Judaism Through My Eyes: A Personal Testimony

You know that feeling of accomplishment when you put your heart and soul into something and the result is right at your fingertips? 

That is what I am experiencing right now. Just over a year ago I set foot in my synagogue for the first time to convert and here I am just a few weeks away from the final step in the conversion process: the Mikveh. 

I am experiencing so many feelings right now, among them is completeness. A life-long journey searching for my spiritual home is over, and I have finally arrived. I have the rest of my life to flourish in my chosen faith, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds. 

But as I near the end of my conversion, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the journey and what being a part of the Jewish community means to me. It’s much more than just a religion, it’s a way of life and I could create a list a mile long discussing the wonderful things about my faith. But, for the sake of brevity, I have summed up the beauty of Jewish life into a much shorter list. Here are the 3 most important aspects of Judaism through my eyes. 

A Sacred Community

Being Jewish means being part of a sacred community built around faith in God. It means a commitment to lifelong learning and study. But, most importantly, being Jewish means you’re part of a loving and caring group focused on what is known as Tzedakah or charity. Giving is at the center of Judaism. Helping those in need is the responsibility of every Jew and something that is woven into every fiber of Jewish life. 

Not only have I witnessed this generosity in the Jewish community, I’ve been the recipient of it. Shortly after beginning my conversion studies, I lost my job and was left trying to figure out how to maintain some normality in my life. Without hesitation, leadership at my synagogue offered me a scholarship to continue. 

I was overwhelmed with emotion. I felt so supported by my new community and  to this day, the profound effect of giving means so much more since I have experienced this generosity first-hand. Being Jewish means being a blessing to others. 

A Vibrant Culture

I could go on for days discussing the wonders of Jewish culture. As a faith, Judaism is much more than attending a service once a week. It is a way of life that includes, music, food, and holiday celebrations. 

Music is woven throughout the Shabbat service and Holiday celebrations. For the recent Rosh Hashanah service at my local synagogue, a cantor shared his beautiful operatic voice with the congregation making the experience so much more emotionally moving. 

Food is an important part of Jewish culture. Choosing to eat Kosher means making the daily task of eating something holy and of God. I have enjoyed the opportunity to elevate the mundane act of eating into something spiritual. It is just another way being Jewish affects every aspect of life.

A Spiritual Road Map

Judaism provides a spiritual road map. Each holiday and month on the Jewish calendar means something and involves action on the part of Jews.  We recently completed the month of Elul. It’s during this month that we prepare for the new Jewish year. 

It is a time for reflection. During this time we look over the past year at what worked and what didn’t. We ask for forgiveness and forgive others. We come to terms with our mistakes and create a plan to change in the new year. 

Following the High Holy Days is Sukkot. Each year during this time Jews build huts commemorating the 40 years the Israelites spent in the desert and then they live in these little dwellings for a week. This is a time when God commands us to rejoice and celebrate life. The Jewish year is full of wonderful traditions that inspire action and create community.

Conclusion

I am counting the days until my conversion is complete. I am so excited and have enjoyed the journey. I am grateful for those who have guided me along the way. They have taught me the importance of giving, the wonders of Jewish culture, and how to navigate life as a Jew. As I continue this blog the perspective may change but my love for being Jewish will always be there. Shana Tova! Happy 5785!