My Conversion Essay       September 14, 2007

I feel like all of my life I have been traveling down the road that led me to Judaism. I have been researching different faiths for some time. Except for a lack of spirituality, I felt I had a happy life in all other aspects. Originally, I began to be interested in Judaism because of watching a television show called “Shalom in the Home.” Rabbi Boteach shared many of the teachings of Judaism in his help with families in crisis, by beginning with lines such as “In our religion, we believe,” or “A wise Jew once said,” and  I found great insight into my life struggles through the parables he told.. In doing some research, I found my core beliefs matched up with Judaism, and wanted to learn more. I began to do more reading, and my husband and I began attending temple services. I feel I have come home, and that some part of my soul has always been Jewish. I have felt this so strongly in fact that I even began to research my genealogy to see if perhaps I had Jewish ancestors (I did not find any.)

I find a comfort in the age-old traditions of Judaism. I especially like the fact that Judaism encourages questions rather than discouraging them, as I had found in other religions. As a former teacher, I also value the emphasis on continuing study, to prepare me for the daily life I should be living. I believe that the Ten Commandments, as given to Moses, instructed us to love only ONE God. I have never believed nor rationalized the concept of the “trinity.” I also have never believed in the concept of “original sin.” I just found so many of the beliefs of Judaism lined up with beliefs I have always had during my life.

I have never had strong ties to any other church, being raised in an atheist home, although I have tried many different Protestant denominations. I took my children to the Baptist church when they were young, and one of them continues to practice that faith now, but the other two have different views.  I feel at my present stage in life, I need and would find comfort in Judaism and it’s traditions. Even though we have family of other faiths, I have shared my interest in Judaism with them and they have been supportive of my “finding what makes me happy and fulfilled in my spiritual life.”

We have really been given “food for thought” through the messages that the Rabbi has taught during the services we have attended, and we have found insight and guidance into the areas of our life that need improvement. We are very new on the journey into Judaism, but I have begun to cook some traditional Jewish foods, we attend temple regularly, and my prayer life has improved. We have begun to purchase some Judaica items for our home. We have begun to keep the Sabbath day as a separate day of rest and reflection. I realize there is much I do not know, but I believe through this course, I will continue to learn and grow in my knowledge of Judaism and this will become into a life-long journey of learning of this faith.

Honestly, I am not as knowledgeable as I would like to be concerning the history and current situation in Israel. My husband was a college history major and has been helping me to learn more about the history of the Jewish people. We have begun to make friends and socialize with other couples who attend our temple. I have begun to become more aware of the issues concerning Israel, historical and present day Jewish persecution. I feel my heart is with the Jewish people, and I feel that, in my heart, I am Jewish, although not yet officially. I want to become more involved in our temple, and hope to one day be able to use my educational background to help as a teacher in the children’s learning programs at the temple we attend.

I will give of both my time and my resources to better my community. I will be generous to those who need my help. We will contribute financially as we are able to our local temple, and to other Jewish causes. I will be compassionate and loving to those who are hurting.

I admit I do not know the Jewish prayers, but am committed to learn and to develop an active, meaningful prayer life. As often as we can we will attend the Shabbat services regularly as well as the holiday services. I am just beginning to learn about the kosher laws but will do whatever I learn that God requires of me.

We will build a library of Judaism books for study. We have already begun with a Jewish Study Bible, and several books on Jewish lifestyle. I will continue to strive daily to study and put into practice the things that I am learning.

Even though I am new in the study of Judaism, I already love the tenets of the faith, the God of the Jewish people, the Torah, the temple services, and the people. I want to be a part of all of this, and find my place among other Jews.