Life in Yad Binyamin after 9 months
After I got married to my beloved Sara a little more than 9 month ago, I moved to her community, Yad Binyamin. In the beginning it was a bit hard. I didn´t really feel welcomed by people in her community but things have changed in the past few months. I had a long talk with the Rav in her community as well as with the gabbay. I really explained how I felt and they have made an effort to let people know the importance of greeting people.
The first time I really felt that people cared about me was during the High Holidays (Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur). I decided not to pray in Sara´s shul, since for me the services are too long and it is not my nusach at all. During the year I pray nusach Chabad, but during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur I have decided to pray nusach Sfard.
Plenty of people asked Sara where I was and why I didn´t pray in her community. Suddenly I felt that people actually notice that I am not around and that is a good feeling. During the last month or so people have become more friendly in her community and I go there every Shabbos for services. If I feel that I am ready to become a member yet, is a good question. I am still looking for the community to make more of an effort to get to know me and maybe even invite me over for a cup of coffee, or why not a beer?
Apart from that, life is great in Yad Binyamin. I am very happy and in love with Sara and I have a life that I never could dream about. Thank God I also have really good contact with her children and we get along better than I could ever dream about, I really feel a part of the family with all of them. Many of us have probably heard horror stories where children are involved in 2nd marriages, but thank God, God really loves me, and I have been very blessed with my new family. Of course, this doesn’t take away from the fact that I have my own kids, who I love more than anything, but it is a nice feeling to be so welcomed.
So I wish all of you a good day and may we go from strength to strength.