Michelle was a young, single mom who had just started dating Jeff, a newcomer to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He asked her where they could go to services, but she was at a loss, having not attended services in nearly a decade. A friend guided her to a rabbi running services at the Jewish day school. Nervous about going to an unknown service, Michelle was delighted by the warmth and enthusiasm with which she was welcomed. She was touched by the sincerity of the people leading the service, and both she and Jeff decided to become more involved. Not long thereafter, they were invited by Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim to join a Shabbat Beginners Service, at which they became regulars. One year later, Rabbi Oppenheim officiated at their wedding. *
*Michelle’s story, told in her own words, can be found in NJOP’s High Holiday Bereshith Newsletter.