אני קושית יפה/I’m a Cute Black Girl Pg 21

Yesterday I was sad about going to the Purim Party on my own. But right now…I am glad I went on my own.

The night started off with the Rabbis and Shul Leaders reading from the Megillat Esther. It was quite enjoyable with all the noise we were making when Haman’s name was read out and the different masks and voices that the Rabbis used while reading, made me all that more interested in the story. Most of it was read in Hebrew, so I didn’t quite understand it all, but yesterday morning I took it upon myself to actually read the Megilat Esther, so I am pretty well rehearsed with the story.

After sitting in Shul for a little over an hour and half, those of us that sat for the reading went to join those that had began the party.

It was rather nice sitting with some of the people and getting to know everyone. I felt comfort knowing that this was my personal group. My adult circle. Here sat a bunch of men and women, 19 – 46 years old, in different stages of their personal life; engaged, married, parents, studying….and for once I felt like I did belong. I was not the girl that was in a terrible car accident, all those years ago, I was just me, the girl discovering her Jewish Identity and creating her new life.

While I was there I recognized someone…and he recognized me. We were never close but as kids we spend many Summer Days together and with mutual friends…on a camp site not too far away. Turns out that a girl that I am converting with is engaged to this guy, that I knew from when we used to be in High School and went to Habonim Dror every December.

It is a small world…and it gets smaller…..

Last night while I was sitting in Shul and listening to the reading of the Megilat Esther, I spotted my High School English Teacher. She was standing with some friends, and by the time we had completed the story, she had left.

But right now I am feeling good about creating my own circle.