Personal Narrative: Christian Involvement In A Jewish Youth Group

I have always been interested in learning about religion in conjunction with experiencing it. Growing up I was raised in a Christian home and learned very little about any other religion including other monotheistic religion. Judaism is the religion that I knew the least about and decided that the best possible way for me to learn more was to experience it. I had only ever heard of Judaism in a comical or historical way. I chose to go to a Synagogue to further my knowledge and experience Judaism first hand.

Honestly, I didn’t think I would continue my Judaism much after my bar mitzvah. I went to a high school where I was the only one who was Jewish, and my Judaism was not embraced. I was introduced to the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization a Jewish organization that helps people find their Jewish identity and take part in leadership activities at the beginning of my junior year. By joining in my junior year there were already friendships created, and I was confused by the whole situation. The confusion would not last long because I was soon immersed in such an inclusive and accepting environment. Sure enough, due to my immediate ambition to make a difference in this organization, I was almost immediately elected to a chapter board position. From

Not realizing I've fallen into a deep paralyzing sleep until the next morning. Sliding out of the foot of the bed with the inability to stop. This vision stuck with me. Talking with a church member, Jeff Hanson, a lean guy jolly with dark circles under his eyes, and nonjudgmental Christian, a friend of my parents.

I learned so much about one religion in one night, and it amazes me how similar, yet so different it is from my own religion. I went from having very little knowledge of the Jewish culture, to learning all about their special Shabbat traditions. For example, I learned about the candle lighting, the Mourners Kaddish, and the Breaking of Bread. I also learned that the Jewish book is called the Torah and that it is very traditional and is only read from right to left. I also learned about rules in the Torah such as food restrictions. Without actually attending this event, I don’t think that I would have ever sat down and tried to learn more about the Jewish culture. But now that I have attended this event, I am so amazed at how much of the world that I am missing out on. It almost inspires me to attend more cultural events, so I can become even more culturally immersed. After looking back on this experience, I have a few questions as to why certain things happened the way they did. Why was it that when I first entered the synagogue that no one besides the priest was willing to talk to me? Based off my churches beliefs and traditions everyone is always very welcoming to the new guests, because we hope that they will have a good time and will be more willing to come again. Is this due to their culture? Was it disrespectful for me to not introduced myself and attempt to engage in more conversation’s? It was a great

Before attending the service, I was extremely nervous. I felt unsure of what to wear, what to expect, and even how to act. Once I met up with my Uncle, my nerves settled a little bit, but never fully disappeared. I wanted to come off as polite and that I was not intruding in a place that I did not belong. When we sat down in our seats, I tried to stay to myself and not bother anyone. I did not want anyone pointing out or realizing that we were new. I was terrified of someone finding out that I was not Jewish; though I am sure it was obvious. During the service, these feelings continued. I felt tense and kept my head down and in the prayer book for most of the service. I felt that if I tried to follow along and mind my own business that maybe

One time when our synagogue was exploring a market, there was this area that our rabbi told us not to go into without adult supervision. But me and my sister being who we are decided that it would be a good idea to visit the other section because it looked more interesting than the part we were currently in. It was really strange how suddenly the market changed from safe to dangerous, it felt as if there were a line on the ground and crossing it was like crossing into another world. It was like one world was covered in light and the other in darkness. The booths didn’t look as inviting, and the people working there looked at my sister and I in a less than pleasant manner. I was ready to turn around and run back to safety, but my sister wanted

We attended the memorial that was held in the humble chapel that our washwomen worshipped in every Sunday. As I looked around, unexpected faces filled the room. Everyone wore black, Jew and Gentile alike. This old women affected each of these people in a different way, whether she did their laundry or was just a friend. There was no animosity between Jew and Gentile because we all remembered the same woman. We all gathered there for the same reason, honoring and remembering a humble woman who lived a rich life.

I stood in the shower for a good forty minutes or so. It was warm, relaxing and dare I say even comforting, but best of all it wasn’t the Kingdom Hall. I thought that maybe if I stayed in the shower, My parents wouldn’t make me leave, felt as though I could live in there forever and never be forced to leave. However, as a child, I never felt this way. I was born into the religion, and was taught the teachings of the Watchtower (i.e. our bible) from an extremely young age, unaware of the brainwashing I would receive during the next 10 years of my life. It didn’t help that I was exceptionally gullible as a child, and believed just about anything. It definitely made it much easier for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, they would tell me about the 144,000

Growing up in a devout Christian family with a father who is an extreme right on the political scale was tough for me. I went to church 3 times a week and when I came home from my private Christian school I was to read the Bible for homework. I felt as if this life was being force upon me and I begged my mother for months if I could go to a public school. My wish was granted and in 8th grade I went to my local public middle school, and I was amazed, completely astounded at what school could be.

Yes, I absolutely believe that one can work in a public school and still lead a Christian classroom. Public schools, according to Achive.adl.org (2013), “may not teach religion, although teaching about religion in a secular context is permitted”. Nevertheless, even though religion cannot be taught per se, aspects from the Bible may be implemented into the classroom without actually “teaching” religion. The Bible provides an outline of ethics, principles, and values that can be included in a Christian teacher’s classroom throughout their actions and characteristics (Van Brummelen, 2009, p. 31).

Most religions at the time had gods who asked for sacrifices and large temples built in their honor and fought amongst each other like humans. Our God was not one of those gods, asking mainly for proper moral behavior. There may have been no further reason to behave humanely than to please your God, and avoid the punishments dealt by him such as tsaraat. Still, for the time this was a radical improvement. The Jews were one of, if not, the first people to have a God that looked for the goodness in people instead of the goodness of their sacrifices or gifts to the Lord or whatever gods and/or goddesses they worshipped. My Torah portion shows this legacy of Judaism.

I have been very fortunate to grow up in a faith based and Christian home for my entire life. From the day I was born my mother and my Christian education have instilled in me that Jesus loves me and that love is why he died for my sins. I was saved when I six or seven years old. As a child, I really liked superheroes. So when I first heard Acts 2:21 and heard a VBS teacher explain Jesus was like a superhero I knew I wanted to be rescued by Christ. I continued learning about my faith and reading my Bible.

My journey to the United States to become an engineer has changed because of the Church of Messiah. The obstacles that I have overcome so far such as always being different and working twice as hard because everyone always seems to be far ahead made me self-centered. But the road stop in my journey, which was Church of the messiah has changed my perception of life. Throughout my spiritual voyage at the Church of Messiah, I have discovered the person I now aspire to be in my future. There were a countless number of events that included a lot of volunteering from most members in Messiah which also inspired me to volunteer. I got the chance to lead one fundraiser at Messiah with my sister called Soctober. Soctober took place in October we worked

From the AD 47 century AD 1500, or what would also be known as the 5th century to the 15th century we can see some of the earliest history of the Jewish and Christian relationship in the Middle Ages. Throughout this time many things take place among the Jews, one of which includes a movement from the Mediterranean to the Eastern part of Europe. During this time, Christians did not agree with the way the Jewish people lived and were not going to be silent about it. The Christians blamed the Jews for many crimes that were being committed throughout the Middle ages. The Jewish people saw themselves differently than the Christians saw them. The Jewish people “saw themselves… as a special people, God’s own chosen race, set apart from the rest of mankind by their unique knowledge of the one true God and by customs and a morality that were divinely inspired.” There were many things that were held common between the Judaism and Christianity but the Christians refused to see the Jewish people as people just like themselves. Among many other reasons, the Christians became angry at the Jews because they would not convert to Christianity and began to persecute them for crimes that they were not committing. The Christians were wrong for the persecution of the Jews but they believed that they had right and reason to their persecution.

As I have learned about my Christian faith, I have always wondered why Christianity does not fall more in line with the Judaism, their traditions, and their celebration of their festivals. The Bible calls the Israelites God’s chosen people, and throughout the Old Testament He shows His love for them by the way He led them by a pillar of smoke by day and by a pillar of fire at night. Comparing the old covenant to the new covenant, the Bible says “not like the covenant that I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by their hands to lead them out of the land of Egypt. I disregarded them, says the Lord, because they did not continue in My covenant” (Hebrews 8:9, Holman Christian Standard Bible), then states in Hebrews 8:10 “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people”. These verses answered some of the questions on why Christianity didn’t follow the same traditions as in Judaism religion. While comparing the Old Testament to the New testament it becomes clear why Christians are different.