Friend Request - did I actually click "Ignore?"

In an earlier blog post, I said that I thought I may have responded to this "friend request," but I did not want to display or announce this "friend" on my "wall."

For the past couple of days, I've been thinking about this, since, I was told yesterday, that to believe a person can not be ashamed of Him or pretend not to know Him.

I can't "do this." I can tell a few trusted people about what is going on inside me spiritually, but I can't tell my family or those around me. I act like nothing new has happened. In fact, I make it clear to them that I like being Jewish and seeking God as a Jew.

So...it looks like I don't believe after all. It's confusing, since, for a time, I really thought I did believe.

I am back to where I started a year ago when I contacted Lynn Wein McCoy. I am a Jew who very much believes in God. And...if Jesus is the messiah, I want to believe that.

The problem is this: I don't want to be a Christian and/or do the things that Christians are expected to do. I don't want to go to a church. I want to go to and be part of a Jewish temple. I want to be part of the Jewish community in my city. I want to "fellowship" with Jews.

I also still have a hard time believing that Jesus is the only way.

I'm sorry if I led anyone on. "This" is harder than I thought.

Our Rabbi Is Leaving - I'm So Sad

I shed some tears last night. You see, finally, after so much time of not feeling like our family belonged anywhere, the rabbi at our temple gave us a sense of belonging. He also became part of my family's life. Not only did he officiate at my mother's Colorado funeral, but he is the one that made Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah possible.

Now, that rabbi is leaving. He truly cared about his congregation. He gave me a feeling he truly cared about me. He liked teaching Rebekah. He liked Annabelle. He cared about my father when my mother died. He loves Judaism. He passed that love on to everyone he met in Colorado Springs.

He said he does not know where his family will be in a year. He also said that sometimes we have to leave a place where we feel comfortable and secure and loved to go to to whatever God has in store for us next. He explained that the temple is not about him, but about the people that are there. His great love and knowledge and joy of God shows in all he does. I know in advance I will miss him greatly.

This year has been one of change for our family. There have been very painful changes. My mother died. Our ice dance coaches were taken away from my kids. Now, our rabbi is leaving.

I know God's love does not change. I am convinced of that, but still, losing this rabbi at this time, is hard for me. I wonder what the future will bring.

My Daughter's Bat Mitzvah! 6-17-11

On Friday, June 17, 2011, my beautiful daughter, Rebekah Abigail Schneider-Farris, had her Bat Mitzvah! It as a lot of work, but all that work was certainly worth it! The whole evening was not only about Rebekah, but about God.

One of the most moving part of the service was when the Torah was passed from my dad to me and then to Dan and then to Rebekah. The ceremony showed that the Torah is passed from one generation to another.



My "Mom's Speech" ended with the song from Fiddler on the Roof "Sabbath Prayer." Yes, my wish for Rebekah is that God blesses her, takes care of her, and gives her a wonderful life!

Rebekah did a WONDERFUL job! I am so proud of her.

• The Burden of Leadership A D’var Torah for Parashat Sh’lach Lecha by Rebekah Abigail Schneider-Farris
• Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah Thank You Speech 6-17-11
• Mother's Bat Mitzvah Speech 6-17-11

It's All Good - God Made It and It's All Good!

Last night, a Jewish musical group called Sababa sang at Temple Beit Torah. They led the congregation and added to the regular order of the Shabbat service. It really made a difference to have music that was upbeat. It put everyone in a great mood!

The service ended with a song called "It's All Good." Here's the lyrics:

It's All Good

Text: Psalm 136:1, Gen. 1:31

Chorus:
It’s all good, it’s all good
God made it and it’s all good

We thank you, God, for the gifts you bring
For the food we eat, for the songs we sing
We thank you, God, for the earth & sky
For our family’s love as the days go by

Chorus:
We thank you God, for the night and day
For the gift of Torah that shows us the way
We thank you, God, for our Sabbath rest
For You are One, and we are blessed!

Chorus:
Hodu L’adonai, L’adonai ki tov
V’yahr Elohim et kol asher asah
V’hiney tov m’od

Give thanks to God, for God is good!
God saw everything that She had created and it was good.

As I was at the service last night, I knew that I was where I belong. I am part of the Jewish community and I'm glad my family could be there and celebrate God together.

I learned that the word "sababa" means "cool" or "great" or "groovy." I think that summed up what we experience last night!

Friend Request

I think I responded to this "friend request," but I'm not sure I want to display this on my "wall."

Let Us Adore the Everliving God

I love this song!

Let us adore the everliving God
and render praise unto Him,
Who spread out the heavens
and established the earth.
He is our God and there is none else.