Today's Topic: Judaism.

For those of you who know me, you know I've been practicing Judaism for about three years, inasmuch as Michelle's family practices. Back in November, I started taking the "Introduction to Judaism" class over at Temple Beth-El, a quaint little synogogue in East Boca known for its mausoleum. The Rabbi, an Australian woman, has compiled a curriculum encompassing Jewish law, history, tradition, and spirituality. I force Michelle to attend every week, which she does. We call it "Jew School.".

What most of you don't know is that I was once a staunch Catholic. Yep. I went to Catholic School. I was president of my Youth Group. I not only attended church retreats, I helped to plan and administer them. I read the second reading at Sunday Mass. My involvement was untethered...I spent days discovering my spirituality, blah blah blah. I even considered entering the seminary out of high school. Nevermind that Father (insert Irish name here) had a keen interest in "meeting me for a racquetball match". Forgive the fact that I never agreed with the Church's stance on abortion, birth control, premarital sex, homosexuality, war, etc. Don't pay attention to the fact that my parents, while being good people, were not the every-Sunday-to-Mass type.

Judaism came into my life when Michelle and I started dating. I had dated Jewish girls before her, but never considered or learned about the faith. I gave it a try. You know what got me? The FOOD! Bagels, lox, whitefish salad, paprikash, gefilte fish, sardines. Even the middle-eastern foods like schwarma and falafel. And lots of it. I refer to the Martins as hobbits, because they like to eat and drink and not do much of anything. :-) I soon absorbed this mentality, and started celebrating life, family, faith, and my newfound belly.

Not to say that I didn't dig the religion. The Reform Judaism (think "Jew Lite") stance on the so-called "life issues" reads something like "sure, whatever". Eat, drink, and be merry. Holidays are celebrated with families. Prayers are said out loud, together. There is no quiet time with God. Faith is on your tongue, not in your heart. It is not enough for a Jewish person to just feel something, they have to talk about it, share it with someone. Its very altruistic and social.

So, next week, after toiling through 18 weeks of Jew School, I will be done. I then have to go in front of the Grand Poobah Council of Rabbis (I feel like a Jedi...ah yes, young paduwan), and tell them how Jewish I am. Then they throw me in the ocean three times, we say some prayers, and then its back to eating, drinking, and being merry.

P.S. They asked me if I was circumcised when I first embarked on this journey. Yikes!!! (but graciously, I'd like to send a BIG thank you to my Mom and Dad for taking care of that at birth!)
posted by Rich at 3:24 PM Comments

 
You all know what I'm gonna say. Wow, its been SOOO long since I've blogged. And it has. Over the past six months or so, a lot has happened. Michelle has left Ernst and Young. Ovo Studios has become "mega-Ovo Studios". The dog has been very sick, but is now coming along smashingly. We've been jet-set on weekends, hitting such garden spots as Cleveland, Boston, and New York. To even it out, we're crashing Vegas in two weeks. Wedding planning is nearly done, with only floral, room layout, and Michelle's hair left on the to-do list.

We decided on a honeymoon locale. We're going to Hawaii, staying on Kona for five days at the Four Seasons, and then staying in Maui for six days, at, well, the Four Seasons. Wow, some of you may not know about the wedding. Its in Vegas, October 30th, at, well, the Four Seasons. We have definitely found our favorite hotel chain.

We found a house we really love down here, in a new neighborhood in Boynton Beach. Home prices are skyrocketing lately, so the price keeps going up and up, while our savings account balance keeps going down and down! We'll have to see how that turns out.

Music recommendations for March:
1.) "Volcano" by Damien Rice
2.) "Blue Glass Fall" by David Poe
3.) "Distortions" by Clinic
4.) "Teenage Angst" by Placebo
5.) "Gene Autry" by Beulah
6.) "Let it Fall" by Sean Watkins and Glen Phillips
7.) "Baby Now That I've Found You" by Allison Krauss
8.) "Soulshine (live with Tim Reynolds" by Government Mule
9.) "So Much Wine" by Handsome Family
10.) "City On Down" by O.A.R.

I swear I'll post again tomorrow...maybe with something funny.
posted by Rich at 9:38 AM Comments