Connection over Kiruv
I asked a girl for directions today, and we ended up chatting through the rest of our shared ten minute walk from the train station.
I felt happy. Not because I saved a soul, not because I helped a secular Jew see the light, but because I made a friend.
Just like Yeshivish Harry says perfectly in his post on being friends with secular Jews, relating to other Jews shouldn't be all about Kiruv, it should be about conection, and caring.
Hopefully, the next time that my ten-minute-friend thinks of Chareidim, she won't think of the men throwing stones in the Meah Shearim, but of a girl who's a lot like her inside, even if she is dressed a bit differently.
And you know what, even if that doesn't happen, even if our conversation changes nothing about the way she views religious Jews, it doesn't matter. Because for a few minutes, two Jewish girls were friends. And I bet that when we were smiling, God was too.
I felt happy. Not because I saved a soul, not because I helped a secular Jew see the light, but because I made a friend.
Just like Yeshivish Harry says perfectly in his post on being friends with secular Jews, relating to other Jews shouldn't be all about Kiruv, it should be about conection, and caring.
Hopefully, the next time that my ten-minute-friend thinks of Chareidim, she won't think of the men throwing stones in the Meah Shearim, but of a girl who's a lot like her inside, even if she is dressed a bit differently.
And you know what, even if that doesn't happen, even if our conversation changes nothing about the way she views religious Jews, it doesn't matter. Because for a few minutes, two Jewish girls were friends. And I bet that when we were smiling, God was too.
this needs to be posted in big letters all over every jewish community
ReplyDeleteMAC
Great post! Made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post :-). You are so right.
ReplyDeleteyou don't post often enough. yeah that's selfish of me, but I really enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Huggggggg :)
ReplyDeleteso perfect for the nine days!
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous 5:31--please please please post more often!
ReplyDeletein the kiruv-based world we live in now, it seems that everyone is an opportunity to help them see the light, but sometimes the best is to let them see the light emanating from you to help bring them home. unfortunately its too common that not frum jews think that we are against them or that we harbor ill feelings towards them. it is up to the frum community to attempt to bridge the gap that has been created and continues to grow wider and wider and wider.
ReplyDeleteFound my way here via Life in Israel
ReplyDeleteWe have a bunch of secular friends, and in interactions with them we generally try to be as pleasant as we can. I am not trying to get them to change their way of life, just know that Dati folk can be nice normal people.
wow i love it i wish everyone thought this way
ReplyDeletewaiting very impatiently for the next installment of your story!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing she's getting engaged and married, and has been too busy to blog...?
ReplyDeleteYou are sorely missed. Come back soon!
ReplyDeleteFNF, where did you go?
ReplyDeleteit is so important to help to people to lehithazek. just give them a start.
ReplyDelete