An interesting happening

I went power walking tonight with a friend. Got to try out my new sneakers. No, not the converses. Those are still up for grabs.

As we were walking back I started a discussion. I read MM's blog post. (For those of you who hate clicking links as much as I do,) in short, someone saw religious guys from Monsey on a cruise. They took off their kappatos (religious garb) and head coverings, ate not kosher food, smoked on Friday night, took pictures with non religious girls, all with their long peyos hanging out. Ironic. So I mentioned to my friend how great it is that we are Lubavitch, and we could do all of those things but we don't have to hide it.

(Maybe that is a flaw in Lubavitxh, or religion in general, that kids can feel so free in the wrong things they do. But to me, if you do something wrong at least be honest about it. Don't hide it.)

Ok that was kind of a joke. Yes all those things are wrong. But in my opinion, being that they are so sheltered, their desire to rebel and do bad things is so much stronger. For me, because I watch TV, read newspapers, and basically have a general picture of what the outside world is like, I don't have the urge to go all shikse or OTD. Sheltered being the key word here.

That's not even the main part.

We were almost home, we stopped to chat when a black girl walked up to us and said, 'excuse me, can I ask you something?' Now, being a resident of Brooklyn, here is where one generally says 'Run!'. But I said sure. It wasn't that late, there were people walking by, and I figured, if she asks for money, all I have is my cell phone.

It was like G-d sent her from heaven. Her name was Anet. The first words out of her mouth were, 'you guys are Jewish, right?' To which I responded yes. 'But your hair's not covered. You're not married, right?' Again, yes.

Anet proceeded to tell us, 'wow so you guys are modern Jews.' I winced a bit. She mentioned the 'guys with the long peyos (she motioned by her ears in a curling manner) and how they pass her in the street and if she says shalom they don't respond. She thought it was so nice that we were talking to her. She's Baptist. She tried different religions and didn't like any of them. No, this is not some story where we successfully convert someone. That is not our goal anyway. But she was genuinely impressed by us, and how we were 'modern' Jews, not like the ones who look like robots and don't talk to anyone.

And here's the kicker: she mentioned exactly what we were just talking about. She said, how can you recruit people to your religion if you won't even talk to them? We explained to her how some people have higher standards, how some people are more concerned about learning Torah and don't want to waste time. (In a positive light.)

We told her about the seven Noahide laws. She thought I was talking about the 10 commandments.

She asked me if I ever saw her walking with her dog. She lives just a block away. I politely told her no I don't think I've seen her before.

I was left dazed. And with food for thought.

I don't like going on mivtzoyim. It makes me nervous. Plus, I feel like I'm supposed to be representing something that I don't adequately represent. I feel like I'm straddling the line. On the one hand, to me it seems like frum people judge me, for how I dress, act, speak, and they measure what level of religion I'm on.

On the other hand, non religious, or even non Jewish people for that matter praise me and find it so amazing what and who I am. It's confusing.

I wish I could say I properly represented Jews, and that I influenced someone today. But that, I will never know.