Blog

TI member for 29 years, Board Trustee, wife and mom

I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic K-12 schools in Kansas City, MO. However, my grandpa (on my dad’s side) was Jewish, and my grandma was Catholic — quite a radical marriage in 1929! Their four children were exposed to both faiths and were told that as adults they could choose a religion. My dad married at a young age and chose Catholicism because my mom was a practicing Catholic. My parent’s mantra was, “It doesn’t matter what religion you are, it’s how you conduct your life and treat others that counts.” We absolutely adored my Jewish Grandpa and his siblings; and my parents instilled in us a deep respect for Judaism. So, when I met my husband David, his Judaism was never a barrier.

From the beginning TI welcomed me. Rabbi Rubin co-officiated our wedding, we enrolled in Intro to Judaism, and took a ‘Judaism for Expectant Parents’ course taught by Rabbi Shook. It was in that class that I met other soon-to-be moms, who reached out to me and invited me to join in their newly formed ‘playgroup.’ When our baby was almost one, I took Miss Jane’s ‘Mommy and Me’ class, then enrolled him in DECC and met many more lifelong friends. I remember being nervous that I didn’t know how to say the blessings when I was ‘Shabbat Mom’, but the teachers always lead the blessing with me to ease any discomfort.

Over the years, I was drawn to learn more about Judaism and took advantage of the many classes that TI offered. Initially, we planned to raise our kids as my grandparents had: exposing them to both faiths and letting them choose a religion as adults. However, after learning more about Reform Judaism I told my husband that I changed my mind and wanted to raise the kids Jewish. We enrolled them in religious school; all three have celebrated their bar mitzvahs and confirmations. Four years ago (after 23 years of marriage and many education classes at TI), I converted to Judaism.

I’ve found my home in Judaism and Temple Israel. My parents’ mantra still resonates with me: ‘It doesn’t matter what religion you are, it’s how you conduct your life.’ But I’ve learned that Judaism helps me to move the needle closer to how I want to conduct my life. Practicing Judaism increases my awareness, guides my decision-making, and moves me to action. Of course, I still fall short of where I want to be, but worshipping and learning at TI helps get me a little bit closer to the mark.