"Suddenly food was an invitation to appreciate other cultures, connect with people and perhaps spark a transcendent moment of joy, even love. Isn’t there something spiritual about that?"
As a ba'al teshuva you also grew up with minimal formal relationship to being a Jew, I can enter stand and appreciate cultural Judaism. I tell people now especially my Jewish friends that I'm just not very good at being Jewish, because I follow minimal transitions and attempt to be better. Surprisingly it is my non-jewish wife that has helped me the most. She has learned to make all the traditional foods for the holidays so that I am the one hosting my circle of influence.
Loved this! As a culinary Jew, I totally related. Like bagels are a comfort food and making babka felt almost spiritual.
As a ba'al teshuva you also grew up with minimal formal relationship to being a Jew, I can enter stand and appreciate cultural Judaism. I tell people now especially my Jewish friends that I'm just not very good at being Jewish, because I follow minimal transitions and attempt to be better. Surprisingly it is my non-jewish wife that has helped me the most. She has learned to make all the traditional foods for the holidays so that I am the one hosting my circle of influence.
With esteem and with blessings for success
and for good tidings in all.
Benjamin Weinberg