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April 04, 2003 - Image 22

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2003-04-04

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

said his decision to convert also came largely from his
friends in the Reform movement's youth group, the
North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY).
"In NFTY, I learned about the morals behind
Judaism," Casey said. "I love being with my NFTY
friends and converting only strengthens the bond of
my NFTY family even more."
With Casey's April .1 conversion at Temple Israel,
where there is a mikvah — in the presence of Rabbis
Moskowitz and Schwartz and Teniple Israel Rabbi
Joshua Bennett — he became Jewish.
"While Casey's conversion took place on Tuesday, it
will be affirmed on Shabbat with the reading of the
Torah," Rabbi Moskowitz said of the Friday, April 4,
service when Casey will be called to the Torah as a bar
mitzvah at Shir Shalom.
It took a lot of extra study for Casey to prepare to
read Torah and participate in leading the service. "He
went through the same process as anyone becoming a
bar mitzvah — meeting with a tutor, writing a dvar
Torah [Torah lesson], but for Casey, it also meant prac-
ticing reading Hebrew," Rabbi Moskowitz said.
Casey spent last summer beginning his studies with
Shir Shalom teacher and b'nai mitzvah tutor Robert
Lask.
NFTY friends- Marina Abayer, 16, and Rachel Kahan, 17, both of West Bloomfielt4. Rachel Hollander, 15, of Orchard
"Throughout the process, Casey really gained the
Lake; Casey Horton, 15, of Huntington Woods; Reid Smith, 15, of Bloomfield Hills; Amanda German, 17, of Livonia
admiration and respect of his peers," Rabbi Moskowitz
said.
Because of the role his NFTY friends have played in
his journey, he decided to celebrate his bar mitzvah on
the Shabbat when they held their Board Kallah pro-
gram at Shir Shalom. "He told me in many ways
NFTY is his Jewish family," Rabbi Moskowitz said.
So, when the a/iyot (calls to the Torah) were offered,
Casey included his friends. In addition to the honor
given his father and religious school director Amy
Seidman, Casey will invite his NFTY friends onto the
bimah. 'All 90 of them will go up," Carol Horton
said.
but by belief," the three of them decided the issue of
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
This week, Casey also has chosen a Hebrew name,
conversion should be Casey's choice.
StaffWriter
deciding
on Kasriel, inspired by Rabbi Kasriel
"I always knew it was my decision to convert, how-
Shemtov,
who, with his wife, Itty, has hosted the
ever,
I
needed
to
learn
more
about
Judaism,"
Casey
his week started and ended pretty typically
Hortons on many occasions in worship and study at
said.."And I wasn't ready yet."
for Casey Horton of Huntington Woods,
the Shul-Chabad Lubavitch.
Through the years,
but in between the classes and time spent
Already a practicing Jew before
Casey became a part of
with friends, the Berkley High School
his conversion, Casey said, "I will
Shir Shalom's religious
sophomore converted to Judaism and became a bar
continue to learn and practice the
school, sometimes singing
mitzvah.
faith that I have chosen."
in
the
synagogue
choir
Being called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah at age 15
Casey is now taking classes
with
his
father
and
was, for Casey, the culmination of a long road of study
toward his June 2003 confirmation
attending services more
and strong, personal commitment to Judaism.
at Shir Shalom and will continue
than most high school
Casey's journey began when his father, John, met
his Jewish learning, including
kids," Rabbi Moskowitz
Casey's stepmother, Carol. "Even before we were mar-
attending a Torah study group. He
said. 'And when he isn't
ried five years ago, Carol and I went to Temple Shir
will
also continue to volunteer at
singing in the choir, he's
Shalom together," John Horton said. "When Casey
the
Friendship
Circle in West
sitting
with
the
congrega-
was in fourth grade, I took an Introduction to Judaism
Bloomfield,
where
he works with
tion
in
the
front
row."
class with Rabbi (Dannel) Schwartz. . Because I was
w
autistic children, including a young
At the end of the reli-
never a big advocate of baby sitters and because I am a
man who will participate in Casey's
John, Casey and Carol Ho rton
gious school term last
big advocate of education, Casey came with me."
bar mitzvah.
year, Casey went to Rabbi
After John's 1998 marriage to Carol — at Shir
"Judaism has helped me be clear about the choices I
Moskowitz to tell him he wanted to convert to
Shalom — he continued his studies with Rabbi
make in my life," Casey said.
Judaism. "He had been identifying as a Jew, living a
Michael Moskowitz, and a year later converted to
Rabbi Moskowitz understands how life-changing
Jewish
life
for
as
long
as
I'd
known
him
and
embraced
Judaism.
those
choices will be. "As a rabbi, it is a blessing to see
Judaism
totally,
but
now
we
were
talking
about
mak-
"At the time, we, as a family, met with Rabbi
the journeys people make," he said. "I am so proud
ing it formal," the rabbi said.
Schwartz wondering if Casey should convert, too,"
of what Casey has accomplished and what he will
"I just wanted to be Jewish," Casey said. "I love the
Carol said.
continue to do, and of the way I know he will pres-
sense of belonging and community."
While John said he found his conversion "a very
ent himself as a Jew." ❑
In addition to the inspiration of his family, Casey
personal journey, with Judaism practiced not by rote,

One Of The Tribe

Conversion formalizes teen's feelings of belonging
to the Jewish community.

T

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4/ 4
2003

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