Kindness
and a Welcoming Attitude: That's All You Need
By: MARLA LIPMAN
When I first
became observant, I was, for the most part, on my own. I did not have a
strong attachment to the observant community. I lived on Antisdale in
Cleveland Heights and would walk to Taylor Rd Synagogue on Shabbos
morning. I would meet a friend there who also did not have much of an
attachment to the community. After davening (services), I
would
go home to my parents’ house on Antisdale and eat a cold Shabbos lunch,
often by myself. The day would be very long, with nobody to visit or to
share the Shabbos experience. There were a few observant families on my
street that I did not know very well. My commitment was floundering.
One
Shabbos morning, as I was walking home from Taylor Rd Synagogue, an
observant man came sprinting out of his house toward me. I barely knew
him. After Shabbos greetings, he asked if I would like to join his
family for lunch. I could not join them that day, so he invited me for
the next Shabbos, which I did accept. That next week I nervously walked
over to his family's house, not knowing what to expect. I did not
really know them, but felt the invitation was a kind gesture. It was
not a large house, even though the man had a wife and five small
children. The food was great and I had a wonderful time. I became their
regular guest. I felt like part of their family, always receiving warm
treatment from the parents as well as the children. My commitment as a
Torah Jew became much stronger.
Harriett Bloch, the mother of
this wonderful family, was often outside with her children, during the
weekdays, kibbitzing with all the neighbors, whether they were
religious or not. Since many nonobservant people do not have contact
with observant people, getting the friendly, welcoming feeling from
someone like Harriett was crucial. My mother became friendly with
Harriett and got a really good impression of observant people through
the way Harriet interacted with people of all backgrounds.
A
few years later, the Blochs celebrated with me when I became a Kallah
(engaged) and at my wedding. Today, we still remain good friends.
Harriett later revealed that they were hesitant to come outside and
invite me over to their house. They had watched me walk by for several
weeks but were afraid of what my reaction would be to an invitation
from a family I barely knew. In fact I am incredibly grateful that they
made the decision to invite me to join their family that Shabbos many
years ago as I am not sure if I would be where I am today if they had
not reached out to me.
I am sure many people have similar stories. The Blochs had no
special training in Kiruv (outreach). They were
just a regular observant family that welcomed me in a friendly and
accepting way. I learned how beautiful an observant family's life can
be and wanted to live my life in a similar fashion. While it
is
difficult to reach out to nonobservant Jews as we are uncertain about
how they will react, I urge everyone to do whatever they can. Just
welcoming others and taking an interest in them can make a positive
difference in people’s lives. It certainly did so for
me.
