On a path a Michelle Jones type situation

Conversion Ceremony

I am absolutely overwhelmed by how meaningful my conversion ceremony was. The mikvah was incredibly meaningful of course but it was a solitary event and its power was quiet and internalized. The conversion ceremony was as public as it could be and the power with which the community embraced me was awe inspiring. It was a feeling like no other I have ever experienced.

The morning started in the small sanctuary. Funny story about that. I have my “sacred space” in both the small and the large sanctuaries. In the small sanctuary I like to be all the way against the wall. I was nervous because that meant when it was time for my aliyah and speech I would have to squeeze by everyone else in the row. As the early prayers went on more and more people came into the small sanctuary and it was getting a little crowded. Rabbi actually took a vote to see if we should stay in the small sanctuary or move to the large one. The “squishees” (those who wanted to stay squished and squeezed in the small sanctuary) carried the vote but then Rabbi said “eh, we’ll let Michelle decide.” I said large sanctuary and he made a joke about the power I wielded. 

So we moved to the large sanctuary and I got to settle into my sacred spot in that room and have all the friends and family who had come to shul to support me sitting in the row with me or directly in front of me. Even before my aliyah and speech people were starting to come up to me with hugs and hearty mazel tovs. I was honored with the 7th aliyah. It was incredible.

Then, in front of the ark, I read my declaration of faith and said the shema in Hebrew and English. Finally, my speech/ d’var Torah. I started reading a little too fast but Rabbi reminded me to slow down. The audience seemed with me and intent on listening. My nerd line got a big laugh which made me happy. After the speech was done it took forever to get back to my seat in the back of the sanctuary because of all the hugs, kisses, hand shakes and mazel tovs along the way. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more welcomed in my life.
During the haftarah people kept coming over and hugging me and congratulating me. Several people said how moved or touched they were by my speech. After services we had kiddush. The walk down the hall to the auditorium was filled with more hugs and well wishes. And also compliments on my Hebrew name by a woman who shares it.

A few of the older people in the congregation who don’t hear so well asked to read my speech. Two of them did so and I let a third one just take my copy of the speech home with her. The speech is saved on my MacBook (and here of course) so I didn’t need it.

I didn’t get a chance to eat much at all because there were so many people saying nice things to me and so many interesting conversations to get into. I tried to be a social butterfly and flitter about the room and say hello to everyone and chat here and there. It was really just an amazing, amazing experience. I wish I could wrap up every detail and feeling in my mind so I could replay them again and again. It was just incredible.

A few of my favorite moments

1. A woman who I’ve only recently met (but adore) said “I thought were a rabbinical student!” when she entered the sanctuary. That’s funny because….well, I don’t think I’m ready to share what’s funny about this but you can take my word on it.Later she came over, hugged me again and said she can’t wait to have B and I over for shabbos dinner.
2.  A couple smart, interesting women that I’ve seen around shul forever but have never really spoken to hugging and cooing over me. One of them came back multiple times to hug me and say how she happy was to have heard my speech.
3. A conversation with the president of the synagogue (who I dont know very well at all yet)

President:You know what I like best about you Michelle?
Me:  No ma’am I don’t.
President: You make my rabbi happy.
Me: Wow, what makes you say that?
President: Every time your name comes up he beams. He talks about how you’re helping the synagogue with technology issues and how active you are in the synagogue and how excited we are to have you here. Then there was a party with cake, presents and me getting really drunk on bourbon. The friends who came to the party gave me amazing presents (10 plagues finger puppets for Passover!) , cards and sincere well wishes on the next stage of my life and spiritual journey. It was amazing.