ESSAY:

I have felt a long-time dissatisfaction with the inconsistencies in the Christian doctrine. I was always bothered by the idea of their being so many men between me and God. I like Judaism because of the belief of “one God” and being allowed to think and question.

My religion has always been Christian because that is what I had grown up with culturally, and I didn’t know any difference, but I have always felt I should be able to have a relationship with God without all these other people, such as the “trinity,” the priests, and all the other things Christianity throws in the way of being able to communicate with God.

I think Judaism will be an 180 degree opposite of what I’ve grown up with. I believe it is something I could more easily assimilate and spiritually accept than Christianity. I have already changed to regularly attending Shabbat services and as I learn the rest of it, I will incorporate it into my life.

As a student of history, I have become familiar with the trails and tribulations of the Jewish people over the centuries, such as the Inquisition and the Holocaust, and have always felt great empathy for the people who suffered through those events. Even in modern times, all the anti-Jew, anti-Israel fervor in the world is something that, even when I considered myself Christian, I always identified with.

I have always given freely of my time and resources, as much as I can, to causes in my community, and as a Jew, would continue to do so.

I have already become consistent in attending Shabbat services. I need to be become more familiar with Jewish prayer and Hebrew. As I come to understand keeping Kosher, I will incorporate that into my life. I wish to continue to learn all that I can about Jewish laws, traditions, and practice.