Friday, April 15, 2005

Went to Temple tonight and I liked it very much. Lots of standing and sitting, similar to Catholic services in that regard. But where Catholics spout Latin, the Jewish people speak Hebrew. Sounded nice anyway, and I liked the songs too. I was somewhat overdressed, wearing wool gabardine slacks and a silk blouse (both too large) and my hair securely french-braided, but it wouldn't have been appropriate for me to show up in jeans. I'd read about women sitting separately from the men, not being able to show their elbows or knees, and that married women needed to cover their hair, so I was somewhat apprehensive. But shoot, it was so laid back, it was nothing like that. Everyone sat mixed up and people dressed fairly casually. Some of the teens wore minis and flip-flops. And everyone was so friendly, particularly an older, retired rabbi. He seemed interested in why I was there and asked me lots of questions about myself, including what religion I fall into. When I said, "None, and I'm not interested in Christianity overmuch," he replied that I should find a religion of some kind. I can see why, that group formed a very cohesive community. It would be nice to go somewhere regularly where everybody knows you. Oh, this was a very small Temple; I had assumed that it would be enormous and that I wouldn't even be noticed. Afterward I was invited to stay for a spell and have some food. Cool! Cheese, crackers, wine and fresh fruit.

I wonder if I should take up the Jewish faith. Seldom have I been anywhere that was so welcoming. Doctors, lawyers, professors, but you wouldn't be able to tell; everyone was very down-to-earth. And it was cool to me that they didn't collect tithes. But I dunno, I dislike regimentation of any kind, and reciting ritual prayers seems kind of meaningless to me. Would it mean I'd have to learn Hebrew and have a Bat Mitzvah and stuff? --Gahhhh *more* schooling?

Besides, I shore do luvs my bacon cheeseburgers. Also, I celebrate not being held to some [more] arbitrary conventions. Like, on that one day when all the Catholics on campus went around with those black smudges on their foreheads. I kept wanting to say, "hey, you've got something on your face!" And you know, I don't have to give up anything for lent and I can eat leavened bread on Passover.

Part of me craves to belong somewhere; I guess I'm a bit of a lost sheep (or a lone wolf?). But community is a double-edges sword: you get the feeling of belonging and support, but then, you have responsibilities to the group.

One thing I noticed was something in the prayer book about how God has chosen the Jews above all others. I guess all religions think that about themselves.

Referring to the racism issue, why are people anti-Semitic? They were white as white can be, educated and contributing to the community. What da dillio?

However, I feel that the Israelis are obstinately violating another country's boundaries by just arriving and taking up residence because their doctrine tells them so. In Marge Piercy's book, He, She and It, that part of the world is blown off the map as a result. But I'm probably stepping on landmines here so I'll quit.

posted by Newpeep, N.D. (neurotic depressive) @ 10:33 PM

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