By Ralph Chadis
It was 1980-ish, and I, having grown up in a Reform Congregation, wanted to see what a more Jewish way of Jewish was like. I didn’t have a clue what that meant. I knew I didn’t want that wall thing between men and women; I did want more of the traditional stuff (whatever that means); I didn’t want a choir loft with an organ; and I was terrified there would be Hebrew.
Someone suggested Havurat Shalom – in a house? Oye! Some folks sat on the floor? Oye gevalt! But I was greeted with a big smiling hug from Reena Kling. I stayed for the service. A few weeks later I returned, then again. I figured out that after the Torah thingy there was a discussion (“Dee-Vah”?). Eventually I said something, and no one laughed. One day I heard someone say, “What does that Rabbi know about meat? He’s a vegetarian.” That was in present tense about some Rabbi a few centuries back.
I was hooked. I was greeted by the folks as one of them! I decided that when I wanted to do whatever it is they do there I would go there to do it. The High Holidays were crazy – such crowds, and all day. What were they doing? Oye vey!
I felt like I was marinating in this Jewish stuff. I was learning; learning that this stuff can be learned. It was interesting, and getting more so; eventually I became curious. One day I went to Israel Book Shop and asked for Etz Hayim and they knew what I meant! I mean I knew what I meant.
So, I continued to marinate – trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon.
These days I’ve learned to follow the traditions and think I know enough to say intelligent things; I listen to the congregation sing together; I still don’t sit on the floor. I give D’vrei Torah; I’m learning Hebrew and studying Talmud - it’s not so hard: confusing, annoying, edifying, interesting, and it makes me think one teaspoon at a time.
That’s all I have to say. I need to go and marinate – while standing on one foot.
Thank you all for the patient teaching.
Someone suggested Havurat Shalom – in a house? Oye! Some folks sat on the floor? Oye gevalt! But I was greeted with a big smiling hug from Reena Kling. I stayed for the service. A few weeks later I returned, then again. I figured out that after the Torah thingy there was a discussion (“Dee-Vah”?). Eventually I said something, and no one laughed. One day I heard someone say, “What does that Rabbi know about meat? He’s a vegetarian.” That was in present tense about some Rabbi a few centuries back.
I was hooked. I was greeted by the folks as one of them! I decided that when I wanted to do whatever it is they do there I would go there to do it. The High Holidays were crazy – such crowds, and all day. What were they doing? Oye vey!
I felt like I was marinating in this Jewish stuff. I was learning; learning that this stuff can be learned. It was interesting, and getting more so; eventually I became curious. One day I went to Israel Book Shop and asked for Etz Hayim and they knew what I meant! I mean I knew what I meant.
So, I continued to marinate – trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon.
These days I’ve learned to follow the traditions and think I know enough to say intelligent things; I listen to the congregation sing together; I still don’t sit on the floor. I give D’vrei Torah; I’m learning Hebrew and studying Talmud - it’s not so hard: confusing, annoying, edifying, interesting, and it makes me think one teaspoon at a time.
That’s all I have to say. I need to go and marinate – while standing on one foot.
Thank you all for the patient teaching.
Ralph Chadis is a story teller and member of Havurat Shalom.
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