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jmw87 · 2 years

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Posted @withregram • @jewishunpacked The origin story for why the Jewish people “observe the 14th day of the month of Adar and make it a day of joy and feasting, and an occasion for sending gifts to one another.” (Esther 9:19) . . . . . #jewishunpacked #unpacked #purim #jewishholidays #justjewishthings #judaism #purimsameach #jewishlife #adar #mishenichnasadar #jewishhalloween #jewishexperience #jewishvalues #jewishbeliefs #bookofesther #jewishtradition #hamantaschen #mishloachmanot #matanotlevyonim #purimcostume #purimcookies #queenesther #purimstory #mordechaiandesther #shushanpurim #holidayguide #purimguide #ahasuerus #ahasuerusandvashti #ahasuerusesther https://www.instagram.com/p/CbKvWNUu38z/?utm_medium=tumblr

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rtwdetroit-blog · 7 years

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My Jewish Experience

by Ellie Farber

Last night, Repair the World was fortunate enough to host and co-partner an event called “Inside Jewish Europe: Stories from Berlin to Bulgaria.” Following suit with a thread we have been weaving the past two months, the event focused on the theme of story-telling. Attendees had the opportunity to hear the stories of the Jewish experience from the point-of-view of two women living on European soil. As a Jewish studies major, I knew I would be engaged and interested due to my previous in-depth studies of European Jewry. However, I was not expecting to draw so many connections to my own Jewish identity, considering the stark contrast of the upbringing of our storytellers with my own.

Anja Olejnik was born in Bosnia, and was a young girl when the fall of Communism and division of Yugoslavia occurred. Being born in Communist Bosnia, she or her family did not hold any religious identity. Anja discovered she was Jewish when she was 11 years old.

Maia Ferdman was born in Los Angeles, California, immersed in her Judaism. In 2015, began a fellowship year where she would be living in three places around the world, one of which was Sofia, Bulgaria, where she was to develop and strengthen the international Jewish community via multiple mediums. What she established from her work in these communities was that “European Jews have to work for their Judaism.”

Ellie Farber was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. (Hey, Ellie Farber???…that’s me!!!!) Okay, okay, I wasn’t a story-teller at the event. But! When I was listening to the experiences of these two women, I felt my the story of my Jewish identity was connected to both for various reasons. What I did not necessarily discover throughout the event, but confirmed, was that I have greatly worked for my Judaism.

I grew up in one of the most historically known anti-Semitic towns in Michigan. We had eight Christmas trees, a Mezuzah and a Seder plate. I always knew we were a little bit different; we did not belong to a church, my dad’s parents came over for Christmas occasionally - but never made the trek for Easter. I had heard the word Jewish, but I always thought it was kind of a choice, (like joining a group!), that because my dad is from New Jersey, he sometimes did Jewish things. I did not associate Judaism with an identity, let alone a religion! It was just something that was there, a word thrown around, and it was kind of a secret.

In the first grade, my family went to Baltimore where I met my dad’s sister and her children. My cousin, Lia, was having her Bat Mitzvah. It was here I discovered being Jewish wasn’t just something in which my dad sometimes participated as a result of geography, but was a religion and culture…and he was part of all of it! While he isn’t religious (and never really has been), he is 100% Jewish by blood. I was fascinated. All of these people knew prayers and dances and were bonded like super glue because a 13-year-old was having a fabulous party. This was something I never experienced in my life. All I knew was that I wanted in.

I returned to Michigan feeling overwhelmingly excited that I was Jewish! Not only was I enthusiastic to be Jewish though, I was thrilled that I was finally something. Christianity was intimidating and I had aways felt excluded. With the Jewish community it was more than being just welcomed in, but welcomed back. Almost as if they were saying..."Oy vey Ellie Farber, where have you been all this time?!"

Fast forward 17 years. I work for a Jewish non-profit. I majored in Judaic studies at the University of Michigan. I date a Jewish boy, (who lives in Moishe House, nonetheless)! I have been to Israel four times, two of which were for entire summers. I read, write and speak Hebrew. I teach Hebrew at Temple Shir Shalom. I don’t even attend Shir Shalom though, I am a member at Temple Israel! My life, my identity, is centered around this intangible thing, this thing which wasn’t handed to me, it wasn’t forced upon me. I chose Judaism. I always had it in me, but I worked for my Judaism. I reached out to a community and the community welcomed me with open arms and of course, many opinions.

What is to come? Meh, who knows! What is known, however, is that being Jewish isn’t going anywhere for me. Because I chose this path, I feel I sometimes connect more strongly than those born into it. And also because of this, I am so conscious to never take for granted Judiasm. This culture and community comprises so much of life and identity as a person today, I could not imagine my life without a Jewish presence.

Sources:

http://higley1000.com/archives/50

#jewishexperience #judaism #millenials #Jewishmillenial

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