Serge sought to practice Judaism authentically -- strictly observing the Sabbath, celebrating all the Jewish holidays -- and doing so by following the letter of the law. But how to do that, he wondered, without instruction. Then he thought, what better source than the Torah, since all the Jewish laws come from the holy Old Testament. So, in his group's first celebration of Passover they followed guidelines in Exodus and Deuteronomy and actually slew a lamb, as was practiced in the Temple in Jerusalem prior to its destruction by the Romans in 70 C.E. But he would soon learn about contemporary Jewish practices and services.
Aided by the Internet's worldwide access he eagerly sought contact with other Jews for mentoring and guidance on Jewish practices. Much to his frustration, initial efforts to contact rabbis and Jewish organizations were unsuccessful. Virtually none responded. Looking back, he thinks that happened because his inquiries began by identifying himself and his group as Pentecostal converts. The Jews he was reaching out to probably assumed that he was a Messianic Jew who embraced Judaism and Jesus as Messiah. But fortunately, Kulanu was intrigued by Serge's query and responded. Harriet Bograd, President of Kulanu, was impressed by Serge's dedicated pursuit of Judaism. Kulanu became his lifeline to the wide world of Judaism.
To give Serge easier access to Jewish communities in the U.S., Kulanu arranged for Serge's formal conversion to Judaism. The ceremony was conducted in New York City by three rabbis. Circumcision, a requirement for Jewish males to fulfill the "covenant," was not a problem. Serge had been circumcised, since it is a common practice among all faiths in Cameroon.
Serge sees growing interest in Judaism in his community and expects more to join his congregation. Gerald and Bonita Sussman firmly believe that Serge's growing erudition, infectious sincerity and sense of mission will make him an important voice of Judaism in the coming decades.
What are Serge's plans for the future? His primary dream is to intensify his Jewish studies and be ordained as a rabbi. Then, he longs to build a small synagogue and acquire an authentic Torah scroll. Beth Yeshourun currently holds services in the homes of members.
Mark Twain quipped, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated," after he heard that the New York Journal had published his obituary. Throughout the millennia, Judaism has encountered numerous declarations of its imminent demise. There were persuasive reasons to jump to that conclusion: the Babylonian conquest and enslavement, enslavement in Egypt, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans along with slaughter, enslavement and banishment, the Nazi genocide, and more have all been proven to be greatly exaggerated forecasts of the end of Judaism. Renewal and revitalization have always resounded -- sometimes in unforeseen ways.
Is Serge Etele and Congregation Beth Yeshourun the vanguard of a new and surprising revitalization of Judaism out of Africa?
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