User Profile

My name is Shannon. I'm 29. I'm an Irish girl, and I was once a theological nomad on a spiritual journey.

I had wanted to explore Judaism for years and years. I've dated a couple of Jewish boys who broke my heart, but helped pave the way for me to finally take the initiative to fully explore the Judaic path. I went to a Jewish Pre-school. My Great-Great Grandmother on my mother's side was Jewish. I have Jewish friends, and love Jewish culture. But I myself was not actually Jewish, and no one in my (living) family is. I honestly don't know why I was so taken by it. It was just been a gravitational pull by G-d I suppose.

If it were ever possible to have a crush on a religion, mine would be Judaism.

Anywho, I decided to jump into the water and see what the Jewish world is all about, and whether or not it is a path I wanted to take further spiritually. My Judaic journey first started off with the help of the wonderful Rabbi Valerie Cohen from Beth Israel in Jackson, MS. I stumbled upon it while working with AmeriCorps in 2006. It was very welcoming, and quite Gentile-friendly! :)
Once I moved back to Troy, NY after my AmeriCorps stint was over, I started working with Rabbi Debora Gordon in Troy, NY at Berith Sholom. It is a small, delightful Reform synagogue right here in town. I owe a lot to both these women for helping steer me in the path that is right for me, and that FEELS right, and helping me to feel comfortable in my studies and prayer.

I have had many connections with G-d throughout my life: Hinduism, Buddhism, Wicca/Pan-Paganism, Christianity, Ifa, all kinds of things. When I started off on this Judaism adventure, I wasn't sure if it was the right path for me, or merely a stepping stone further into my journey with the Almighty. Either way, I was happy and excited to be on it.

This journal was originally meant to help me chronicle that journey, as Judaism is a very deep, academic, and intense religion. As a writer, this was be the best way for me to really get introspective as to what I was learning and feeling while traveling this road.

On March 16th of 2008, nearly two and a half years after I started my studies in Judaism in a hot little synagogue in Jackson, MS, I dunked in a mikvah in Albany, NY under the supervision of the Rebbetzin Faye Silton, with Rabbi Paul Silton from Temple Israel standing outside. My dear Rabbi Gordon and my mother-in-law were inside. I said the Bra'cha, and after 3 dunks, I emerged a new Jew. I later got to recite the Sh'ma as I held a small Torah. It was one of the best, happiest, most electrifying days of my life. I had become a Jew and I will never look back. It has become a core part of my identity and my connection with Hashem. It is a lifelong bond that will keep me learning, studying, and praying.

Now that I am no longer a Jew-In-Training, this journal serves as a sounding board for various ideas, books I've read, spiritual/theological ponderings, and all other things in my Jewish life.

Feel free to ride along with me, and also feel free to laugh (hence why I called this "shiksa" journey ;). Besides love; laughter I believe, is one of G-d's greatest gifts to humanity.

I wholeheartedly indulge in both gifts :)

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