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Creating New JewsSeptember 2005From the Desk of Rabbi CohonThey range in age from 27 to 77, and have lived everywhere from Mexico to China to Rhode Island to the Czech Republic. Their ancestors include secret Jews who fled Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496, Scotch, Irish, Swedish, and Dutch immigrants to America, Cherokee, and Asians. They have come to Judaism from a variety of other religious traditions, or none at all. They were attracted to our faith because of the sense of the community they experienced at Temple Emanu-El, because Judaism encourages questions and criticism, because of its intellectual integrity, because of the influence of Jewish friends, employers, and neighbors. They are as diverse and remarkable a group of people as you could ever hope to meet; and you can meet just about all of them, almost every Shabbat, in our congregation. For they are among the 21 new Jews we have created in our congregation since May. One of the truly amazing experiences we have had at Temple Emanu-El over the past few months—and there have been many, including our first congregational pilgrimage to Israel, and an Adult B’nai Mitzvah ceremony for 11 congregants—has been the privilege of bringing these 21 people to Judaism. From May to June we completed the education, examinations, and rituals for most of these new Jews, and after a summer hiatus we will welcome the final members of this current group to Judaism. The process of creating Jews is as unusual and powerful an experience as any I have ever had as a rabbi. The excitement of the discovery of Jewish learning, the joy our Jews-by-Choice feel in celebrating Shabbat and the holidays, the commitment to continue to learn and grow in their religious development, the openness and honesty about their motivations and their doubts--all combine to inspire and warm everyone who works with or counsels conversion students. And at the end of long process of education, when they sit before our beit din, our Jewish court that determines commitment and sincerity to become Jewish, when they immerse in the mikvah, when, finally, they stand on the bimah, hold the Torah, and say the Shema there is no holier moment. Conversion has never been a stated goal of our Outreach program at Temple Emanu-El, but it has emerged in the past two years as a mostly unexpected result of work we do. Our temple’s commitment to Taste of Judaism, our Simply Shabbat Outreach services, the Babies and Bagels program, our monthly Northwest Shabbat, and all of our Adult Education Academy courses—each contribute to bringing uninvolved Jews back to Judaism. Of course, when you are able to show how attractive Judaism is you will also attract those who are seeking religious meaning and integrity, too. We continue to have many additional students studying Judaism who may eventually choose to become Jewish. If you have questions about this process, call me at 327-4501, or speak to Mila Anderson, our Outreach Coordinator. The process of creating Jews-by-Choice, of teaching, counseling, and assisting those who wish to become Jewish, is truly extraordinary. We are very fortunate to be able to share their commitment, energy, and the richness and diversity they bring to our congregation. Abraham, the very first Jew-by-Choice, is told by God “through you and your descendants will all the families of the earth be blessed.” We are blessed by the presence of so many who are choosing Judaism today. L’shalom v’rei’ut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon
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