How is Jewish faith reawakened, and how is the non-Jewish marriage partner's spirit kindled, and how is a child provided with a sense of belonging? It is accomplished through meaningful non-threatening experiences which interact with spiritually thinking and receptive individuals.

One particular program which has had a great impact on PATHWAYS participants, year after year, is a visit to the sanctuary at Temple Bnai Or, Morristown, NJ with Rabbi Donald Rossoff. After introducing the sanctuary, pointing out and explaining the significance of religious objects, i.e., Ner Tamind, Bimah, Torah, Ark, Menorah, etc., Rabbi Rossoff asks the children to sit in a line. The Torah has already been taken out, undressed, and its importance to Jewish life explained. Then to the amazement of the parents looking on, the Rabbi enfolds the Torah on the little laps assembled. Their knees straighten and as if little robots, their arms all go up in unison, so as not to touch with their hands this document filled with Jewish life, so carefully prepared by a Scribe in a prescribed fashion as old as the PEOPLE themselves.

When asked at the end of the year to evaluate programs that were memorable and had great impact on their lives, this is always mentioned. New beginnings--new paths are chosen as a result of PATHWAYS moments and memories like this one.

Lynne Wolfe
United Jewish Federation of MetroWest, New Jersey
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