from Vegas

Describe the factors which have drawn you to Judaism.
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> > Monotheism is the main factor that led me to Judaism. This is something I’ve believed for as long as I can remember, but couldn’t get past Christianity’s assertion that God was the whole of several parts or that there are 3 separate forms of God.
> > I regarded Christianity as well-meaning, but naïve and politely removed myself from its influence.
> > I sat in a kind of limbo, feeling a spiritual hunger, more or less reconciling myself to spiritual frustration.
> > It took a reading of the book Exodus to start me on the road to discovering Judaism. The thinking, the logic, the beauty, the heroism, the values, are all factors which drew me to this splendid way of life. The more I read, the more fascinated I became and the greater the sense of “this is right and good” became.
> > Since my initial discovery of Judaism, all that I have read and learned have increased my resolve to become a Jew and have served to foment a love for it.
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> > 2. Which Jewish values do you find most appealing and persuasive?
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> > The ethical morality Judaism champions provides an effective base for study of more specific value-driven behaviors. This is the single most significant value for me.
> > The values that the various mitzvot represent are important to me. The value of reverence for all life, something I have always felt, speaks a great deal to me.
> > The value of life-long learning appeals to me.
> > The value of tzedakah is meaningful and important to me, and appeals to my naturally generous nature.
> > To chose only a few of those values I feel strongly about certainly does not diminish all the other values of Judaism. Those I have listed are those I have an especial feeling for.
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> > 3. How is Judaism more appropriate for you than your former religion or worldview/lifestyle?
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> > Judaism has realistic grasp of life and what it means to be alive on the Earth and how mankind must conduct itself during the time allotted it here.
> > Judaism is concerned more with our present lives and happiness than whatever may be awaiting us after death. These make sense to me, are things that I have felt, and that I am completely comfortable aligning myself with.
> > I find it offensive and repulsive to be asked to subscribe to a philosophy that regards “life after death” as man’s primary goal and the basic feeling that man is just treading water during his short time on Earth, or, in addition, one that allows any validity to the “original sin” nonsense.
> > The precepts of Judaism are much, much more appropriate for me. Its philosophy and sense of life are completely compatible with mine as well as the attitude that life is proactive rather than reactive.
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> > 4. Describe your understanding of and relationship to God.
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> > My concept and understanding of God is that He is a supreme, vast intelligence; a being without physical form who is the master creator.
> > I like to think that I have a basic relationship with God that will be ever-increasing, and as I grow in my adopted religion, so will my devotion and appreciation of God. As it is right now, I stand wide-eyed and open-mouthed in awe of Him and the amazing reality He has created; at the enormity of the universe and at the tiniest particle of matter. That will never change, but as I become more comfortable, my relationship with God will deepen and become even more meaningful and valuable, not just for me, but hopefully for Him as well.
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> > 5. How has your personal and home life changed because of Jewish tradition? How do see your Jewish life progressing in the future?
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> > I find myself centering much more on Judaism. I can say confidently that I have fallen in love with it, and that I am excited at the prospect of redefining myself and my life.
> > So far, my personal life hasn’t really changed as far as my relationships with others. As for myself, I am thinking more Jewishly in that I am connecting and applying what I think, what I eat, and how I behave with what I’ve learned.
> > I will be moving soon, and I plan to make my new home a Jewish home, and
> > I am actively shopping for those things that will help me to achieve that end.
> > My children are supportive of my decision, which I appreciate, though I’d proceed even if they felt differently.
> > As I look to the future, my Jewish life will grow more solid as I become more confident and knowledgeable about Judaism. I must confess to having a lot of fun and I am thoroughly enjoying my studies.
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> > 6. Describe your sense of identification with the Jewish people in relation to Israel, world Jewry, the local Jewish community and your synagogue.
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> > My sense of identification with the Jewish people, be it in relation to Israel, locally or with a synagogue is a work-in-progress.
> > I am actively developing a personal Jewish identity and expect identification with the Jewish people will evolve and proceed from that.
> > I can say that so far, I can identify with Jewry insofar as being in agreement with Jewish philosophical values and religious precepts.
> > I wish to become a part of the struggle of the Jews in Israel and have plans to participate in activities designed to further Israeli efforts.
> > There are organizations locally that I will be a part of in order to do my part for the less fortunate, and I look forward to becoming a member of a local synagogue.
> > In short, I guess you could say that my life will revolve around Judaism, and I’ve begun to make the transition from my previous life to my new-found life.
> > These are all things I can do that will help to concretize my identification with the Jewish people.
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> > 7. What is your commitment to prayer, Shabbat and keeping kosher?
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> > Among others, one thing I am studying is Hebrew. To me, prayer is more meaningful if done in Hebrew. I enjoy learning the language and when I become able to really pray in Hebrew, I‘ll have realized one of my goals in my commitment to prayer.
> > My ability to recite prayers in Hebrew right now is limited, but my resolve to improve is not. I have very strong commitments to prayer, Shabbat and keeping kosher.
> > A goal of mine is to be able to attend Shabbat services weekly. As it is, I’m able to view online services, though there’s nothing like being there.
> > I have been keeping kosher now for many weeks and as I learn more, I am able to fine-tune my observance of Kashrut. Keeping kosher is a challenge, but I’m equal to the task.
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> > 8. How do you plan to continue your Jewish study?
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> > Over the last 9 or 10 months that I have been studying Judaism, my enthusiasm for it has grown. My Jewish library has also grown. I am a strong and devoted book lover, and as I progress in my studies of Judaism, the subject matter of most of my books is evolving and my collection of Judaica is growing and will continue to do so.
> > There is much to learn, but there are many resources to use. The internet is a wonderful tool. For some time now I have had many Jewish-learning websites bookmarked for current and future learning. I am receiving several web-based newsletters and emails from several of these sites.
> > Since there is such a vast amount of information, I look forward to many years of study.
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