Jews/non jews/converts

Raisin

Thu, Jun 29 2006, 7:12 pm

Ruchel, if you are driving to paris to go to resturants, most shuls have shiurim and programmes during the week that you could go to. Why don't you find a nice Shul where they have shiurim on a weekday, and go there. Try different ones till you find a shul you are comfortable with, and a Rabbi that you respect. (and your husband respects)

I'm sure you would enjoy meeting people who are similar to you on a religious level. It is hard being the "frum" person in town - but you live right next to paris where there must be tens of thousands of frum people of all different levels. And the plus side - you will learn more about Yiddishkiet. (I'm sure no one will be forcing you to start keeping chalav yisrael etc!)

On a side note...I'm wondering if it is hard for you to relate to the other frum people in France because they are mostly sefardi? I know I was just talking to a french friend who is moving to London. Her father is portugese sefardi and his family lived in France for many generations, and her mother is a french gioress. She said she just doesn't fit in in Paris, her background is too different.

happy2beme

Fri, Jun 30 2006, 10:30 am

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We should never feel fully comfortable with where we're holding; as I said, a Jew should always be striving higher. It's not a matter of changing your identity, it's just aiming for something bigger and better.

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ruchel wrote: I'm already not fully comfortable with being "the only weirdo who does X or Y". I already find some things very annoying. But globally yes I'm fine with my level, and sorry but it is important to me. I can't think of something more I could do without being totally uncomfortable. But if you have ideas...

u can strive higher without people saying ur a weirdo!!

how about when u daven to try to have more kavana or try not to use bad language nor speak lashon harah about others. there's tons of things u can strive higher with - without others knowing what you do & calling u a weirdo.

personally, no I'm not happy where I am.
I know I have to work on my lashon harah & my kavanah during davening & controlling my emotions...
embarrassed

yes, it's embarassing to say, but I'm only human & have bad characteristics. I have to work on myself & I would love to be on a higher level in the near future.
(yes, I know it's lashon harah to say bad stuff about myself, but I'm hoping it will help)

mimsy7420

Fri, Jun 30 2006, 10:52 am

happy2beme wrote:

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yes, it's embarassing to say, but I'm only human & have bad characteristics. I have to work on myself & I would love to be on a higher level in the near future.

ditto

Ruchel

Fri, Jun 30 2006, 11:09 am

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Ruchel, if you are driving to paris to go to resturants, most shuls have shiurim and programmes during the week that you could go to.

true, I’ll see what I can do about that.

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I'm sure you would enjoy meeting people who are similar to you on a religious level. It is hard being the "frum" person in town

Ditto

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but you live right next to paris where there must be tens of thousands of frum people of all different levels.

True, although it’s difficult to find people between very Orthodox and MO very liberal (that’s why I found my husband in another country).

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On a side note...I'm wondering if it is hard for you to relate to the other frum people in France because they are mostly sefardi?

Well, the Ashk. are generally either traditional or less, or extremely frum. And it’s true that the North African rite and mentality is something totally foreign to me...

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u can strive higher without people saying ur a weirdo!!

Only if they don’t notice.

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how about when u daven to try to have more kavana or try not to use bad language nor speak lashon harah about others. there's tons of things u can strive higher with - without others knowing what you do & calling u a weirdo.

That’s a good idea, thanks!!!

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controlling my emotions...

I need that too, although I didn’t see it as a religious thing.

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(yes, I know it's lashon harah to say bad stuff about myself, but I'm hoping it will help)

I’m sure it will, these are good ideas

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ruchel, lets make this interesting!
if u go to an ultra-orthodox gathering in paris during the week, every time I see ur posts on Imamother I'll have to post for a week:
"I LOVE YOU, RUCHEL :-* "

but if u don't, u'll have to post the same for me

do u take upon the dare?

added bonus, u can tell us about the experience!!

LOOOOOOOL
Honestly, no problem, I’ll look for one. My fav great aunt is ultra orthodox, I’ve spent days and days with her, I used to go to ultra O scouts, I have a great relationship with my chassidic cousins from Bnei Brak. I’m also not shy and although I would definitely feel different I’m very used to that feeling.
Can I count Lubavich as ultra Orthodox? I know that here they are definitely considered so.

mumsy23

Fri, Jun 30 2006, 11:14 am

only1 wrote:

happy2beme wrote:

Quote:

yes, it's embarassing to say, but I'm only human & have bad characteristics. I have to work on myself & I would love to be on a higher level in the near future.

ditto

me three

I wonder if there is some kind of "support group" we can start to help ourselves with "growing in yiddishkeit". Sort of like "weight loss buddies" but with yiddishkeit. I think it would really help me....

willow

Fri, Jun 30 2006, 11:58 am

happy2beme wrote:

do u take upon the dare? Very Happy

added bonus, u can tell us about the experience!!

Lol very cute. But like mumsy23 said I do think that having a support buddy for growing spiritually is a great idea