DAY TWO

[nechamaz]

Last night my husband went to a shiur (a class) with the Rabbi (Rabbi G) who is, in effect, sponsoring me for an Orthodox conversion. I usually go, too, but I misunderstood that the husband was headed to mincha before hand. Rabbi G had a talk with him, outlining the things which are expected of him as a Jew, and trying to clarify some issues he

Comments

[latkejew]

All of this does sound terribly frustrating. I would like to share a word with you that might help. I know for myself, I always ask the question, What is my kavanah? Kavanah means intention. I too would love to live an Orthodox Jewish life, but being a gay man somehow does not fit into Orthodoxy's image of a whole Jewish life. I long for spiritual Jewish food and am thinking of embarking on the Jewish Studies program at UWashington. I have to take nourishment from wherever I can find spiritual nourishment and also where my being gay is not a scratch on the record. In the midst of all of this, for me, I always remember the Hebrew word, kavanah. What is my intention? My intention is to live a Jewish life taking nourishment from all the movements within Judaism and to fill my life with meaning from a Jewish perspective. I don't know if my blabbering makes any difference, but for what it may or may not be, here it is

Iowa, and other things

[nechamaz]

HI-
Your reply is helpful. Very. Well said. It feels like it's been a long time since I've felt nourished, though I started out feeling that way. Kavanah. What indeed, is mine?
My mother is from the Fort Dodge area, specifically Gowrie and Callender. I spent many summers there, and I miss it. I never thought I'd say that, but it's true. I went to college in Decorah - at Luther College. The topography is different- rolling hills and river bluffs instead of flat expanses of corn and beans. I miss that, too, and was just back there in April. I've been to Wartburg several times, for a couple of music competitions, and to do a play. My great Aunt and her family live in Cedar Rapids, but I haven't been there since I was very small. I've been really missing the Midwest. I think Los Angeles is overwhelming me right now. It's a pretty intense place. You're in the Northwest, right? Do you like it up there? I've been up to Seattle, Bellingham, parts of Oregon, even Vancouver. It's really lovely!
Thanks for your message.

Re: Iowa, and other things

[latkejew]

I do live in the Northwest now. I have been here exactly 33 days. I do love it here and do not miss the humidity and heat that is Houston, Texas.
I have been to Los Angeles several times and I must admit, I never want to live there. I drove once from San Diego to San Fran and could not tell where San Diego ended and Los Angeles began. I am glad to be living in a smaller city. Although, every city has its beautiful parts and plusses.
What instrument do you play? How far to you have to go before you are degreed in music? I had a friend who graduated last winter with a degree in music from Rice University and is now at a school in Upstate New York. I will never forget the first time I heard her play at her recital. Beautiful! She plays the cello.
B'shalom.

Re: Iowa, and other things

[nechamaz]

Wow! 33 days. You're a newcomer. Yes, Southern CA is a bit of a sub-urban blur. I do live in a nice little enclave, but still...it's filthy here. Seriously.
I play a tiny bit of piano, but I'm a trained vocalist. A soprano. I miss it, singing, and I'm doing Katisha in The Mikado this Fall with a group of religious women. Should be interesting. I miss recitalizing. It's fun if you can do your own programming. And the cello....have you ever listened to any of Jaqueline du Pre's recordings? She died in the late 80's from MS, I believe. She was a convert, actually, and was married to Daniel Barenboim.
Thanks again for your great words. Very healing.
kol tuv

Fundamentalist Judaism

[anonymous]

Ma'am

Re: Fundamentalist Judaism

[nechamaz]

Hello William