Converts at the U. of M.—Their Jewish Loyalties

has always felt a sense of he tells us r e a 11 y make I've ever met, excluding my
By HANNAH MORRISON assigns his students "directed and pork, became friendly kinship with Jews. She says sense," she says.
wife," says Brian.
reading," recommended ac- with several of the members
* *
Jewish News U. of M.
Brian, w h o s e maternal
cording to the needs of the and learned to read Hebrew this feeling was reinforced
Correspondent
when
she
accompanied
her
The
converts
described ob-
grandfather
was
Jewish,
was
in
adult
education
classes.
individual.
ANN ARBOR — Recently,
Rabbi Goldman is also Only following this, did the ex-husband to West Germany raised as a Protestant by his viously do not exist in a
much attention has been fo- more cautious than his col- rabbi decide to accept her for for three years, following aunt and uncle. However, he vacuum. They have family
cused upon the Campus Cru- league in accepting converts. conversion. "The irony of all completion of his studies at left their home at age 18 and and friends, who could not
sade for Christ, Key '73 and He says, "While I don't this," says Judy, "was that the University of Chicago traveled, during which time fail to be affected in some
other groups which aim — overtly seek to discourage during this entire period, I where they met. "I felt," he did not formally practice way by their conversion. Re-
with varying degrees of suc- people from conversion, I must have been one of the Arlene states, "a s t r on g anyreligion."I was ap- actions to conversion run the
cess—to convert Jewish youth stress the importance of the few young people regularly antipathy •to Germans, due proached by many people — entire gamut of the emotional
to my reaction to the Holo- Baptists, Hari Krishna, Jesus spectrum, from rejection to
to Christianity.
investment in terms of time attending services."
However, little publicity is and effort necessary to make
Since her conversion, (per- caust. On the other hand, my freaks — who were all trying neutrality to acceptance.
devoted to that small, but Judaism meaningful, to in- formed as prescribed at the contacts with Jews during to push me into their thing.
Judy says, "I've gotten no
persistent, group of people sure this is the right course ritual bath), Judy has been an this period were most posi- I ended up more confused flak from my family. If any-
who choose to accept Juda- of action both for them and active member of the Jewish tive." Arlene sees this as the than before, wondering how thing, my father r ega r ds
ism as their religion.
the Jewish people."
community in Ann Arbor. point at which marital rela- far people will go in their Judaism as a status symbol,
From the Ann Arbor and
* *
because most of the Jews he
For example, she prepares tions with her German hus- beliefs.
University of Michigan com-
"I began to think about the has met are wealthy."
Rabbi Warshal, on the the meals for the kosher co- band began to deteriorate.
munities, the four local rab- other hand, expiesses the operative kitchen that oper-
Arlene began to consider man called Jesus and the
However, she adds that her
bis receive a number of in- opinion that "Jews should be ates within the Hillel building. conversion since the divorce religion centered around him. fiance's family were not
quiries regarding conversion. more aggressive in their ap-
was
finalized
last
year.
She
I
realized
that
Jesus
was
a
Judy is engaged to a fellow
accepting. "His mother
The questionners come proach toward converts."
con v e r t who is presently had attended Temple Beth Jew and only a human being. barely make a concession Lo
from disparate ethnic and
"Judaism," he continues, studying at a yeshiva in Far Emeth prior to entering the I should worship not him, but the skullcap and beard, let
religious backgrounds and "has always been a prosely- Rockaway, N.Y. He had conversion class. "I feel very what he worshiped. I felt. alone 'anything else."
from families with varying tizing religion. We were in a undergone Orthodox conver- comfortable and happy with as if I had reached a logical
Judy sees herself as "tech-
degrees of religious observ- race with Christianity for sion — prior to meeting Judy. Rabbi Warshal's congre•a- conclusion, as a result of the
ance. Due to these factors, converts, and lost, when Jew- Unlike many c onv erts, tion," she says.
things that had been happen- nically an orphan." She says,
"I'm even forbidden to say
their interest in Judaism is ish proselytizing was out- neither accepted Judaism be-
* * *
ing to me."
the Kaddish (prayer of
sparked by different circum- lawed. The tradition requir- cause of marriage.
Brian states that he actu- mourning) for my parents."
More typical in his motiva-
stances.
*
*
ing that people be refused
tion for. conversion is Brian ally experienced conversion
In addition, Judy says, "I
* * *
three times prior to conver-
One participant in Rabbi S., also a student in Rabbi at this time, although he is don't have any interests in
The vast majority of them sion was a matter of religi-
Warshal's class. Brian was now learning about the actual common with my family any
are converted to Judaism by ous self-protection. I no longer Warshal's class similarly is married to Rhonda last Sep- observance of Judaism.
converting
for
matrimon-
not
more. I can't even tr uly
Rabbi B r u c e Warshal of need to do that."
Brian regards Rabbi War- share their meals, as I'm
ial reasons. Arlene M., a di- tember by a New York rabbi.
Temple Beth Emeth. Leader
In addition, Rabbi Warshal
Rhonda, born a Jewess, shal as a "true teacher of a
of this Re, orm congregation feels that converts offer val- vorcee with two children, says that her family is not way of life" and can identify confined to dairy when I visit
considered
herself
a
Protes-
them."
and teacher of converts for uable contributions to Jewish
observant and feels she is with the manner in which he
Both Brian and Rhonda say
the past five years, Rabbi life. "It has been statistically tant only by virtue of birth. learning much about Juda- explains the Bible. "He's
Raised in a Jewish neigh-
their families reacted very
Warshal characterizes h i s proven by all criteria — syn-
ism in the class. "The things given me more than anyone little to the conversion and
conversion class as "oriented agogue involvement, attach- borhood in Chicago, Arlene
marriage.
* * *
* * *
toward Ref or m Judaism, ment to the Jewish people
Though Arlene's immediate
rather than Halakha (tradi- and ritual observance — that
family in Chicago knows that
tional Orthodox law)."
converts make better Jews
she has converted, she has
His four-month course fol- than the people born into the
not told other, more distant
lows the schedule of the Uni- religion. I am doing a favor
from me, very angry. "You per- relatives.
versity of Michigan trimester to Judaism, by conducting a (Continued from Page 12)
sist in not understanding. Yester-
day He spoke to us, and gave us " T W o of my Christian
system and meets weekly for conversion class."
this fashion, too, that Dr.
a law. I know the Ten Words. friends," she says, " a r e
almost two hours. About 10
Sandmel had drawn upon
Perhaps others know them. How
* * *
will our people know how im- really vehement about what
prospective converts are en-
atti- Jewish ethical traditions to
procedures
and.
portant those Ten Words are?" they see as my giving up
se-
The
rolled in the class each
emphasize
the
great
role
of
tudes of the Reform rabbis
"They know that He gave Christ and moving toward
mester.
them "
the Great Lawgiver.
damnation."
But there are a c t u a 11 y described contrasts strongly
"B ut they have to do some-
But Miriam had also
* *
h traditional Orthodox
thing, or to see something, to
nearly twice as many in at- W i t
maligned Zipporah. When
Words a part of
make
the
Ten
The
final
question
is how
tendance, due to the require- practice, which tends to dis- she came to Moses in the
them."
these Jews plan to observe
ment that all people, who courage people by making wild'rness, with their sons,
I said, "No."
He shook his finger at me. their new faith. For Judy
are married or expect to be, the conversion process Gershom and Eliezer—Moses
"Then I warn you, they will for-
bring their present or in- lengthy and rigorous. The
get
those Words, or they will ig-
tended spouse. Rabbi War- conversion experience of Judy saw Eliezer then for the first
nore them. The Words are His, dilemma. Their way will be
time — accompanied also by
not
theirs. The Words must be- the traditional Orthodox one.
shal estimates that at least R. illustrates this point.
come theirs."
the noble Jethro, Miriam
Both of them have already
80 per cent of the class is — Judy, presently beginning was mean, vicious, a rumor-
"I do not see how a sacrifice
moved, in every detail, to-
will make His Words theirc"
or will be — married. "Most graduate studies at the Uni-
"Because the sacrif*
people," he says, "are seek- versity of Michigan, became spreader. Moses despised
i 1 1 ward this goal. When inter-
touch them that the
are viewed, Judy was lengthening,
ing meaning in life, and a interested in Judaism after her.
theirs."
Moses later had trouble
her
freshman
year
in
college.
ts, her skirts and dresses, ac-
system to share together."
Moses had his opi,
R a b b i Warshal also re- Raised and confirmed by the also with Aaron, especially
especially in Korah. but. he cording to the Orthodox tra-
quires that participants in the Anglican Church, Judy stud- when his brother created the
—Joshua
bin
Nun lieutenant
who was dition that a woman be se-
also had his
loyal
class attend synagogue or zed during her freshman year golden calf.
* * *
temple services weekly. He at Portland State University
not other
men.
Her
fiance
an able fighter, a good mili- ductive
only
to her
husband,
calls himself "rigid" regard- with
with a priest at the campus The Bible story is replete
has grown a beard, not
tart'
organizer
who
could
re-
ing the necessity of regular Ecumenical Center. She says, in the Sandmel novel. There
DR. SAMUEL SANDMEL
sist the marauding tribes touching a razor to his skin,
attendance at religious serv- "I found myself increasingly was the grumbling, the re-
as the Bible says.
For Arlene , Brian and
ices and class. dissatisfied with the answers bellion, the stealing of food, against your neighbor, or who attacked the Israelites
in
the
desert.
The
attackers
. is not
The course c o v e r s four I received to various ques- the misuse of the Mannah covet what belong to him, his claimed the land was theirs,
wife or his slaves or his they ' s° clear-cut. Brian and
privileges.
areas: Jewish philosophy, tions."
feared the Israelites' Rhonda, the situation
Judy spent the next year in
e wanted
his Rhonda say, "The more we
There was need for laws animals."
history, holidays and liturgi-
settlement of Canaan.
Moses
cal Hebrew. Rabbi Warshal Taiwan, studying the Chinese by which the people were
But there was another pleaded that h
we observe." They plan
says that the course is "light language. While there, she able to abide, and Moses problem: Aaron pleaded for people to live in peace with more
about Judaism,
the
on reading, but heavy on in- was the reasearch assistant emerged as a great jurist.
to know
be affiliated
with a Refom
a priesthood; he wanted to the Canaan ites.
volvement." He adds that for a Jewish student from
temple wherever they live,
There were doubts, even be high priest. In Moses's
In a sense,
and want their future off-
many of the participants read Boston. She went with him about the Divinity, but the absence he began to act it;
— the spring to be bar and bat
the Sandmel
material in addition to the to services at the military power above all again he attained it. It was pre- story is a tragedy
few texts required for the chapel and enjoyed it. Judy emerged, and then came the ceded by a dispute. Moses tragic life of a great man mitzva. This Passover, they
says, "I decided there was a
course.
opposed such a role. There who labored for high prin- participated in two sedarim.
Ten Words:
••
lot I likeda
'
Arlene now observes `-ke
heard His voice in the was this dialogue as Sand- ciples which had to be yield-
"I
g
Rabbi Gerald Goldman of and not about Christianity. I midst of the sound. I heard mel envisions it in his novel: ed on the basis of the prag- Sabbath in her home, lig
matic
judgement
of
mankind
the
candles
and
blessing
the
the Bnai Brith Hillel Founda- liked the observant Jews I it clearly. I understood the
Aaron said to me, "Now that
t o b y o b sseerrvve-
tion offers a slightly different met, their honesty and words. I heard them, I ab- He has spoken to us, and given by Aaron.
us His law, we need to worship
warmth"
Judy
began
to
'As history records, Moses Passover
vSerheprimarily
perspective regarding conver-
-
sorbed
them.
I
learned
them,
thank Him." I nodded
Him,
to
sion. "I differ with Rabbi study tl.e Old Testament, un - and later I wrote them. Later my head. "We shall assemble the only saw the Land of Prom- ing Jewish foods to her chil-
and offer an animal sac-
Warshal mainly in the areas der the direction of the re I had our people all learn people,
rifice to Him, a lamb or a kid. As ise from a distance. He was dren so they will realize that
searcher,
in
addition
to
the
not destined to see the Holy it is a holiday. "I try to ob-
did."
of time and content," says
them. All of us at the foot Jethro
dietary laws and liturgy.
"I see no necessity," I said, "to Land. The final words are: serve as many of the rituals
Rabbi Goldman.
of
the
mountain
heard
fiim
offer an animal sacrifice."
She traveled for two
He said that six months
"But you agreed that we much "I will look at the land, for as possible," says Arlene.
speak those Ten Words: I am
Him and thank Him." I want to see it. But more She plans on sending both
to a year is the optimal time months, after her 10-month He Who brought you out of worship
"It is the anima/ sacrifice
than the land, it is our the children to Sunday school,
period necessary to "become stay in Taiwan, visiting syn- the land of Egypt out of the which I see no need for."
Aaron threw up his hands in unique people—our children, starting in September.
committed to Judaism." In agogues in Moscow, Stock- house of bondage. You shall despair.
"How else shall we wor-
holm,
London,
Dublin
and
Despite the diverse diffi-
addition, Rabbi Goldman per-
and their children, and their
have no gods besides Me. ship Him?"
ceives greater depth of study other cities. She observed the You shall make no graven I said, "We can speak; we can children—that I shall imagine culties converts face, they
pray."
as vital to conversion. He Sabbath, while traveling.
"That is no worship. That is I am seeing." That's how the are one in their desire to
image or statue of anything
merely words."
requires that the approxi-
notable novel ends — as a join the congregation of Is-
found
on
earth;
you
shall
not
I said, "I think He understands
Once back at home in Port-
mately half-dozen people he
concern for the unique peo- rael.
words."
bow
down
to
these.
You
shall
As Arlene says, "This is
He was exasperated. "Of course ple for whose liberation
converts each year attend land, Ore., Judy asked an not swear falsely when you
did
not
say
that!
But
He
does.
I
ert
to
Sabbath services regularly,
invoke My name. Remember the people—they will not under- Moses had dedicated his life. not a presumptuous religion,
read and study the weekly her. She was refused. Judy
it means just to speak Dr. Sandmel has written an but is sympathetic to strang-
the Sabbath and keep it holy. stand to what
do nothing more."
Torah portion and observe attended his synagogue every Honor your father and and
unparalleled tribute to the ers. I want to always be able
"I have a higher regard for
the holidays. Rabbi Goldman Saturday, avoided shellfish
intelligence of our people greatest figure in Jewish to identify myself, not as a
mother. Do not kill, commit the
than you have."
history. —P.S. convert, but as a Jewess."
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS adultery, steal, testify falsely He turned and walked away
56—Friday, May N, 1973

Prof. Sandmel Fictionalized Moses