For those of you who have read my other articles in Jewish Families, you should understand how much writing this one means. For those of you who have not, please see “Living with Stereotypes: I’m Not Truly Jewish?” and “Living with Stereotypes: All Jews Have Money.” This blog will mean a lot more to you after you read those.
When I was in high school, my family became members of a synagogue — Beth Chaverim. Since many people are not familiar with the Hebrew language, even those who are Jewish, Beth Chaverim means “house of friends.” I went into the synagogue that Rosh Hashana expecting the same old thing as the previous synagogue I had attended: no one likes you unless you have money and no one accepts you unless you have been through a Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony. I was also expecting more Hebrew than I could ever care to deal with, along with feeling out of place since we were new members. Boy, was I in for a surprise!
First of all, Rabbi Israel Zoberman was about as loving a person as anyone could ever meet. I knew him a little because I was going to school with his daughter Rachel, but seeing him as a rabbi instead of just my friend’s dad was different. He welcomed everyone into the synagogue with a hug, kiss, and a cheery voice. I instantly relaxed. I said hi to Rachel and then sat with my family. Once the service began, I could hardly keep my seat.
The first thing that shocked me was the fact that there was a choir — A CHOIR! I had never seen a choir in a synagogue in my entire life. I loved that! We went through the beginning prayers: the rabbi would read them in Hebrew, then we would read the English as a whole congregation. It went somewhat like that through a good portion of the service, but I was really shocked when someone started playing the piano! If you know anything about Judaism, you know that generally playing instruments is not allowed on the Sabbath or the High Holy Days, along with some other restrictions such as the exchange of money. This was so new to me that I wasn’t sure how to react. It was the most enjoyable religious service that I had ever attended. Besides that, there was a man who walked in halfway through the service wearing jeans and a Harley Davidson t-shirt. Can you get anymore relaxed than that? I think not.
So, here I am ten years later. I have a family of my own. I was married in that synagogue four years ago by Rabbi Zoberman, and my daughter was officially given her Hebrew name, Sara Yona, in the same synagogue almost two years ago. Just within the past few weeks, my husband, my daughter, and I have finally become members as a family. We were welcomed in the October newsletter as new members so the whole congregation knows. I attended Rosh Hashana services this year as a member and brought my daughter for the first time. The current cantor plays the guitar when we sing certain prayers and the choir claps along. I couldn’t ask for anything better in a congregation. I personally thank Rabbi Zoberman for being such a loving and accepting person — a true man of G-d. It feels good to be home.
Congregation Beth Chaverim is truly a house of friends.
