When my 17-year-old boyfriend asks me if I want to go to church on a Sunday morning, I don’t bat an eyelash. I am thrilled to go wherever he is going, even if his mother is coming along.
I go to church two or three times. The tall, suited men look at my naïve face with hope, and grin at my six-foot-two boyfriend whose Mohawk is combed down so you almost can’t tell. I sit quietly next to my boyfriend and his mother, and afterward we go to brunch.
A couple of months later, he asks me if I want to go to bible study. Again, I shrug. We go to a meeting room someplace where a few of those same smiling men from church gather around a conference table.
They joke with me, pass me a cup of soda, and point to their bibles. They cite passages I’ve never heard of, and say, “So you see, you just need to believe.” If I do, great. If not, my boyfriend promises the next world will be a bit of an uncomfortable experience for me.
Although I never go back, I am confused. I want so badly to believe in something.
I barely know anything about my own religion. I knew how to chant my entire bat mitzvah portion, went to Jewish camp, and had Passover Seder and Shabbat dinners at my grandparents’ house. My grandmother made chicken soup, matzo balls and tongue, and put a lace doily on her head when she lit the candles. My grandfather recited the “long” kiddush, and my family, plus my aunt, uncle and cousins all stood up, holding our own little cups filled with Manischevitz wine. In their house I could feel Judaism, even though it wasn’t taught or articulated.
But at my parents’ house, we don’t say the traditional prayers on Friday night. My parents call themselves “humanistic” Jews. Over the Shabbat candles, we all say together, “Blessed is the light of the world, blessed is the light of the person, blessed is the light of Shabbat.” We’d go to retreats in the mountains, where we’d do art projects while our parents attended “ethical culture” meetings.
We light menorahs every Hanukkah beside our fireplace where my parents hang Hanukkah stockings filled with tzotchkes.
As a searching teen, I acquire a fascination with the Greek gods. With a non-Jewish friend, I pore over books about them, learn who was who and what they control. I even have conversations with Zeus on my solitary walk home from school.
I imagine being consumed by a gaping black hole of nothingness. The thought terrifies me.
At our house, God is nowhere to be found. I remember asking my mother where God was, what God was. She doesn’t know what to say.
I realize that death will be the end of all things. My parents will die, I will die, and all will be over. I imagine being consumed by a gaping black hole of nothingness.
The thought terrifies me. I don’t know what to do with it. Usually, I just push it as far back into my consciousness as possible.
Exploring Judaism
Fast forward five years. I have long since dropped my punk rock boyfriend and graduated college. My best friend from Jewish summer camp and I take our long-awaited adventure to Europe and Israel. In Israel, we volunteer on a Haifa army base for three weeks, have a blast, and reluctantly travel to Europe, promising each other that we’ll return to Israel right after.
Six weeks later, we do. But this time, we head to Jerusalem. We get “picked up” at the Wall by Rabbi Meir Shuster and go to a family for our first Shabbos dinner experience. For real, with all the rules we never knew, but also with all the joy and serenity we never knew.
We start taking classes at an introductory Torah learning program in the Old City. We learn about things we’ve never heard. I’m discussing with rabbis and teachers about the purpose of the world, the meaning of existence, what God is. We have deep discussions into the night at our dorm. I’m slowly getting some answers to the questions I never even knew how to articulate – but in my own religion.
I’m surprised by how much Judaism is resonating with me. And then the phone calls start.
I find out Judaism believes in reincarnation, in the eternality of the soul. There is so much I never imagined was any part of Judaism. There is no more gaping black hole of nothingness. I’m surprised by how much Judaism is resonating with me.
And then the phone calls start.
Brainwashed
Dad calmly confides that he and mom are a little worried about me. “There are lots of fanatics in Jerusalem.” My parents’ rabbi suggests I attend a non-Orthodox institution since all the other seminaries and yeshivas brainwash innocent American kids.
I tell them that we’re just learning about Judaism, that we are still the same. No one has taken over our brains and we’re still thinking and asking questions. Tons of questions. And we’re even learning Hebrew! Isn’t that great?
Then Mom gets on the phone. She insists that I check out this other learning program. She tells me that I have to keep an open mind.
I tell her, gently, that maybe they should also keep an open mind.
Mom informs me that she and Dad are coming to visit, which isn’t surprising, given our two-month trip has now turned into six with no return tickets. They’ll be there in a couple weeks. I ask my mother to bring me warmer clothes. And long skirts.
Collision
It’s good to see my parents, but somewhat strange. Suddenly my two worlds collide in a big way. My newfound world of Orthodox Judaism and my “real life” that I’d left back in the States. My parents attend some classes, dutifully go to Shabbos meals with me. They watch it all warily, looking at me and my friends with suspicion. And they don’t trust the rabbis, either. After all, these are the folks whom my father called meshuganas back home we’d see them walking on a Saturday when we’d venture into the Orthodox enclave in our city.
For the first time in my life I feel I am getting thought-provoking answers to my questions that my parents could not provide me.
I wonder why my parents did not say one word to me when I was seriously dating a Christian and attending church and bible study. Yet here, in Jerusalem, surrounded by people who are observing the same commandments my great-grandparents had kept, my parents were so concerned, panicked.
I don’t have the courage to ask.
I believe my parents, like so many Jews of their generation, are happy to be free of what they felt was the burden of Judaism. And I understand where they’re coming from since they view the Torah laws as antiquated and irrelevant, as I did growing up. But the more I learn about Torah Judaism, the more relevant and exciting it becomes.
For the first time in my life I feel I am getting thought-provoking answers to my questions that my parents could not provide me.
My parents return home and I stay in Israel for a year, learning, experiencing Shabbat with families, finding role models and discovering who I want to be.
And even now, many years later, the more Torah I learn and integrate into my life – and teach to my own children – the more meaningful my life becomes.
(11) miriam fishman, February 14, 2017 7:05 AM
lovely, lovely story
what a lovely, lovely, story (your true story) How blessed you were to have been Guided to Jerusalem. B"H yom yom. May you continue to be Blessed in all you do, and with much family continuing the line, until Moshiach may that be very soon
miriam fishman los angeles
(10) Anonymous, February 14, 2017 12:49 AM
Reply to Eli Willner
The 13th Principle of Maimonides, acc. to chabad.org is:
"13. The belief in the resurrection of the dead."
No mention of reincarnation.
Maybe he "could stand some of the same Jewish education that the author of this article partook of."
Dvirah, February 16, 2017 8:44 PM
Reincarnation vs Resurrection
Reincarnation is a concept found in the Kabbalah but not really a part of "mainstream" Jewish philosophy. I am not learned enough to explain the connection between Reincarnation and Resurrection but there is one. Among the Jewish philosophers, those more inclined to mysticism are likely to support the idea of Reincarnation while those who prefer the "rational" shy away from it.
Anonymous, February 19, 2017 6:40 AM
Reincarnation is very much a part of Mainstream Jewish Philosphy
Where have you been?
I'm a Conservative Jew and reincarnation is very much a part of "mainstream" Jewish philosophy. We study Kabbalah and Musar in my "mainstream" shul.
You are right, you're not learned.
(9) jim, February 13, 2017 8:30 PM
jewish difficulties, more than a few!
i was helped as a goy child 5-13 yrs old by practising jews, what specifically, i don't know, but that was all i had given me by G-d alongside fully disfunctional parents! i got to have children friends, synogogue, holy days, and zionistic expectations...needless to say, i am a jew to myself and HaShem, study hebrew Torah, and do my part for moschiach. jews are great, i cry that they have so much trouble.
(8) Dina Leah, February 13, 2017 7:04 PM
I'm so glad you found Judaism
I grew up a little like you in a Reform congregation. Dad had discovered Reform when a teen & liked English, no Hebrew, & no kippah or tallit. Also, no kashrut. I had no idea what Judaism meant. I went to Sunday school, but Shabbat was a regular day, one to clean my room.
It's no wonder my younger sister converted to Catholicism to marry her 1st husband. Although they divorced, her 2nd & current husband is Christian but no affiliation or even bible study. My sister wears a cross. Ironically, my niece who wore a cross ended up marrying a secular Jew in US. I believe their son was circumcised but no bris ceremony.
I lived in Israel from 1973-83. I was married & had my son. But, we were secular Israelis. I went once to a shul, couldn't understand what was going on & left. I ended up divorced, lost custody as my ex's condition to receive my Get. I left Israel & said forget Judaism. I married a non-Jew agnostic. But, then with disabilities, I began searching and ended up back at Reform synagogue. But, I wanted more. Now, too old to go to seminary, but married to a Jew, I've been studying online with Aish webinars. Now, my parents are totally confused. I cover my hair, wear long skirts, don't travel on Shabbat. Mom has dementia so I give her leeway & gave her a peak at my hair. But, dad feels betrayed & I feel he has nearly disowned me. Dad doesn't believe in G-d. As a scientist, he believes in science. Most of my Iewish relatives are atheists & humanists. We were taught kosher not needed due to refrigerators & cooking.
My husband is having some problems with my changing, He thinks I'm a religious fanatic. He is spiritual, but not into Halacha. But, we go to Chabad, & he supports me putting up mezuzot, lighting Shabbat candles, & not cooking, etc. He does his thing & I don't push. But, we both crave more Jewish study. Our grandparents would approve:)
(7) Steve Edge, February 13, 2017 6:31 PM
searcher
Hi,
This is the kind of thing I have been looking for all my life Just yearning for something to believe in, being a mature person I have considered every religion in life, but judaism appeals to me most and I would love to be a part of it. Any advice yourselves could forward to enable me fulfilling my dream would be greatly appreciated.
I'm 56, live alone and require belief.
Please help!
Best Wishes and Kindest Regards.
Mr. Stephen Edge
(6) Anonymous, February 13, 2017 7:40 AM
Inactive Members of the Cult?
I had a friend with a parallel story. She was learning about Observant Judaism is Jerusalem. Her parents, proud non-observant Jews, came out to "rescue" her. She tried to have a reasonable conversation with them, but they were in a panic and kept talking about brainwashing. Finally, when her mom lost it, raised her voice and said, "You're in a cult! It's just a cult!", she said to her parents in exasperation,
"So what does that make you guys? Inactive members of the cult?"
(5) Jeff G, February 12, 2017 8:43 PM
Maimonides not for Reincarnation
Most Jews do NOT believe in reincarnation - in this world, anyway - and do not interpret the Rambam (Maimonides) as supporting that belief. The last of Rambam's 13 Principles of Faith is generally accepted (except by a marginal minority of "spiritualists" and "Kabbalists") as referring to belief in reunification of a righteous person's body and soul IN THE WORLD TO COME, in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden); and/or the ultimate resurrection of the dead and rejoining of their bodies and souls when the Mashiach (Messiah) comes. There's a good Aish article about Rambam's 13th principle: http://www.aish.com/sp/ph/48929597.html?mobile=yes
(4) shimon, February 12, 2017 5:47 PM
we are our own enemy
all those who belittle their Judaism dont understand the damage they cause their children and themselves ultimately.
reform judaisim or any other movement besides orthodox Judaism is nothing but deadly poison for the jewish people.
there is no continuation , they brought the holocaust on us.
(3) Anonymous, February 12, 2017 4:56 PM
Torah Judaism IS Emes!
That is all there is to say.
(2) Anonymous, February 12, 2017 3:23 PM
Good for you
(1) Dave, February 12, 2017 2:41 PM
Boy was I shocked, I had to defend Judaism to my Parents!
Another Great Article! When I went to the Aish Discovery program and when I started observing Shabbos my mom asked me if I was ok... I'm clear that it was genuine concern. I dated not exclusively but many non Jewish who also didn't know about their religions. I was drawn mostly to those that had passion but when the rubber hit the road I just couldn't build the relationship further knowing that I was to marry a Jewish girl. But I didn't know why. Yes it's an irony that until my 40s I was unable to defend Judaism. I highly recommend The DIscovery Program if you find yourself in Jerusalem and anywhere remotely "on the fence" about our Judaism. The way I see it is that everybody before us either Saw the signs and got out, saw the signs and fought back and survived(we don't win, we survive till the next antisemitic rise) or were "Just Lucky". Well, since I don't believe that we have the "Just Lucky" genetics we go back to the first two! When we honor that we raise our relatives spirits in heaven and I can't think of a better way to thank Hashem and those before me for my life! Judaism / Emes is worth defending! But yes, often we have to Unlearn garbage and notions that got us there in the first place!