%%USERNAME%%    %%ACCWORDS%% %%ONOFF%% |
My journal about my conversion to Judaism. |
| I started writing my conversion story in June 2023, even though it started before then. It will not be in chronological order as I remember things from the past that brought me to this point in my life. My decision to convert was not an easy one. I grew up Pentecostal. I watched my grandma speak in tongues. My aunt played keyboard in the church band. I used to attend church (a member of a Baptist church for many years) 3 to 4 times a week. I did not start my journey of healing after my divorce and expect to end up here. However, my desire and work to grow closer to G-d has left me no doubt or question about where I am now. I have no hesitation in my conversion to Judaism. This is my story of leaving Christianity and becoming a part of a people that I will be able to, one day, proudly say that I am also. A Jew. |
| Today is the last day of Chanukah. It was been a quick and busy week with attending activities after work almost every day. Monday I saw a public menorah lighting which I was excited was only a block away from work. I ate latkes and doughnuts along with a taco (no cheese) bar. I was able to see the menorah lit every day except Friday. When it was dark, the phrase, "The darkness is coming" ran across my mind. Maybe it was because of a story I heard recently about a little girl who was devastated when a neighbor's menorah was turned off after the Australia shooting, and maybe it was because of the Stranger Things new season (I had to watch it so I could discuss it with my students), but I only let it run through my mind for a moment. My response to the thought was, "I guess I will need to be an extra light today." On Wednesday, I turned a test review into a game with dreidels at work, and then went to a Macabeats concert. I ate gelt at work and latkes and doughnuts at the concert. Thursday, with heartburn, I attended a dinner and fundraiser for the people recovering in the hospital from the shooting in Australia. It was a good evening, and I enjoyed good food as well as latkes and doughnuts. On Friday night, I went to dinner at a friend's house. For desert, we had doughnuts. On Shabbat, I had doughnuts again for desert. Today, I worked Chanukah Wonderland again. I can't imagine what Chanukah would be like if I didn't get to see so many kids this week. It was fun, even if I now understand why it is a real thing to start a diet in the new year. It has nothing to do with the new year and everything to do with all the latkes and doughnuts for Chanukah! On a serious note, as I finish my first Chanukah as a Jew, I can say that I understand the worry that the darkness is winning, however, in addition to all the latkes and doughnuts, I have also had a week of meeting new people from different faiths and countries. I assure you, the darkness hasn't gotten everyone in any country. Even the ones the news portrays it as so. Never give up hope. There is light in the world. There is goodness in the world. When you don't see it in the world, shine your light a little bit brighter and be the light for others. Happy Chanukah!   |
| Tonight is the first night of Chanukah. It is the start of my first Chanukah season as a Jew. I spent a couple of hours watching children decorate a foam menorah, make latkes, and bounce on a giant dreidel. It was a good, fun, and joy filled couple of hours. After the sun went down, I lit my first Chanukah candles and sat and watched them burn over an hour until they went out. I thanked Hashem for this moment and this day. I thanked him for all of the blessings that he has given me. I know I am blessed. The day wasn't perfect, and it had me wondering if there will ever be a holiday that is not marred by tragedy. No one was surprised by the attack in Australia, nor any other attack that has happened recently. I think that is just as sad. When will life be sacred to the world again? Has it ever been? Even in the midst of another tragedy, I lit my candles with a fresh feeling of thankfulness and hope. I watched as cars slowed down to look in my patio door at he menorah as they were driving past. What impact does that tiny light have on the world? Does it have any? I don't know. I think there are moments in our lives when we don't need to focus on the rest of the world but, instead, to focus on ourselves and our own spiritual journey. I have hopes and dreams for a better and more loving world, yes, but I also have hopes to attend three menorah lightings, attend a concert, and a dinner all before Shabbat starts. These may seem like small insignificant events in the light of so much tragedy, but they are small moments of hope, happiness, and light. My light may be small in a world filed with so much sadness, but as long as it keeps shining, I'm going to cling to hope, to happiness, and to light. Happy Chanukah.  |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
Puzzle Hub
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
