by Sylvia Lichtenger

My youngest son, Wyatt, just had his bar mitzvah this past Saturday. Yes, I converted when I married my husband David. And no, I’m not”religious”.  I converted because I felt a pull towards Judaism, I wanted to contribute something — I had no real idea what I was contributing, but I had such admiration for the culture, such respect for all that Jews have done in terms of scientific advancement, education, philanthropy.

So when I was sitting watching the ceremony, it hit me. I had borne and raised two young Jewish young men, two additions to the world, who hopefully had the Jewish values that I did NOT have growing up. Two human beings that cared about the needy, that cared about Jewish history, that helped the 6 million dead not die in vain. I finally knew why I converted, and I cried tears of thankfulness and relief.

I did not convert merely to recite meaningless Hebrew in temple, I converted to further a wonderful faith/culture/religion – whatever you want to call it. Let’s face it.On a per capita basis, Jews have done more for mankind that any other group, and I have done my part to help that group survive.