Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Stigma of the ages

I will report a very difficult situation that I recently experienced.   As noted in this dialogue, I am not well recieved by the local synagogue now after being a partipant for about 3 years.   I was never a detriment that I knew to the reform congregation that I enjoyed when I was younger. In fact, I was the youth groups president, served on the Temple's Board and even held an office at our regional youth groups level.  I had several friendships and enjoyed the Jewish experience that I shared with many.   I never considered that one day I may be asked to leave a place of worship or that I may feel stigmatized by those I wish very well to be friends with in life.  I was aggreived and wrote to a rabbi that I had never met in a location I am far from.  He wrote back to me backing the decision of the local synagogue and told me that "if you follow your physicians recommendations and take your medications, things might get better for you.".  This was offensive, threatening and pompous.  This was conveyed to me by one I have never met nor have I exchanged a word of malice, threats or condescention.

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