I found out I was Jewish

So my mom would always tell my siblings and I that we were Jewish growing up even though we didn’t practice. I grew up in non denominational Christian homeschool family, so I was a die hard Christian from a young age, however I fell out of the faith around 22 and became agnostic.

Skip to fall 2024, I went back to school using my GI bill I got from the military. I was on campus one day and while walking from class a random rabbi in a heavy Israeli accent yelled at me “young man!” I turned and said “yes?” And he immediately asked me “are you maybe Jewish?”

He was set up in a tent, I walked over an talked to him and I responded “my mom told me her grandma on her mothers side was Jewish (South African Dutch Jewish)” and he responded “then YOU are a Jew, now tell me have you had your bar mitzvah yet?” I told him no and pulled out the Tefillin, I repeated a few prayers and he gave me one right then and there!

Ever since then I’ve attended Shabbat every Friday night at the Jewish club on campus and I love it so much. I really have found a sense of community I have never had before. Something just feels right about it. I’m still learning though.

Anyway, I’m learning all this about myself and exploring it! Just wanted to share where I’m at and say hello!