I've found myself in several new situations lately and that involves meeting new people.  Of course, the people I come across have no idea when they first meet me I am Jewish and quite possibly could be the first Jewish person they have ever met.  But I also find a hesitation in letting folks know when they start asking about where I go on some Friday nights or Saturdays.  It's not that I am ashamed of being Jewish but it's more about just not wanting to get into that whole discussion that usually starts with "Oh".  And then if the conversation extends it can lead to the fact that I am a Jew by Choice.  And then there goes the line of dominos and the response is "Really".  Sometimes I just don't want to go into that whole discussion especially if it's with someone who is devout in their own faith because that conversation can take a bad turn if not handled carefully. 

Whereas, most folks really don't ask a lot of questions there are those that want to debate and then ask how does your family feel.  Those dominos just turned into a snowball effect.  And here we go - LOL! 

Truth is, my family doesn't quite grasp my decisions but then they never have with anything I've ever done.  Outside of a couple of nieces when they were younger none of my family has ever stepped into a synagogue.  While my friends on the other hand, have asked and attended a few services with me always to say they enjoyed it and were not offended in any way and to say how welcoming everyone was and nobody questioning that they weren't Jewish.  See, we don't look to convert others into the faith of Judaism.  That is something between one's self and G-d. 

So for me, the journey continues and my hope is to surround myself with positive folks and to embrace everyone's differences and beliefs as I want them to embrace mine!