eowyn

I think I should just update on whats been important to me this week.

First of all, Chag Semeach to everyone who knows what that means. Happy Sukkot and Happy New Year in general.

You wouldnt believe how much fun Jews are to party with!!!


Ive been spending a lot of time at the Hillel Jewish Center here on Campus. I got involved because I wanted to learn more about being Jewish.

Why you ask?

Well, my maternal grandmother is a very strong Catholic. My mom is just a catholic. She goes to church on easter and christmas, and she made sure I was raised Catholic and my sister is being raised cathoic but other than that, its not important.

I went to summer bible school (which is actually a lot of fun!! I miss it), CCD (which is catachism, or religious education for catholics. It basically prepared us for first reconsiliation, first communion, and finally our confirmation), and sang in the childrens chior a couple times. I also went to a christian preschool.

All throught my childhood, I thought that Chirstians were just Jews +. We were the same as Jews, we just belived Jesus was the Messiah and thats it. This is because we read the same book as the Jews, we learned the same bible stories (in fact, most 'bible stories' come from the old testament which is in fact the Jewish Holy Book, and the first half of the Christian Holy book for those of you who may not know). I never understood why we learned about the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt by Moses and all that and yet we didnt celebrate Passover. In fact I remember being probably 8 years old and praying on Passover because I didnt know how else to celebrate the holiday, and I was really upset about that.

So when I got older and realize just how much 'not' jewish I was, I was really upset. I mean this wasnt like a sudden realization, but a gradual over time thing, but I was still upset about the whole thing, because I just dont understand why Christians dont still practice Judaism. It just doesnt make sence!!

So when I moved away from my parents to a place where everyone was looking for themselves and I was given a clean plate, because essentially no one knew me, I took advantage of it, and I decided that I was going to become a better Jew.

Now unfortunetly I had to lie about actually being Jewish. Which really upset me, I mean I dont want to lie to these people at ALL, but I know that I would not be treated the same if they knew that I wasnt Jewish.

So I just told them that my mother was Jewish, but my father was not, and that I grew up without any real religious upbringing, and that my mother was a non-practicing jew and my father didnt even get baptized until a few months ago (for the record, everything about my father is true, just my mother is a lie).

Its been hard, but its also been the best time of my life. Im learning so much, and its amazing how its filling this whole inside of me thats been there for so long. Im so incredibly happy right now (spiritually at least).

And the best part!!! I told my dad today (I told him because I had mentioned that they have been feeding me. Thats right, become Jewish and they feed you. Woohoo!! Not to mention the gorgeous Jewish men... just think Adrian Brody and Josh Groban... yum...) and he said that it was wonderful and that he totally agreed with me about believing that being a good Christian ment being a good Jew as well. And he wants me to teach him about Judaica as well!! IM SO FRIGGING EXCITED!!! Its so wonderful to have someone to share you spiritual beliefs with, and its also great to have something you love that you can share with a family member in another generation ya know?

So too everyone I say this. I hope you find spiritual fufillment as I have.

Peace y'all.