It's all happening quite fast
On Wednesday evening we had a bok group meeting with the rabbi, for which we read various books by Primo Levi. Harrowing stuff, but someone mentioned they felt "not quite right" the whole time they were reading If this is a man. Not just when actually reading, but for the entire period during which she read the book. That was a relief to me, as I'd felt out of sorts, and indeed not been able to read that book for more than half an hour in one sitting. This is quite odd for me, I can usually polish off a book in a weekend. The order I read the books in (If this is a man, The truce, Moments of reprieve) was good, as I started off with the most harrowing and progressed to the least disturbing. Not that any of them was a walk in the park, describing as they did life in a concentration camp during the Second World War,and the subsequent journey home to Italy.
Anyway, the book group was as ever a stimulating exchange of ideas and concepts, some of which I hadn't considered.
At the end of the class, the rabbi asked me and two other potential converts to remain behind. He said he thought we would be ready to convert in July, and wanted us to start attending classes on the weekly portions (of the bible which are read in bite-sized chunks every Shabbat in a specific order so that the entire bible is read during one Jewish year).
When we left the rabbi's house I was nervous. I'm still nervous. It's getting closer, and as I try to read and learn more, I find I know less and less. A couple of girls attended who had converted earlier in the month, and one compared it to re-sitting her finals. At least for this you don't have to do rote-learning, but you are questioned on very personal issues, and by three rabbis. So you're going to feel daunted anyway. I know two of the rabbis who sit on the beth din, but there's no guarantee they'll be the ones to examine me. There's also the issue of the ritual bath, or mikva, which most converts must undergo (I say most - I've read somewhere that reform Jews recently made this an option rather than a core part), and whilst I've been assured it's not too embarrasing, I have to remove my contact lenses and strip, and then get into a pool and recite three specific blessings.
Onward and upward, though. I've got my 30th birthday party on Saturday (after sundown, of course!) and after that I'll take stock and calm down.
Anyway, the book group was as ever a stimulating exchange of ideas and concepts, some of which I hadn't considered.
At the end of the class, the rabbi asked me and two other potential converts to remain behind. He said he thought we would be ready to convert in July, and wanted us to start attending classes on the weekly portions (of the bible which are read in bite-sized chunks every Shabbat in a specific order so that the entire bible is read during one Jewish year).
When we left the rabbi's house I was nervous. I'm still nervous. It's getting closer, and as I try to read and learn more, I find I know less and less. A couple of girls attended who had converted earlier in the month, and one compared it to re-sitting her finals. At least for this you don't have to do rote-learning, but you are questioned on very personal issues, and by three rabbis. So you're going to feel daunted anyway. I know two of the rabbis who sit on the beth din, but there's no guarantee they'll be the ones to examine me. There's also the issue of the ritual bath, or mikva, which most converts must undergo (I say most - I've read somewhere that reform Jews recently made this an option rather than a core part), and whilst I've been assured it's not too embarrasing, I have to remove my contact lenses and strip, and then get into a pool and recite three specific blessings.
Onward and upward, though. I've got my 30th birthday party on Saturday (after sundown, of course!) and after that I'll take stock and calm down.
posted by Chaya at 2:57 pm
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