About Our Discovery And Return Forum

In the past years, there has been a resurgence of commitment to living a life of Torah. The Baal Teshuva is real and is found everywhere.

As a Baal Teshuva of many years, I realize that the problems that are confronted are common to us all and I hope that by sharing with each other, we will grow in our learning and our understanding of the challenges we face and the joys that are here for us to claim.

Over twenty years ago, I discovered that there was more to Judaism, then what I had been living. Having lived a perfectly "normal" life, the ideal television family, Mom, Dad and the kids, a good parnussa (income) and a nice home in a good neighborhood, discontent with our lives was the last reason we had to make such dramatic changes in our lives. We were blessed with many friends and our lives were full and happy. I cannot answer the question, that I am so often asked, "Why did you make the change?" It happened naturally and comfortably and slowly. I would like to stress the slowly because this does not happen overnight.

We took on mitzvahs, one at a time, and actually played at being kosher, meaning that we took two sets of treif dishes and separated them and used them to practice having a kitchen which was to become kosher. This is a story, in itself.

We lived in a community that was Reform, Conservative and Gentile. When we started on this road, we had two other families, who saw the same light, that we did. This made it a lot easier, as you can imagine. We did not take on the same mitzvahs, at the same time, though. Our growth was individualized, even within families. We started a minyan in our homes and changed locations, on occasion. We imported bochurim to insure that we would have the necessary minyan.

We faced decisions that seem unsurmountable but turned out to be molehills, instead of mountains. This is for a later time.

I would like, very much, to hear from others who are looking into adding mitzvahs, in their lives or who have taken a similar road to ours. We can learn from each other and give strength to one another and those who may choose not to participate. Let me hear from you so that we can continue this discussion.

- Chaya Sura, Moderator

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Chaya Sura, chaya@JewishAmerica.com our Forum's Moderator

Autobiography to follow

 

Rabbi Tzvi Black, black@JewishAmerica.com

Rabbi Black is a graduate of Ner Israel Rabbinical College. He also attended Johns Hopkins University and Atlanta University. He taught for a number of years in Baltimore Maryland, Savannah Georgia, Atlanta Georga, and Jerusalem. He is married, has seven children, one recently married, and he lives in New Jersey.