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ESSAY FOR CONVERSION CANDIDACY

Describe the factors that have drawn you to Judaism.
I am the product of an interfaith marriage. My mother is Catholic and my father is Jewish. My parents sought to expose my older sister and me to both Catholic and Jewish traditions. As a child and young adult I took part in Jewish holidays and attended synagogue for the High Holy Days with my father’s family. I felt like an outsider to Judaism. I was, and still am, considered a Jew by my family, friends and co-workers. However, when I attended my family’s conservative synagogue to worship as a Jew, I was not considered a Jew.
While a myriad of factors have drawn me to Judaism, the impetus of my identifying myself as Jewish was the passing of my paternal grandmother while I was in college. In addition to the loss of my grandmother, I also felt a loss of connection to my family’s past. Being a practicing Jew brings me closer to my grandmother, grandfather, and other relatives who are no longer with me physically. I can carry on their memory through my commitment to Judaism.
My parents did their best to guide my sister and I spiritually. They always communicated that we could choose our own religion, whether it be Catholicism, Judaism, or another religion. When my sister was twelve years old, and I eight, she chose to be baptized and make her first communion in the Catholic Church. At this time my parents asked me if I wanted to explore a religion and I recall telling them I wanted to be both Catholic and Jewish. As a young girl I felt connected to Judaism but I also wanted to emulate my older sister. Instead, I put off my exploration of Judaism. This is not to say I did not participate in Jewish holidays and traditions.
Another factor that has drawn me to Judaism is the fact that my best friend and neighbor growing up was Jewish. I stood by her side and cheered her on as she prepared for her Bat Mitzvah. I spent a lot of time celebrating Shabbat at her house, as well as life cycle events. In fact, my first Shabbat experience was with her family. I vividly recall watching her mom light the candles and say the prayers. Afterwards, we shared relaxing family meal. I remember having the desire to observe Shabbat after that.
Between 2001 and 2003 I attended Shabbat services somewhat regularly at Makom Shalom, a Jewish Renewal Synagogue in Printer’s Row. This was certainly a warm and welcoming community. At this synagogue I was finally able to worship as a Jew. I felt a great connection to the rabbi. However, when he retired, I found that I sought a more traditional synagogue.

Which Jewish values do you find most appealing and persuasive?
The Jewish value that I find most appealing and persuasive if Tikkun Olam. I feel a strong sense of responsibility toward social justice in both my professional and personal life. As a second grade I teacher I have the massive responsibility for preparing young people to be productive members of society. In teaching seven and eight year olds reading, writing, math, science and social studies I practice Tikkun Olam daily. I take my commitment a step further in modeling and teaching Tikkun Olam to my students. Whether they offer a hug to an upset friend, donate a can of food to a food drive or write a letter to our president advocating for education and social service programs, they are learning the practice of leaving the world around them a little bit better than they found it.

How is Judaism more appropriate for you than your former religion or worldview/lifestyle?
I do not see my conversion to Judaism as replacing another religion, given my background. I am strengthening and extending my commitment to Judaism by converting. Simply put, it is legitimizing what I have always known to be true in my heart: I am a Jew.

Describe your understanding of and relationship to God.
As a preschooler, I recall having an image of God as King Friday from Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. This is obviously no longer my image of God. God has no body, shape or form. God is incorporeal. I understand God to be Creator of the Universe. I believe that God is one. My relationship with God gives me guidance and order in my life.

How has your personal and home life changed because of Jewish tradition? How do you see your Jewish life progressing in the future?
My personal and home lives have not changed significantly because of Jewish tradition. I continue to observe holidays with family, light Yartzeit candles for family members who have passed on, and attend synagogue for the High Holy Days. I certainly see my Jewish life progressing in the future. I want to observe Shabbat on a more regular basis. My extended family and I are beginning to do this with a Shabbat gathering on March 27th in celebration of my conversion. I also have a desire to attend services throughout the year instead of just the High Holy Days. I enjoyed doing so when I was a member of Makom Shalom. Now it is just a matter of finding a synagogue where I feel comfortable worshipping. I plan to attend services at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, which is not far from where I live.

Describe your sense of identification with the Jewish people in relation to Israel, world Jewry, the local Jewish community and your synagogue.
I have always identified with the Jewish people. Israel and the Jewish people are an extension of my family’s Eastern European background and a continuation of those who were lost in the Holocaust.

What is your commitment to prayer, Shabbat and keeping kosher?
I see prayer as an ongoing personal conversation with God. Observance of Shabbat is an opportunity to devote more time to that conversation.

How do you plan to continue your Jewish study?
I am committed to learning Hebrew. I also want to broaden by knowledge of Judaism by enrolling in adult education courses.