Dear Horizons and Mr. Thomas and Yehuda Dovid Kaplan,
I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart and from the depths of my new Jewish soul for all of that you have made possible through the Partners for the Eternal Jewish Family and the Lillian Jean Kaplan Jewish Pride through Education Program that you have established. Without the amazing efforts of Rav Tropper and this program, my recent conversion and, G-d willing, upcoming marriage, would not have been possible. After many years of difficulty in trying to have a halachic conversion, my wife and I finally feel a sense of unity with the Jewish people. It is our hope that we will be able to have more children, b’ezras Hashem, andwill be able to contribute to keeping Torah Judaism strong and growing.
Here is a little of my story: I was brought up in a slightly practicing Christian home. After the death of my father when I was 15, I spent many years searching for meaning among the various religions and philosophies of the world. When I discovered Judaism, I finally started to find the answers to my questions and to find meaning in my life. I went through a Conservative conversion almost 6 years ago and as I learned more and more about Judaism, I found that there was a whole dimension of meaning and holiness that I was missing and in which I was not able to participate fully. My wife and I happened to move to a neighborhood with many observant Jews and after spending time at my neighbors’ Shabbos tables, attending shiurim in the area and getting to know many wonderful people in the community, we knew that it was time to take the next step. We were also battling fertility problems for many years, but we finally, with G-d’s help, were able to have a beautiful baby boy. There were many obstacles that we had to overcome for the conversion. Some were especially difficult for a number of reasons including some health problems with my wife and baby. Rav Tropper, through his persistence and tireless efforts, was able to create a solution that was halachically acceptable and one that worked for my family.
I feel honored and extremely grateful to have been able to participate in the program. I hope that many more people will be encouraged to take the next step. I would be more than happy to talk to anyone about the program and about their situation to provide encouragement and support. I am extremely moved that I can help honor the memory of your mother and grandmother Lillian Jean Kaplan with my mitzvos and Torah learning.
Many, many thanks,