Coming to live in a different country is extremely daunting. In many ways, I feel very linked to New York and leaving was difficult because of that connection. Coming to London only deepens my sense of identity. However, this keen sense of self also allows me to look at other societies and people from the eye of an outsider.
This Rosh Hashanah I had the fortunate pleasure to spend the holiday with my friend Josh and his family in Edgware, a suburb of London. Being welcomed into their home was exactly what I needed when in a foreign city. The English are a very civilized (civilised) and reserved people. But once they get to know you it is like being welcomed into a warm and inviting club. I loved getting to meet Josh's family and friends while celebrating and getting an English experience of a Jewish holiday.
When I was in high school, I had a dance teacher who told me that the wonderful thing about dancing ballet is that it is the same in every country around the world. This is true with Jewish practice. While various customs vary, all in all, prayers are prayers past down for thousands of year. Josh's synagogue in Edgware (the Edgware & District Reform Synagogue) is the largest in Europe. Walking to services on Saturday was a massive exodus of Jews to this synagogue. The service (minus a blessing over the Royal Family) was entirely the same to what I've grown up including the melodies. I found this too to be reassuring.
The high holidays for me are about tradition and remembering the Jewish people and their history. Spending Rosh Hashanah in London with Josh's family and at Josh's synagogue was a reminder that despite different passports and ways of speaking - there is a continuity, a sense of common history among Jews.
That strong and solid foundation is very deep and powerful.
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