Ruth Bolliger
Portland, OR

Judaism and I are a work in progress--a regrettably recent one. Although I always knew we were Jewish, all that really meant to me while growing up, is that it was the reason we were immigrants/refugees, that we were different, we were poor, and we didn't really belong anywhere. Judaism as religion, as a source of spirituality, or as a lifestyle had no place in our secular home; and being Jewish was best not talked about. We survived in hiding--and remain hidden.

When my oldest daughter was 12 she became interested in her roots and we (my 3 daughters and I) started going to Seders, at her request. During high school she was a member of Hashachar and at 15 went to Israel for one month through a high school program. (I have never been.) Her interest eventually waned but mine did not. As a family we participated regularly in other people's Seders. I still do, going to the same 3 each year. My knowledge of Judaism has grown imperceptibly in bits and pieces gleaned from the Seders, attending Kol Nidre most years, attending B'Nai Mitzvot, participating in Child Survivor conferences for eight of the last ten years, and as a member of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial steering committee for the past ten years.

Attending the Melton School is a six-year dream whose time has finally come. I have been acutely aware and increasingly embarrassed by my near-total ignorance of Judaism. Although I still can't repeat much from individual lessons, I have begun, through this class, to integrate the random bits and pieces accumulated over the past 25 years. You are teaching me the basics that any Jew a quarter my age ought to know, e.g. why Torah study is important, the beautiful logic in Judaism, an outline of our history and its influences, the context for faith where logic doesn't apply or is irrelevant; you give me a growing sense of who we (!) are as a people, and how we came to be who we are. I am loving the depth and breadth of subject matter, the intelligence of our discussions, and the exposure to (aspects of) "the Jewish soul" in Purposes. (And recognizing the beauty with which the Jewish calendar is "set up" to nurture us if we allow it, in Rhythms.)

Never having felt that I truly belong anywhere, this class is helping me clarify that however I choose to practice (or not) Judaism, this is where I belong, both by heritage and by choice. It is helping me affirm my Jewish roots and to choose Judaism solidly as my spiritual base. What more could anyone ask? Thank you!