One celebrant recalled being the only Jew in his school, where 'antisemitic remarks were common. My response was to hide away from my identity'. Now he is proud to be Jewish
August 5, 2021 16:41
In many ways, the bnei mitzvah ceremony at Edgware and Hendon Reform Synagogue was a traditional affair — last minute nerves, proud family and friends in attendance and hearty shouts of “Sh’koyach”.
However, the ten celebrants were adults, graduates of a course run by Babel’s Blessing for those who did not have a bat- or barmitzvah at 13.
Among them was Isaac, who had grown up in a secular family and was the only Jewish boy in his school, where “antisemitic remarks were common. My response was to hide away from my identity,” he recalled in his sermon.
“I stopped being called Isaac because it sounded Jewish. I embraced whatever nickname my friends found for me. I even started to join in with the antisemitic jokes. I knew this was wrong but it was easier than arguing.”
He was among Jews at university but did not feel like any of them. They knew each other, celebrated the festivals and spoke words in Hebrew he did not understand. “I went from not wanting to be Jewish to not being Jewish enough.”
The Babel’s Blessing programme had linked things important to him with Judaism — “Jewish revolutionary history, Jewish feminism, the environment. It made me feel so proud to be Jewish.”
Among those batmitzvah was Barbara, now UK-based, whose family migrated as refugees to Canada from Poland. She only discovered she was Jewish in her early teens.
In her 20s, she began to learn more about the religion, bake challah and host Shabbat meals. Yet her mother retained the fear of antisemitism that had prevented her from telling Barbara about the family’s Jewishness for so long.
When Barbara told her she wanted to be outwardly Jewish, the response was: “Don’t tell anyone; you don’t know when the Nazis will come back.”
The Babel’s Blessing course was taught by trainee rabbi Lev Taylor, a final year student at Leo Baeck College. He was “so proud of these Jewish people who have chosen to connect with their traditions, explore their spirituality and undertake this life-changing course. They shared their stories with such openness and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
Senior Edgware and Hendon Reform minister Rabbi Mark Goldsmith said the shul had been delighted to host the ceremony.
“It was very special to join the spirit of celebration among those who read Torah for the first time in a community. Our members are very proud that this was happening here and we hope it is the beginning of a great Jewish journey for all who participated.”
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