Conversion or Status Quo
Am I Already Jewish, or Can I Become Closer to God?
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 42 seconds
“Richard, I have a question,” the woman at the table said.
I nodded, waiting for her to continue.
Jan was Jewish, but you are not,” she explained.
I nodded again, acknowledging her statement.
What faith were your parents? Do you plan to convert?” she asked.
“My parents were Methodist. I have often thought about converting,” I shared. For almost forty years, I have been attending only Jewish services. Conversion is a more pressing issue as I want to be buried next to Jan, and not converting might prevent that.”
She and the others at the table listened as I explained my thoughts and concerns about converting.
“If you converted, what would be involved?” she asked.
I gave her a detailed answer based on what I had learned from Rabbi Renee.
The conversation continued, with everyone at the table sharing their thoughts and opinions.
Reflecting on the conversation later, I wondered if my faith was enough to bring me closer to God or if I needed to convert.
Quan Barry once wrote, “Sometimes faith is the only medicine available.”
My unwavering faith in God has comforted me in tough times. Since Jan’s passing, it has been vital to my well-being.
Yet, I still pondered if it was sufficient.
My heart was confident that with Jan’s love and my faith, I would eventually make the right choice.
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I have faced many challenges in my lifetime, but losing my beloved was the most difficult one. Thankfully, Rabbi Dr. Renee Edelman offered me guidance and support, which gave me hope and taught me how to live life to the fullest, even after my loss.
Throughout my life, faith has been my guiding force. It has empowered me to persevere through challenges and achieve personal growth. As a result, I have embraced life to the fullest, cherished meaningful relationships, and strived to impact the world around me positively.
