Welcome to FridayLight

My story might be a bit different than most. I was born (out of wedlock) to a Russian/Polish Jewish woman and an African-American man in the early 1950’s. I was given away at birth beause she planned to return to her Orthodox Jewish family and could not bring a “black” child with her. (Or so she felt). She never did go back but stayed and married the man. I, however, remained with another biracial couple who raised me.

My adopted mother was also white- but not Jewish. I was baptised and confirmed as a Lutheran. It would be some years before I realized what being Jewish meant.

I now embrace my Jewishness wholeheartedly although I have never yet been in a synagogue. The candlelighting has become a very special ceremony for me, however.

I was exposed to it almost by happenstance. I met an obvious Jewish Hassidic(?) man in dark clothing and wearing a beard in a supermarket parking lot. We struck up a conversation and when he discovered my mother was Jewish he informed me that I was a Jew- without doubt.

Going into the trunk of his car, he gave me some literature about lighting the candle(s) and why I should be doing it.

This whole experience has made me feel part of something special everytime I light my candle, even if that is all I know to do at this point.

Thank you for having such a wonderful website!
Shalom,
Linda in Detroit