Alienation, Anti-Semitism and Assimilation

Identity: Culture and Conflict

I had no idea that returning to my tribe would be so complex.

Now a bit more than four years later I sometimes want to run and hide from how involved the experience is becoming.

Other times I feel as if the whole of it; my journey from anti-Semite to assimilated -- (or is that “assimilating?”

Probably the latter as in "evolving" rather than evolved) -- is so totally beshrt I couldn’t have missed it if I tried.

As Sue often says, scanning her mystical mind, for wisdom and possibly a story,

“What hits you couldn’t have missed you" (original author unknown).

There I was overwhelmed by the enormous task of finding a way to navigate the mainstream, seeing world after an eight year sabbatical due to having lost my eyesight.

Sighted, once again,. I knew I was called to do some serious housecleaning of both my external, physical space as well as every nook and cranny of my mind-spirit, making amends to my Jewish heritage appeared on my to-do list.

Okay, I said to myself, time to reach out to the local synagogue and acknowledge that I, too, am one of “them.”

Having thus pushed myself to tremulously pick up and search the local phone book for “synagogues” (people who can not see do not read phone books), I located what appeared to be the main, perhaps only, synagogue in my nearest town (remember I live in the mountains).  

I dialed the number, filled with fear and trepidation.

“Hello” a friendly voice said on the other end.

Uh oh, my next words did not come easily.

Even got stuck in my throat for an instant.

However, having gotten this far an immediate plan arose in my mind.

Quick thinking and an innate ability to be articulate saved me from stumbling. I would tell the voice that I was a new Jew in town and I would like to meet with the rabbi.

My plan hadn’t really quite evolved that far. Only picking up the phone and calling were my immediate agendas. But what came out served to carry me forth.

Then my conscience did prick me a bit.

Was I really new in town? (Stories for another time.)

And, was I really Jewish or not?

I had publicly pronounced that I had "quit being Jewish" many times (probably only to non-Jews and to my poor Mom).

So was I telling the truth here or not?

After more than thirty years of pulling farther and farther away from my tribe, what was the deal for me on this point.

(The main impetus for me to quit being Jewish, I have only recently remembered; a situation brought about, first and foremost, by the sexually inappropriate conduct of a rabbi I had sought out during a time of grave family distress.)

 Funny how little things can slip your mind.

(Actually it was not at all a small thing. Nor is it – or was it -- funny.)

Clumsily, bumbling forth – “Of course,” said I, “a meeting with the rabbi would be just the thing.”

Alienation, anti-Semitism, assimilation; the "return of a former anti-Semitic Jewess, recovering Jewish American Princess" -- Free now of joining any clubs.

Or so I thought, An adventure in progress -- to be continued.