Jewish Growth

By michaelsarko

  • Earliest Experiences: At Home and Preschool

    My earliest memories begin around Age 3. I have Shabbat dinner with my family and already know the prayers. I start attending preschool at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Columbus, Ohio.

  • Understanding Minority Status

    I begin public school at Age 6. I am the only Jewish kid in class and only one of two Jewish kids in the entire school. My peers are overwhelmingly Catholic with no contact with Jews before meeting me. I quickly learn that being Jewish means being a minority, which means occasionally coming into contact with ignorance. Before kindergarten is over, I am informed by my peers that my people killed Jesus and that I'm going to Hell. I learn to believe in neither concept.

  • Jewish Education Begins

    I witness my sister's Bat Mitzvah and enter Hebrew and religious school at my synagogue. I enjoy and excel at Hebrew especially. I begin to conceive of my "temple friends" and my "school friends" as two distinct group with distinct behavior expectations. I am more comfortable with my temple friends but see them less often.

  • Fourth Grade: Mrs. Christman

    In 4th grade, my regular teacher went on maternity leave. Our long-term substitute was an experienced teacher named Joy Christman. She was an exceptionally compassionate educator. She also had a long-ranging and holistic outlook. She was the first person to ever connect my love of writing to the possibility of a career in the field. I learned from her that I could publish books and otherwise write professionally. That helped me see my studies as less abstract and more aspirational.

  • Bar Mitzvah and Jewish Professional Ambitions

    I have my Bar Mitzvah. I decide not to invite any of my school friends, as I don't believe that they will understand, appreciate, or respect the solemnity of the event. I begin to consider becoming a rabbi when I grow up, which is strongly encouraged at home.
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    Adolescent Doubt

    Some family tragedies and continuing bullying at school cause me to question the value of religion in my life. While still being active in my temple youth group, I begin to disconnect from my Jewish identity.
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    Discovering Talmud in College

    I attend Ohio State University. While I am in my undergraduate work, my father pursues a Masters in Jewish Studies at Cleveland College and eventually begins a rabbinical seminary program. He invites me to join him at Talmud study at the Columbus Kollel, as well as study at home. My interest in Jewish learning grows considerably.
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    Jewish Blogging

    Working as a freelance writer, I get a job writing for a general Judaism blog. For content, I do extensive Torah study, Jewish history research, and reporting of Jewish news.

  • First Experiences in Education Work

    Living in Seattle, Washington, I begin tutoring a neighbor who is an immigrant from Ethiopia. He needs help with English composition in pursuit of his degree.

  • Jewish Education Work

    For additional work and income, I accept an opportunity to teach with a small Jewish organization in Seattle.
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    Education Work Expands

    I explore further education work, both in and out of Jewish contexts. I take work with a second Jewish organization to teach Hebrew and religious school. I also spend a year working for a tutoring organization that exclusively serves the children of Chinese immigrants for what is functionally ELL education.

  • Religion and Marriage

    I marry my wife, Kara, at a ceremony that we joke is "around 90% Jewish". We have a chuppah built by our friends. My brother-in-law, a rabbi, officiates. My father, now also a rabbi, gives the Hebrew priestly benediction. My father-in-law, a Southern Baptist minister, gives a Protestant blessing. My household keeps Jewish traditions while continuing to learn about other religions, from different forms of Christianity, to Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism through friends and community resources.

  • Career Transition

    One of my supervisors informs me about the MJED program at Hebrew College. Finding Jewish education work fulfilling, I decide to pursue a full career transition to Jewish education exclusively.
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    Pursuit of MJED, Further Community Involvement

    I matriculate at Hebrew College in the MJEd program. My wife and I become active members at Kol HaNeshamah, a progressive synagogue community in Seattle.