A couple of weeks ago, we began our Sunday morning Introduction to Judaism class. It is comprised mostly of men and women considering converting to Judaism, along with fiances where applicable, as well as members of the congregation looking to learn more about the basics of their faith.

It's my custom each semester to spend a few minutes with the class at their opening session, to welcome them to Emanu El and share some thoughts with them about the spiritual journey of those who are considering conversion. As I looked around the room, I saw a couple of familiar faces and said a brief hello. Then, as I finished my remarks and was about to leave, I looked to my left and saw a young man who grew up at Emanu El but whom I haven't seen in several years.

I looked at him knowingly and said, "How are you? Where have you been? I bet I haven't seen you in ten years. "

He smiled back at me and replied simply, "But I'm
back now!"

Needless to say, I warmed at his answer. Life is a spiritual journey for all of us, not just those who have come to our door from other religions or from no religion. At some points in our lives, that journey may take us away from home, at other points toward home. I think what this young man was basically saying to me was, "I've been away from home for a while, but it's now time for me to come back."

This going and coming is particularly true of young people once they leave home. There are many studies of young people who go off to college and lead lives totally apart from family and community, as they build the foundation for their adulthood. It is not uncommon for them as they begin to mature and find someone to share life with to return to their roots. In this young man's case, it's here in Houston in his home congregation.

It struck me after I left that morning that for many of the people in the class, it was a coming home for them too; it just didn't happen to be in the congregation they were raised in, since they live here rather than where they were raised.

It is certainly not uncommon for me to speak with concerned parents whose children are in the "wandering" phase of their spiritual life. While there are no guarantees what direction they will wind up going in, I try to reassure them that with time the odds are their children will come home to Judaism - that this is as much a part of their independent self-discovery as every other search.

Admittedly, though I believe my advice, I find myself sometimes skeptical. But then I walk into the Intro to Judaism class, and a young person I haven't seen in years smiles back at me and says, "But I'm back now." And oh, how welcome he is!