Squeaking in one more post before the weekend begins...

I'm very excited. Marc and I are checking out a Synagogue in 2 weeks. They have a group for young married couples and we have been invited to Shabbat Dinner. Marc prefers the Conservative flavor of Judaism where I prefer the more egalitarian Reform flavor. This Synagogue sounds like it has both flavors under one roof (a spiritual chocolate & vanilla if you will). They follow the traditional Conservative service but they have a woman Chazzan or Cantor. It's been a long time since I've had a desire to be in synagogue. Many years ago, I found a synagogue that touched my heart. I felt welcomed and accepted. My parents became very active, my sister went to school and celebrated her Bat Mitzvah there. Then, our little community was thrust into the news. Our Rabbi was accused (and ultimately convicted) of murdering his wife. It also came to light that he had numerous affairs. I, like most people I knew at the time, put the clergy on a pedestal. They were beyond reproach. My spiritual world took a major hurting during that time that I don't feel that I've fully recovered from. I went on to have an adult Bat Mitzvah a few years after this happened at the same synagogue. Then, the remaining Rabbi left and in his place were people that I couldn't relate to. People who would ignore me just because they didn't know my name (after being introduced numerous times). So I've just drifted. Going to that synagogue on High Holidays with my parents or going with Marc's family to his family's synagogue. My only desire was to get out as quickly as possible and that just made me sad. So, while going through our home study process, our lovely social worker, S, was telling us how much she loves her synagogue and how she would love for us to come and see it. She extended the invitation and we are taking her up on it. I hope it's someplace that both Marc and I, together, will feel comfortable enough to call home. Not only for us but for Dylan. I know that they have experience with adoptive children because our social worker has an adopted child.