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Growing the IJC


On January 19th, the rabbis of Kerem Beth Din, based in Paris (Marc Neiger, Josué Ferreira, and Nathan Alfred) convened at our synagogue in Brussels to welcome nine adults and four children into the tribe. For IJC: Aeiko Heynderickx (Avichai), Monica Lombana (Mira), Timon Nuernberger (Elchanan), Odile Sanglier (Leah), Odile and Itay’s daughters Maya and Yael Ron), Pierre T. (David) and Hannah Delson (Chanah) were warmly welcomed into the people of Israel, together with two adults from Luxembourg and one adult with two children from Beth Hillel. It was a joyous if exhausting day, for both the rabbis and the candidates. Peter D and Sarah S did their best to calm the candidates’ nerves with their supporting presence. 

 

The following day, IJC’s new Jews travelled north to the synagogue in Tilburg in the Netherlands to immerse in the mikveh and thereby complete their conversion process. The community of LJG Brabant, where I also serve as rabbi, welcomed us with their usual hospitality and facilitated the entire process. As a highlight to the day, Itay Ron, who was there to support his wife Odile and their two young daughters, was so impressed and inspired by the moment that he decided to immerse in the mikveh himself for the first time in his life. Everyone agreed that this was a special and transformative experience.

 

Progressive Jews have used the mikveh for conversion purposes for a long time, but in recent years it has taken on new meaning, marking moments of transition in people’s lives. Some immerse as they emerge from a period of mourning or illness, others in preparation for an important moment such as a wedding or a graduation ceremony or to mark another milestone in their lives. The possibilities are open and endless.

 

In the coming months, IJC will offer the opportunity to travel to Tilburg as a group and immerse in the mikveh. Men and women, adults and (accompanied) children are all welcome. We will begin by inviting members to register their interest, then try to pin a date. The mikveh team in Tilburg are ready to welcome us.


Rabbi Brian

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Email: info@ijc.be

IJC - International Jewish Center, Rue des Primeurs 80, 1190 Brussels, Belgium

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