PERSONAL REFLECTION ON MY JUDAISM

Gloria Goldreich, a novelist and member of the Pelham Jewish Center, was asked to contribute a personal reflection on what Judaism means to her for the book I am Jewish: Personal reflections inspired by the last words of Daniel Pearl, edited by Judea and Ruth Pearl. Since this question is one that the Yamim Noraim (High Holy Days) beg us to ask ourselves, Gloria has agreed to share her reflection with this blog. I hope it will spark contemplation about what being Jewish means to you during this Elul.

--David Schuck


I am Jewish because I was born into a tradition that engages my mind and delights my heart. My religion, my blessed sense of peoplehood, has added a wondrous dimension to my life and to my work as a writer. It has endowed me with a love of Zion, a deep and enduring involvement in the life of the State of Israel, and the beautiful and lilting language of that state. It has gifted me with the ability to dream in two languages and to take those bilingual dreams and translate them into stories that are enmeshed in the courageous and tragic history of my people. It has endowed me with a legacy to offer my children and grandchildren, a legacy of ethics and morality, of custom and celebration, of song and dance and prayer. I am Jewish because I have found an intellectual and spiritual home in my faith, and never, ever, would I want to wander from that safe yet challenging refuge.

--Gloria Goldreich

Gloria Goldreich is a novelist who won the National Jewish Book award for her work Leah's Journey. Her last published work was Dinner with Anna Karenina published in 2006. Gloria is a member of the Pelham Jewish Center.