Dear Torah Mates,

I want to thank you and Oorah Torah Mates for all the help you are giving me.  My parents were both Jewish but we did not light candles or follow the Jewish Holidays.  As I grew older, I felt the need to attend Jewish services and learn about my religion.  Unfortunately, since I missed out on so much growing up, it was difficult for me to connect in a way I would have liked to.  Through the years, I continued to attend services and eventually ended up at Chabad Lubavitch in Wilmington Delaware with Rabbi Vogel.  Knowing my situation he accepted me and I became a member of his congregation.   I had several meals with him and his family and it made me want to know more and more about my religion.  It never seemed to work out where I could spend enough time with him to learn the way I wanted to.

Several months ago, I happened to end up on your website and left my name and contact information.  I very quickly received a call from you asking a lot of questions and agreeing to help me learn about really being Jewish.  I know so little about the Holidays and am so glad for the opportunity you have given me. 

Very quickly you matched me with Penina who is just wonderful.  She is patient and does not laugh when I ask dumb questions.  She is so supportive and so eager to teach me everything she possibly can.  She has actually taught me some of the Jewish Aleph-Bet and teaching me the proper pronunciation.  I look forward to her calls every Monday evening and am sure I will find the answers to everything I always wanted to know about being Jewish.

We are also going through the books you sent me, Gateway to Judaism and The Spirit of the Maggid.  I read a chapter and when we talk, we go over it.   It is so wonderful to have a group like yours to work with me.  I feel you and Penina really care about me and really want to help me.  Thank you so much for this. 

I am a School Teacher, Insurance Broker, Notary Public and Secret Shopper. 

A highlight of my life was 9 years ago meeting Roman & Alexandra (Sasha) Zaretsky who are currently the Israeli National Ice Dancing Champions.  They represent Israel all over the world and were in the past Olympics in Italy.  They will be in the next ones in Canada.  They refer to me as their "American Mother" and I am just so proud of them.  I have seen the suffering and hard work they went through to get where they are today and they are just the joy of my life.

Recently, I was named the State of Delaware coordinator for Organizing for America (Obama).
I am having a Walk for Healthcare Reform on Saturday and hoping to have a lot of the top State dignitaries walk with my group. 

I have a full life as you can see, but really needed the connection to my Judaism.  Now, thanks to you, Penina and your group, I am getting this.  The warmth and caring I am being shown is just fantastic and I wish everyone could come in contact with you.  They will come out better people if they do.

Again, thank you so much and I hope me and the kids can meet with you and Penina in person soon.

Lois Goldberg-Parker