Yachad b'Shalom ~ Together in Peace
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December 2001/January 2002
I have noticed recently, not by a casual observation, but one analyzed and
modified periodically, that the Jewish population I have been apart of my
entire life is expanding. Over the last decade, I have run the gamut from
being immersed in doubt, no longer sheltered by the warmth and sustenance of
the Jewish community, to a new discovery, which is twofold: my foundation
of strength, and my new found position of social crusader.
Initially, trying to find access to the community I was once so nurtured by
was suddenly new to me. Over night, my position of comfort, one that I had
taken for granted,was no longer my reality. I become conscious of my new
found position. I was on the outside looking in, feeling shunned and rejected, I wanted to flee, but where would I go? I am a Jew that has always had the familial affection that that position entitled me too all my life. Disillusioned and dazed, by this new perspective, I felt lost, and had nowhere to turn, so I turned inward.
It is ironic that the events in one’s lifetime can evolve into a force more
powerful and remarkable than the individual, or is it the other way around?
My epic saga began 13 years ago as an adolescent. The man of my dreams came
into my life; he had changed my course forever. My beshert (soulmate), was
encapsulated into a non-Jewish, African American. Not the ideal match, at
least in my mother’s eyes. My mother and I had to resolve the conflict, the
confusion and the intolerance we had brought to the table. We had to evolve, and since we were as close as a mother and daughter could possibly be, that meant, we had to accomplish this together, and ultimately, we did.
After my children were born my new family progressively, with a great sense of in trepidation, began to resurface. The faces in the community were
familiar, but their stares and whispers were not intelligible I didn’t
understand how they could express their views so open and so often!
Eventually, we did “reintroduce” ourselves. I was no longer one individual,
but an integral part of the whole, of my diverse Jewish family. Overcoming
the resistance was far from over. Albeit, things had changed for us, as the
years progressed, but outwardly, in the Jewish community, I still had no
resources. I was interested in finding Jewish things that represented my
family.
Growing up, my house was covered with what I like to refer to as Jewish
paraphernalia. Paintings of Great rabbi’s covered our walls; books lined the shelves all related to the mysteries of my world. As much as I loved those heirlooms, they didn’t adequately portray my evolved vision of Jewish
existence. I wanted to amend our family’s definition of Jewish
representation, which was just as involved as my transformation. I began to
search for items, posters for my children comprised of Jewish themes. To my
continual dismay, there just weren’t any.
I became quite savvy on the keyboard, surfing the web for something, ANYTHING I could proudly present to those little Jewish faces. There just weren’t any, at first. I knew that I felt more and more isolated, as my searches produced nothing but late night searches and exhausted days. The isolation grew in direct conflict with my by determination. Feeling alone I needed some solace, but I couldn’t find that either.
Eventually, I began finding a minimal amount of resources onthe Internet, but I quickly realized that the resources I needed were support from others that had to be experiencing the same isolating, sobering journey. As I was
kvetching (complaining) to my husband, about the lack of networking opportunities, it occurred to me that it was possible that I was
capable and motivated enough to create one. It hit me like any good epiphany; it came into my thoughts clear and focused and determined to accomplish exactly what I was looking for! Yachad b’Shalom ~ Together in Peace became my new truth, a place where all diverse Jews were able to extend and encourage others to follow their hearts, their Jewishness in a way I was accustomed to in a previous life,and I embraced that feeling.
Now, it is three years and three beautiful Jewish boys later, and I am still
in the middle of my journey. I have now added to my repertoire, as well as my son’s bedrooms, the family room, living room,hallways, and friend’s homes
those heirlooms that I had always imagined in my heart. My house exudes the
same levelof tranquility as the one I grew up in, but with a new pragmatic
point of view. I have created my own Jewish paraphernalia paintings of my
children, paintings of rabbi’s and women that embody the essence of Jewish
diversity.
As I continue my journey, I am constantly reminded that there are no longer
barriers that I cannot overcome. What began, as a personal quest for
emotional sustenance became the voice of the diverse Jewish population. We
have somehow found each other, and the benefits are bountiful, and more
continue to surface. The once Jewish ideal has been revised, to include all
of us, from all around the world.
Shira-Davida Goldberg-Rathell is a Jewish Diversity consultant also the
Executive Director of YBS. She is currently in Northern California and lives
with her husband, three children and their pomeranian, Maccabee.
Shira-Davida has written many articles on diverse Jewry with an emphasis on
multiethnic Jewish families. Her educational background is in Jewish studies, psychology and pre-med. She is a member of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society of Psychology and was awarded a Fellowship at the Medical College of WI. She was also a Sunday school and Hebrew teacher. Her current commitments are social activism, painting and her vision, Yachad b'Shalom ~Together In Peace.
Copyright © 2001 The Multiracial Activist. All rights reserved.
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