Wonderings 3 Why Here?
What I am wondering about for this week is: what brought you to B'nai Zion and/or what brought you to Shreveport?
The full question can be found HERE on my Blog page.
I am sharing answers with you, but I have edited these responses to keep them anonymous. I may still post some graphs of the answers to this week's question.
Responses:
My story is simple as to why I am a member of B’nai Zion. I married the love of my life and moved to S’port in 1956. My husband’s family were founding members of B’nai Zion. [N]
Born in Shreveport and my father was a B’nai Zion member. [F]
After serving in the military, I moved here to be near family. They were already members at B'nai Zion - in fact they were on the Board. I went to my first Brotherhood meeting, and was made the President. [M]
We came to Shreveport for my husband to do an internship. He wound up taking on more responsibilities here during the Vietnam War. I actually had been to B'nai Zion before at a SOFTY event, and already knew people here when we moved here. It was an easy choice to be a member of B'nai Zion.[S]
I was born in Shreveport. [B]
What brought me to B’nai Zion? I was raised going to Agudath Achim. During those years, Rabbi Brenner was like another father to me. I held him in the utmost respect and loved both he and his wife.
Unfortunately he retired just before my Bar Mitzvah and I never meshed with any rabbi after that and soon stopped going completely. It wasn’t until just a few years ago, I heard about a Torah study class at B’nai Zion and loved not only the class but Rabbi Jana as well. I had never been around a Rabbi that was so perfect for a congregation. Rabbi Jana is so inspirational to not only adults but the children as well. I just feel comfortable at B’nai Zion. [M]I came here for my work a number of years ago. I had been raised Orthodox and was rebelling from religion, so I did not seek out a congregation. When my mother passed away I contacted Rabbi Jana, who took care of me and my family to help give my mother an appropriate Jewish funeral. I chose to join the congregation and was happy to be accepted with open arms. I since have renewed my faith and love being a part of B'nai Zion. [P]
Like those of us who are not ‘natives’ my employment brought me to Shreveport. The congregation was welcoming and a particular family group included us in their holiday gatherings both secular and other. That kind of inclusion helps when you know no one in a community. I moved away for work, but maintained my membership at BZ. Let me add that where I moved to was not nearly as welcoming and I felt it was important to maintain the affiliation. Time passed, retirement happened and I returned to this area. I felt like I was picking up where I left off. [K]
I was born here. [B]