MY GRANDSON CONVERTS…..9/9/15        AGH

   I was born a Jew, I have members of my family who were not. Religious choice is a given for the adult members of the family. Jews and non-Jews are part of my family, welcomed, embraced and included.  Frequently we celebrate New Year’s Day and Rosh Hashanah, Christmas and Chanukah, Easter and Passover. 

   Despite that truth, my reaction to Matt’s announcement that he was baptized last Sunday was one of sadness and loss.  I am sad and disappointed because I feel that somewhere, somehow I have failed, I failed Matthew and also have failed Judaism.  Apparently, he needs more or something different from what Judaism and I have to offer.

   For me Judaism is a comfort, a way of life, it is the source of love.  I was not able, over the years to translate that concept for Matt though it is the essence of my belief.    He now believes that Christianity answers his needs. I can only continue to love him and encourage his search. I have tried to act out my Judaism for my grandson.  My Judaism tells me to be honest and honorable and humble; tells me to care for others, to worry about others; my Judaism has taught me to love; my Judaism has told me the story of who I am and who I can be.  I must strive to be better, to surpass myself…to do better, to care more, to reach out to help.  My Judaism has taught me about equality that no one person can be better than another as long as that one person keeps striving to do his/her best, to grow, to learn, to love.  In Judaism we strive for perfection, understanding full well that humanity is imperfect, as Robert Browning said,  “man’s (or woman’s) reach should exceed his (her) grasp or what’s a Heaven for?”  All this, over the years, I have shared with Matt. He obviously feels he has found it and more in Christianity.

   My disappointment reflects my concern that Matt has stepped out of the fold.  He promises that he has not abandoned me.  I take heart in the thought.  Our God may be the same God, but our succor is different, our references are different.  I must remember that nothing can destroy our love or our family even though our beliefs may have different names and diverse paths.  Our Holydays and celebrations will be different. I hope and pray that the roots of our love and loyalty will not change, but will have the energy to remain strong as always, Judaism and Christianity teach honor and respect.  I respect my grandson’s choice, I will not join him but I will always accompany him.  May we never stop loving or searching for better as we move side by side to a different drummer.   We must never forget that God is the source of love and faith, no matter what we call Him.

   I spoke with Matt two days before his conversion. It was clear that he was 

excited, that he felt that he finally knows who he is and why he is here.  I pray 

that he and I will always be able to talk to each other honestly, I thank God 

for my grandson and bless him with my love.