Observant Jew
© Written - April 15th, 2017 - 5:08 pm to 5:40 pm
I grew up with a very limited understanding of Judaism. I think of my self as culturally Jewish. Chanukah and Passover were marked with candy sent to my sister and I from one grandparent. And for some reason, I didn't grow up with an understanding or sense of Judaism expressed in diverse ways.
One day when I was in Hillel, 2 other Hillel members were a couple (Seth and Antonella). At one point, Antonella and maybe Seth put 2 and 2 together and suggested that I apply at B'nai Shalom Day School, since I was an elementary education major. I had to ask them to clarify more information about the school for me. It was ironic because while they didn't grow up in Greensboro and I did, they knew about it, but I didn't. it turns out that B'nai Shalom Day School were the same age with only 1 year between us.
I found myself working at B'nai Shalom Day School as a teacher assistant in mostly 1st and 2nd grade classrooms. One day , Brent (a second grader) asked me, "Mr. Goldstein, are you observant?" Without missing a beat, I said, "yeah, I notice things." I realized later that he was probably referring to a Jewish custom of observing the high holydays that's called being observant. I wasn't trying to be smart with Brent. But I as I was reflecting later, I realized that my description of observant was significant. I grew up with several positive role models and support, examples of observing things in my life and working with things to try to make things better. A lot of time in thought, sometimes in action. I don't know what Brent thought about my response. And if he remembers at all , if so, what he thinks or does he remember that situation at all. So, I'm curious to talk with Brent now who would probably be about 34 year old in this year (2017). I know that that experience has provided me with a lot of reflections since that interaction and it will probably continue.