I've gotten a little lazy updating this blog already. Not a good sign for a burgeoning blogger but it fits my personality quite well. Recently, I attended what I'd describe as a progressive text study with a rabbinical student and socially minded Jews. Everything went well and no one mentioned my tzitzit until afterward. The exchange between myself and the soon-to-be-Rabbi went something like this:

"Well, I can see by your tzitzit that I can assume certain things about you."

"Oh, really? I wouldn't be so sure."

"Well, maybe I'm wrong but..."

"I guess that depends on what you're assuming, but if it's anything more than that I wear tzitzit, and that possibly this makes me religious, whatever that might mean, well, I wouldn't assume too much."

I guess what really struck me was that here was a progressive Jew, soon to be a Rabbi, that assumed by the tzitzit a whole host of ideas about me as a person.

We didn't have time to go into further discussion, but what I was left wondering is what these assumptions were/are. What do Jews assume about Jews who wear tzitzit, and otherwise do not dress in a remotely Orthodox manner?

It's been a month

It hasn't been as difficult as I thought.

It hasn't been as controversial as I imagined.

It has been challenging at times, but they've been mostly self-imposed challenges.

Serene* hasn't been bothered too much.

Had a good conversation recently with a visiting cousin. She lives in NYC so is used to seeing orthodox Jews but had questions about what the fringes were. It was nice to be able to explain why they are worn with someone who calls themselves a 'cultural' Jew. I have my own love/loathe relationship with cultural Judaism, but I definitely feel as good around cultural Jews than I do religious (loaded term) ones.

I had my first encounter with Jews this past Sunday. I was kind of surprised that NO ONE mentioned the tzitzit. No one even made a comment, or referenced them at all. Then in the past few days I've been to the park, Target and a few other places. Not one single comment. Maybe this experience won't be as interesting as I had originally believed. I even went to a jam session and none of the musicians either noticed or remarked.

Although....

I can't tell for sure if it does or doesn't affect the way other people size me up or prejudge me. I thought I'd at least have an interesting or educational conversation at some point. Well I haven't.

Day 2

Day 2 was fairly uneventful as I didn't leave the house for most of the day. I did decide to mow the lawn on one of the hottest days of the year. Well it was long! Needless to say, I didn't wear a shirt, let alone the tallit katan, while mowing. We did go over to Serene's aunt's house for dinner. Her aunt loved that I was wearing the tzitzit and loved the idea of this blog. That was encouraging! I get the feeling that most of the people that I come into regular contact with will be supportive. It will likely be people I know by being fairly active in the Jewish community that will probably spark the more interesting encounters. That and people who have no idea why some strings are hanging out of my pants.

My first post - Day 1

This is my blog about my personal experience wearing a tallit katan, or tzitzit. I am a Jew, albeit not an orthodox one. I would describe myself as non or post denominational. I involve myself in Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Chassidic, and Renewal communities. If we had a Karaite congregation, I'd probably be there too. I have long be facinated with tzitzit and think that being in a middle sized American city with a mid sized Jewish community will give me a unique experience. While I will mainly write through the lens of my expereince with the fringes, I will also touch upon my personal relationship with Judaism and the world. I hope to talk more about why I made this decision and how it affects my life.

I guess technically it was Day 2 but because I spent the better part of the first day in a synagogue, I'll call today Day 1. I did not wear a kippa today but wore a cap for part of it. Serene* and I went out to brunch and she noticed that the manager had a big gold Chai necklace. I didn't feel like anyone looked at me/us differently. It's my opinion that generally, most people don't notice most things, especially other people all that much. Afterward we went over to my parents house, where they asked why I was still wearing the tzitzit. I found it interesting that "still" seemed to be the operative word, maybe since neither of them mentioned it at all the previous day. Then it was home. Day 1 didn't prove to be all that remarkable. I'm sure when I run into people who know me I'll have something interseting to write about.

*because I'm blogging anonymously, I have changed this individual's name to protect the innocent. "Serene" is my newly consecrated wife so she'll obviously be a major character in the blog, as will our daughter (who I've yet to come up with a clever nick name for).