Although Wiccans (both male and female) call themselves witches, they are not Satanists. They do not worship the Christian devil or any form of evil being. And groups who call themselves Wiccan have many different variations of beliefs and practices.
The folks in my coven were extremely intelligent, studious and their beliefs intersected with many of mine.
The one I was a part of believed in God (though differently named), and in putting positive energy into the world around them in all their thoughts and actions. They were very concerned about the environment. After all, Mother Earth is our home. It is important to respect and care for her. As a group, the folks in my coven were extremely intelligent, studious and their beliefs intersected with many of mine.
My step-father, baby sister, mother and me
As I've learned more about Judaism, I realize how much of what I was attracted to in Wicca came from Jewish sources. Ultimately, Wicca was not my path and when I left Denver I never looked for another coven to join.
Stumbling Upon Judaism
During the years when I wasn’t a part of any organized group, I was still very much aware of God wherever I might be living or traveling. I read a lot of books about religion and philosophy. I more or less continually thought about, fiddled with, poked at what I thought of as “my philosophy about life, death, and everything.” I celebrated God.
My mother had told me, rather sternly, when I stopped going to church: “When you’re old, you’ll come back.” It turned out she was right – sort of. Eventually I began to miss ritual and a community to share it with. Now the only question was, what religion was I going to join to find these things?
I knew absolutely nothing about Judaism and had never met a Jew.
It turns out I know a little about Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, various streams of Christianity, random mystics and assorted philosophers. So I’m not quite sure how I managed to know absolutely nothing about Judaism. I never read about it, had never been in a synagogue or met any Jews.
But for some reason I didn’t understand, I did have a little spark of interest. So I bought some books and had an immediately positive response. Judaism said that religion is how you live every day, not just what you profess to believe on the Sabbath. It is a religion that believes that every human being can be moral and attain a place in the Next World, Jews and non-Jews alike. And best of all, Judaism encouraged questions and discussion, and valued logic and reason. I immediately decided I had to find out more about this.
Feeling God's Presence
I’ve felt the presence of the Divine in a lot of places. Dancing with the ocean on the beach in California. Walking through Stonehenge in the UK. Sitting in a small church filled with corn fetishes in some random little town in the Midwest. Watching the Rocky Mountains when they looked like they were illustrated by Pixar Studios. Driving alone through the desert. Even, from time to time, in a church service, or a Wiccan circle.
And I realized very quickly that even though I was very excited about Judaism intellectually, if I couldn’t feel God in a synagogue, then this wasn’t going to be the right religious path for me.
Imagine my fear walking into an Orthodox shul for my first experience of Shabbat services.
I have always been introverted and uncomfortable in crowds or with strangers. So imagine my fear walking into an Orthodox shul for my first experience of Shabbat services. Added to the fear I came in with, I didn’t understand anything that was going on around me. I knew no Hebrew and I was scared stiff that I would do something to offend someone. But it turned out that despite the surface terrors, I did feel God's presence there. On the drive home I was smiling. I hadn’t realized until that moment how afraid I had been that I wouldn’t.
Eventually I found several Rabbis to learn with, read a lot more books, and after several years of asking questions and soul searching, that curious little girl, now a much older woman, got a Hebrew name of her very own. When I emerged from the mikvah as a Jew named Tziporah Miriam bat Sarah, I burst into tears of joy.
But as happy as I was, the part of me that was still a curious little girl couldn’t seem to be satisfied. I learned as much as I could. But the more I read and studied, the more it became obvious to me, how high, wide and deep was what I didn’t know.
Part of the Jewish community today
I believe in Divine coincidence, that perfect “little thing” that lets you stumble into something that is exactly what you need. Like the seemingly random series of events that led me to Aish HaTorah in Rockville, Maryland.
At first a friend asked me to go to a class with her there. I continued taking classes, and I was more and more drawn to the depth of the learning that I experienced. It was much later that I came to realize how much I was learning simply by interacting with the community and watching so many individuals live their Judaism with commitment and joy. This inspired me to work on increasing my own level of observance. I have a long way to go, but it is a path I am glad to be on, surrounded and supported by this community.
Abolishing Slavery
As an African-American, a daughter of American slavery, and as a Jew, a daughter of the Exodus, I am deeply troubled by slavery today. And I feel I must take this opportunity to share some facts about this continuing evil.
“Today?” you may say. But isn’t slavery something that happened in another time, another place, another culture?
There are as many as 27 million modern day slaves worldwide.
Not according to the U.S. State Department. In fact, there are as many as 27 million modern day slaves worldwide. In addition, the WARChild International Network reports that 250,000 children are actively deployed each year, fighting in almost 75% of armed conflicts worldwide.
27 million slaves worldwide. 250,000 child soldiers each year.
These numbers stun me. Really? In this time, in this modern culture, in this civilized place?
Yes.
I wish I knew what to do to make slavery something that only happened a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far way. But it isn't. It just isn't.
God may have infinite patience. But I don't. We need to work together to abolish slavery and rid the world of this vile activity.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, formerly Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, said: “The God of history, who taught us to study history, had faith that eventually we would learn the lesson of history: that freedom is indivisible. We must grant freedom to others if we truly seek it for ourselves... Jews [are] the people commanded never to forget the bitter taste of slavery, so that [we] never take freedom for granted.”
Or as the song by the great blues singer Solomon Burke puts it: “None of us are free, as long as one of us is chained, no one of us is free.”
This is on us. Slavery still exists. And we are the people charged to remember it, and learn from it, and hopefully, end it... soon, in our own time.
Over the past few years, the number of countries, which includes the US, that have taken steps to implement the UN Protocol against Trafficking in Persons has doubled. This is a good thing at that level. But what can we, as individuals, do?
We can educate ourselves about what is going on. An internet search using the words “human trafficking” or “child soldiers” will bring up page after page of unbelievable statistics as well as information about the red flags that may indicate human trafficking, and things we can do to help stop it. As a first step, go to CNN’s The Freedom Project. Then… do… something. Your choice of the action, but do it now.
Anne Frank said: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Let's not wait a single moment longer to begin working to truly abolish slavery.
(23) David Buchalter, June 24, 2020 6:17 AM
What an interesting and wonderful article about an woman's amazing spiritual journey!
(22) Dr. Ed Marcus, June 24, 2020 3:34 AM
You are a gift! Your story sharing was most generous!!
Todah rabah!!
(21) Mike McElroy, June 23, 2020 10:32 PM
Thank you
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I see many parallels to my own
(20) Tammy, June 22, 2020 1:22 PM
Thank you for sharing
Than you for sharing your experiences. I also came out of the church with the faith questions. It is all such a process and the journey is fascinating and sometimes frustrating. Its so important to look for answers and not just rely on others. Thank you for your insight.
(19) Ashira, October 16, 2018 1:49 PM
Thank you
Thank you for sharing this Billye; I enjoyed reading it. I’m grateful to know this part of your story. ?
(18) Laya, June 18, 2018 12:03 PM
Child slaves
Children along the Ivory Coast in Africa are kidnapped and made salves to harvest the cacao to make the candy we eat. Pay a little bit more to buy fair trade (or direct trade etc often from South America). Maybe there is so much depression in the United States because we use so many products manufactured in sadness by slaves.
(17) Chaya, February 13, 2017 4:22 AM
Thought-provoking
This is a very interesting and inspiring article! What is there for for us to do about the sad reality of modern day slavery??
(16) KATHLEEN Dahnke Nottestad, January 18, 2017 9:32 PM
He is ALWAYS With YOU! ALWAYS!!
interesting story and life filled with exploring the many unknowns - thank you for sharing. we all are on a journey and I too have decided that thru nature and the Bible and other literature including this site is an avenue to exploring My God and how others veiw and celebrate his being. I can Not remember or imagine a time when he was NOT by my side. when in deep peaceful thought in my younger years - when being summoned back to reality and always asked where were you? I could NOT answer for I did NOT truly know - but it was sooo pleasant and yet nothing of what I saw or heard or experienced - remembered but enjoyed and returned rested and exstremely pleased - I was in his universe so what would not be pleasing and yet day dreaming into our unknown rehlm of peace. I think he was always there for you just needed to go in search of what you always had. Like the Wizard of OZ - and the journey to the realization it was always there but in the journey the realization was it was always right at her finger tips there's no place like home and the ones that love you never leave you always internally have them with you in memories and now you have more memories that helped bring you in a cycle of having had what you journeyed to find and returned back at the beginning knowing God was there every step of the way! The travels - geography- the experience priceless! again Thanks for sharing - God Bless!
(15) Tziporah Miriam, September 13, 2016 8:28 PM
Thank you!
To everyone who responded, thank you so much. Each and every one of you touched my heart.
Reuven Frank, June 24, 2020 3:50 AM
No. Thank YOU!
Stories such as yours are inspiring to All.
I know that, as someone born Jewish but who had to find my own path to Torah Judaism, I took my Jewishness for granted.
Stories like yours make me appreciate G-d and Judaism more.
You are an inspiration and
I feel Honored that we are now Fellow Jews.
(14) Moses, September 11, 2016 4:37 PM
I read this article and I like it.
I read you article and I find it deeply moving. I appreciate it, as well as your own personal diligence to seek God in your life. Good blessings to you on your journey and may He grant you the work of your hands as you strive for excellence and victory over evil.
(13) goldy rosenberg, August 28, 2016 2:57 PM
Know what it looks like here in US
Very important article. Many believe slavery doesn't happen in the USA. It, unfortunately, exists. The more folks know, the more likelihood of helping a victim. There are training modules on how to spot victims. This one-pager is not the best, but gives a very cursory description http://www.state.gov/j/tip/id/
Unfortunately, often runaway kids end up in situations like this and many foreigners. Awareness can make a difference.
(12) Teri, August 27, 2016 6:42 PM
Similar Experience with Christianity and Wiccan
At 63, I've had a number of religious questions and experiences. The Wiccan experience with rituals and nature led me to Judaism as well.
(11) Wes, August 24, 2016 2:29 AM
Thanks for sharing your journey home.
You were very brave. Thanks so much for sharing.
(10) Deborah, August 23, 2016 5:40 PM
Beautiful and Inspiring
Thanks for sharing. Slavery is a present reality, which is why no one should diminish the cruelty of slavery in the America's. Demeaning a historical atrocity is only paving the way of it to continue, as we see.
(9) Anonymous, August 23, 2016 11:06 AM
religion slavery
I hope I am not going to upset anyone, but i am seeing the bigger picture, some regilions want you to believe what they think is right, and you must not ask questions. I think that it is passed as slavery. Did God not take his people out of Egypt because of slavery and they believed in other gods? I don't have a regilion right now, but I really believe that Judaism is correct, once I released that their is only one God, God the creator, how my life has changed for me, I am proud anymore I ask God, God created me and God understands me. My late president fought long and hard for freedom of our people, and yet what have we done, we only want to help once a year on his birthday, why not help every day, that what he stood for, freedom, education, knowledge, helping the needy. God wants us to get wisdom and understanding, and I think once you get that you will be free.
(8) Lily, August 22, 2016 6:55 PM
Truly inspiring. I admire your courage to share your truth with the Aish community.
Truly inspiring. I admire your courage to share your truth with the Aish community. Thank you.
(7) Dorothy, August 22, 2016 5:16 PM
Kolla Kavod!
You go, girl! Kolla kavod.
(6) Malka, August 22, 2016 4:11 PM
Glad to see you are continuing to learn and grow!
Hello Billye Joyce!
You and I were in a web discussion group, Gereitzedek, for several years, so I'm delighted to meet up with you again through Aish and see that you are still learning and growing!
Malka
(5) Marlene Josephs, August 21, 2016 5:56 PM
This is why I can't understand how any black person can become a moslem!
The moslems have been and continue to be the biggest slavers in the world. What they do to black people, and others, is despicable, enslaving them as soldiers, sex slaves, etc. My heart bleeds for any kind of abuse, whether is to Israelis/Jews, Christians, Moslems or others. This is NOT how HaShem Meant for His Creations to live...that is for sure! Keep doing your holy work, Tsiporah Miriam. What could possibly be more important?!
Anonymous, August 22, 2016 8:29 AM
no more salvery in islamic countries brother
pls i want you to review the history and ask yourself who fight against this practice in the begining of the spread of islam , good believers work to free slave in ear of ignorance pls tell truth about islam , islam is not deach is not isis we are all brothers and sisters muslem , jew and christain
let us live brothers and sisters and let us fight the true enmy of the humainty those are wearing the name of islam and dirt it so much daech
Deborah, August 23, 2016 5:39 PM
Some Points...
You are right about the long-term existence of slavery in the Muslim world. But Arabs were trading slaves long before Islam. To be honest, the same criticism could be applied to slavery done in the name of Christianity. However, it is simplistic to assume there isn't more to know about Islam other than slavery. I am sure black people have their reasons for converting and I would leave that to them.
Jess, June 23, 2020 8:08 PM
Islam is unfortunately very racist
I have personally met blacks and POC who left Islam after finally actually reading the Quran and Hadiths, realizing how racist the religion is. Most people who convert to Islam do so without actually learning about the religion in detail. And 90% of converts to Islam leave within first few years. Easy to "convert to Islam" you just say a few words and thats it. Then converts actually learn about Islam, and promptly leave.
Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Listen and obey (your chief) even if he is an Ethiopian whose head is like a raisin."
Sahih Bukhari 1:11:662
The most hateful among the creation of Allah is the black man (Khwarij). One of his hand is like the teat of a goat or the nipple of the breast.
Sahih Muslim 5:2334
(4) Dvora, August 21, 2016 4:59 PM
Billeye Joyce
Well written and inspiring. I am a Jew. Never had interactions with African Americans until I was moved to Philadelphia where I met James, I never heard the N word till I arrived and it was James who was called one. In the Jewish home I was raised in, it was not permitted to call anyone a name. Maybe this is why I handled things the way I did. I looked up the definition in the dictionary. It meant low class person. I returned to James and reported my findings. I said a name caller is a low class person, I knew by the age of 7 about social justice. I told James that it's about respect. I told James that name caller was a coward and I thought he could teach him respect by whooping him. He asked, do YOU think I can win? Yes I do. Well James won the battle. He was so proud of himself. Then his Mama came around the corner. Miss Debbie, chile, did YOU tell my son to whoop that white boy? I most definitely did. She smacked me hard across the face. She believed he should get used to it. I disagreed, but I still respected her. In our teens, I was in their home and his mother asked me to describe James and my relationship. I said James and I were like peanut butter and jelly. His Mother said we were black eyed peas. Other African Families had a slave past and being of the oral tradition, like Judaism, the family Matriarch told the stories to the generations. There was no shame in it. I was proud to know them and be a part of it. They are all still a part of my family and always will be. No one is free if ONE is a slave. I agree.
(3) Nancy Stein, August 21, 2016 4:49 PM
Thank you for your touching & enlightening story.
(2) Sara Yoheved Rigler, August 21, 2016 4:27 PM
Great story, beautifully written
My sister Tziporah Miriam, I'm glad to have you in the tribe.
(1) peter, August 21, 2016 11:24 AM
the decision came from God
i pray for her and think it is really wise decision. God is with her.