|
Cooking.com
| What a day! 8 of us left the house at 6 am Sunday, December 16, 2001 to drive in 2 cars to New York. We got to New York around 9:30am for an 11am Beit Din. We went to Garden-of-Eat-In for a little breakfast - I surprised myself by being able to eat! So now to the stuff you are really wanting to hear about. They let everyone sit in on my Beit Din and all of my family and friends were questioned (where are you from, why are you here, and in some cases intense questioning about their schooling/studies/etc.). I was asked a variety of questions - all had been on the Question Sheets that Rabbi X had me fill out over the last couple of weeks. We had a good time, if I didn't know the answer I had someone else in the group answer & I had everyone laughing at various times - I don't recommend this as a general method. Everyone that came is part of my "Shabbos Household" so I thought it was good to show the Beit Din that I have a community and that we are all learning together since the Chabad family hasn't fully moved in yet. They began moving into the house Sunday so B'H we will have a place to pray and study for Shabbos by January 1st. After about 45 minutes I was sent to get ready for the Mikvah - 2 of my girl friends came in with me (thanks Chaiya and Manuela). When I was ready the Mikvah Lady had me go into the mikvah and do some practice immersions - it took 6 before I got it right. Then I was given a bathrobe to wear in the Mikvah while I was asked 14 questions (basics - do you accept 613 mitzvot, understand penalties, do this willingly, want to continue, will lead torah life, will raise children in Yeshiva, etc.) Then the Rabbis stepped out. I removed the robe & positioned myself to a spot in the Mikvah where the rabbis could see the top of my head and nothing else. We did the 1st immersion & then I said the bracha (al haTevilah). I immersed again and said Shehecheyonu then I did one final immersion. The Rabbis left the room. I felt like I had received a new body and had to relearn how to walk, I was crying and totally overwhelmed. Finally I got out and dressed. I went and joined the entire group was given my Hebrew name (Malka Esther bat Avroham Aveinu v' Sarah Imanu). I then Read the Shema, gave Tzedaka, and said a blessing for the Beit Din and all my friends and family. Two of the rabbis, the other women who convertedd at the same time, and my "gang" went around the street for pizza. Then we separated - my group all went shopping while the rabbis went on their way. At 5pm we met at Douggies in Boro Park where we met up with more friends. Dinner was a lot of fun. Although we did have some unusual entertainment - a fist fight broke out in the lobby during dinner! Bet most converts don't see that on their 1st day as a Jew, 2 "frum" Jews fighting in a restaurant. In my 1st hour as a Jew I performed about 20 mitzvot!! By the end of the day I had said at least 30 Brachot! I got to say Shehecheyonu twice - after the 2nd immersion and when lighting Chanukah candles Sunday night. So that is my story. Hope you enjoyed reading it. From here you can read my story or my Personal Statement. |
All information on this website is copyrighted 2006
Contact administrator with comments and feedback |
