Trans-Atlantic Change

Annabelle Locks, a visit Brit, finds love, life and religion in the States ...
and decides to stay.

sion her Aunt Diana made more than
30 years ago. She, too, came over from
England to work for a brief period and
met her husband her second week in the
, 27, Annabelle Locks is gear-
area, at a party at Wayne State
ing up for the third major
University. The two dated for a year
change of her life in as many
before marrying, and she has enjoyed
years. In September 1995, she
life in Michigan ever since.
left England, her home, for what was to
"It's completely weird," Annabelle
be a short stint in the States; last April,
said about the coincidence between her
she converted to Judaism; and in
November, she will
aunt's life and her
marry the "chap" of
own. "It's just very,
kak41044k,
her dreams.
very bizarre."
Yet Annabelle
While Diana said
intended to only
she never thought
spread her wings in
about the similarity,
the United States for
she is delighted
six months.
Annabelle stayed and
"I was actually
excited about her
niece's upcoming
working in London,
and I wasn't particu-
marriage to Jay. "I'm
larly happy," recalled
happy for
Annabelle," Diana
Annabelle in a jaunty
said.
accent. Her uncle,
Dr. Lawrence
Annabelle's biggest
_challenge is home-
Castleman, offered
sickness, but she
her a job in the
manages to remain
Detroit area — and
an escape from the
close with her family
back in Essex, espe-
long hours she
cially her mother and
worked at a mer-
older brother, Adam.
chant bank and the
A blind date with Jay Schwartz led "I talk to my mother
miserable relation-
every day," she said.
ship in which she was Annabelle Locks to a marriage, a
new country and a new religion.
"My phone bills are
in VO lved.
huge." She also visits
So she took his
every six months – a trans-Atlantic trek
offer and came to the States. Her aunt,
to which Jay has pledged eternal sup-
Diana, asked around to see if her
port.
friends' children would take Annabelle
When things between her and Jay
out. One person was available. During
her second week here, Annabelle met Jay became really serious, Annabelle knew
she had another difficult decision to
Schwartz on a blind date. At 6-feet, 3-
make. Since their first date, Jay had been
inches, with blonde hair and blue eyes,
very open about the fact that he wanted
"he was quite a prize," she laughed.
to marry a Jewish woman.
A little on the shy side, she was
"I think religion is important in fami-
extremely nervous during their first date,
ly life," said Jay, 32, who was raised in a
Annabelle recalled. But the pair hit it
strongly Jewish home. "It is something
off, and she soon ended the miserable
that is important to share with your
relationship overseas.
spouse and [impress upon] your chil-
When her six months were up,
dren ... I believe firmly in the values I
despite being homesick for London,
was taught, and it's something that I
Annabelle decided to stay and be with
would like to share with my family."
Jay. "It's been really difficult," she said of
Although she was raised a Roman
her decision to remain in the States. "It's
Catholic, Annabelle hadn't practiced her
been the biggest decision of my life."
religion since her teen-age years. Last
Coincidentally, it was the same deci-
fall, she and Jay took an introduction to
Darci Smith is a freelance writer based • Judaism class at Temple Israel. In
:in Troy.
October, Jay proposed, with an engage-

DARCI SMITH
Special to The Jewish News

A

ment ring dangling from a string around
the neck of a British bulldog puppy
(whom Annabelle named Doris).
Annabelle met with Rabbi Harold
Loss at Temple Israel to discuss her con-
version and choose a Hebrew name.
Ahuva, which means beloved, seemed
fitting, since her name is Latin for love-
able, French for beautiful, Annabelle
explained.
The morning of her conversion,
when she came face-to-face with her
decision, Annabelle admitted to being a
little nervous, as well as uncomfortable
and scared about immersing in the mik-
vah. But as she dipped under, with Jay
and his family standing outside, and
Rabbi Loss said the "beautiful" ceremo-
nial prayers over her, "I wasn't even
thinking about rhe fact that I had no
clothes on," she said.
Afterward, at the temple, Rabbi Loss
said another prayer over her and Jay said
a prayer to her. "It was a lovely day, real-
ly nice" Annabelle recalled.
She has no regrets. Annabelle reads a
lot about Judaism, and believes she
made a very family-oriented decision.
Every Friday evening, Annabelle and Jay
have a special Shabbat dinner; she lights
candles, he blesses the wine and bread.
"It really makes me feel like we're a cou-
ple, and that our relationship is special,"
Annabelle said. "We have something we
can share in Judaism."
According to Jay, Annabelle's conver-
sion has "helped complete a portion of
our life."
"I was touched ... to actually see her
go through the process," Jay said. He
compared the day of Annabelle's conver-
sion to his own bar mitzvah, a "special
thing you always have and always
remember doing."
Annabelle and Jay live in a house
on Wolverine Lake, where Annabelle
raises her brood — two British bull-
dogs and two cats. Usually clad in
overalls and a pair of Doc Martens,
which she owns in a rainbow of col-
ors, Annabelle is a self-confessed
homebody. But that's just fine with
her — and with Jay — as she can usu-
ally be found in the kitchen, paision-
ately preparing a vegetarian dish.
"I love cooking for Jay," she said. "I'd
never be happier than in the kitchen
with my chopping board and a glass of
Merlot."

HAPPENINGS

Sunday, Sept.13

Fitness Fest '98 at the Jimmy
Prentis Morris JCC. 6:30-9:30
p.m. Open gym, aerobics, work-
out facilities and trainers, plus
learn about a discount on JCC
memberships. Cost: $4. Marc
Berke, (248) 203-1458.

Monday, Sept. 14

Hillel of Metro Detroit Coffee
House Night. 9 p.m. Lonestar
Coffee Co., 207 S. Woodward,
Birmingham. (313) 577-3459.
Bring a can of kosher food to
donate to Yad Ezra.

First session, Jewish book club
for young adults, through the
Agency for Jewish Education. 7-
8:30 p.m. At Bravo Coffee
House, Southfield. Call the AJE,
(248) 354-1050, to put your
name on the book club list and
receive the first selection.

Thursday, Sept. 17

Around the World: A Taste of
HMD. 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5.
Allen House, 556 W. Maple,
Birmingham. Taste-fest plus
meet representatives from Hillel
of Metro Detroit and other
Detroit area young adult organi-
zations. (313) 577-3459 or
email: hillel@wayne.edu.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Israel Party '98, kickoff for the
1999 UJA summer singles mis-
sion to Israel, (ages 21-40). 8:30
p.m. At the home of Michelle
Rosenthal. Those who sign up
with a $100 deposit by Oct. 15
will be entitled to a $250 dis-
count on the price of the trip.
Marc Berke, (248) 203-1458.

Oct. 9-11

Biking in Saugatuck, with
Steppin' Out. Bike along the
Lake Michigan shoreline and
room at a country inn on the
harbor with Chicago's outdoor
adventure group for Jewish
adults, Steppin' Out. Cost: $310,
including accommodations and
meals. (773) 509-8595.

9/11
1998

Detroit Jewish News

1.11