My “The I Am Jewish Movement” Meme
Uncategorized August 17th, 2006Okay so here’s mine, and approximately 6 hours before my self-imposed deadline. It’s something of a rush job and although I think it’s honest and very first thought best thought, which means I didn’t do a lot of filtering, editing, or censoring it does come off a little bit on the touchy-feely side. Maybe I should add that I kick small animals, and don’t like to recycle, LOL.
Whatever I don’t really find it all that bad, so it’s what I’m posting. I think that unless I get any huge criticism, complaints or threats somehow related to its content, I will be submitting it to the Jewish lights people tomorrow.
Of course as always, feedback and constructive/gentle criticism is always welcome.
If you are confused and do not know what is going on then you my want to start here
And so without further ado my masterpiece!
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What does Judaism mean to me?
Although I am a convert to Judaism, I am not a Jew by choice. I say this because I cannot imagine being anything other than Jewish. My Neshamah seems to always be telling me that I didn’t actually convert to Judaism; rather I simply realized that I was Jewish and always had been. Formally going through the conversion process was both a personal and public acknowledgment of what I have always been and more importantly, it was the beginning of an honest and authentic expression of who I am spiritually, emotionally, and socially.
My Judaism is firmly rooted in a fundamental acceptance of God’s unconditional love for me and in return, my growing commitment to learning to love not only the Creator but also all of creation. Being a Jew is embracing that I’ve been created perfectly to fill a unique and special role in the world. It means understanding that everything in my life is a gift from Hashem, including my perceived strengths and weaknesses. To be a Jew means understanding and accepting that every aspect of my life is purposeful, and is something to be explored, understood, and cherished.
Although my journey into Jewish life is in part about healing, it is much more about building and creating. My Judaism is a life affirming one that embraces the world in which I live. It is a Judaism of possibility and potential rooted in caring and compassion, personal responsibility and social action. Although in some ways my Judaism is extremely selfish and personal, it is also equally about developing a no strings attached, unconditional love, and sense of responsibility for the world and all of creation.
Yes my Judaism is an ongoing and lifelong commitment to evolving as a spiritual being and striving for ever grater connections to God but it is also about family and peoplehood. Being a Jew is about living as part of a tribe. It is feeling the very special connection I share with all other Jews past present and future. My Judaism also transcends my bond with God, Torah, or even other Jews and extends out to include an incredible spiritual connection tying my very soul and body with Israel herself, because she is the fertile ground out of which my people were born and is where the great repair began.
Being a Jew is to embrace my ongoing struggle to discover what it actually means to be a Jew. It is engaging my life with both compassion and effort to overcome the inner and outer obstacles I encounter along my journey, so that I may live up to the responsibilities that are part of fulfilling the Jewish promise.
To be Jewish is to live life fully, with an open heart and gratitude.
To be a Jew is striving to make every action, one that reflects God’s desire because in doing this, I best fulfill my own desires.
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August 17th, 2006 at 6:26 pm
Wow TG, that is really really lovely. Beautiful even! I think your essay will be the best, hands down. You have a natural gift for expressing yourself in words, embrace it, it too is a part of your Jewishness. We’ve been communicating in written word forever