Vampire Weekend's Surprising Jewish Stories
6 min read
My interest in science initially fueled my skepticism towards religion. But as I matured and experienced challenges in life, I came to understand the impact of spirituality on mental health.
I was born with an innate sense of skepticism. I questioned everything and everyone around me, always thirsting for knowledge and understanding. Reflecting on my childhood, I realize how patient my parents were, answering my endless questions without the aid of Google or AI. One year, they gifted me a complete encyclopedia set, which felt like heaven. Among many things, I also found myself questioning our family's religious beliefs and traditions.
Raised in a reformed Jewish household, I attended a Jewish day school where I frustrated my Judaic studies teachers with inquiries like: "If God created the world, who created God? Why do we have so many religions if Judaism is the right one? If I eat bread on Passover, will I not get into heaven?"
Despite my deep-seated skepticism, I continued to observe traditions with my family out of respect for our ancestors and relatives.
My interest in science and the study of the brain initially fueled my skepticism towards religion. However, as I matured and experienced the significant losses of my beloved grandparents, aunt, and a dear friend, I began to appreciate religion as a source of support and community that steps up when you need them the most. While studying psychology, I came to understand the impact of religion and spirituality on mental health. I recognized its importance to our well-being and yearned for that sense of community and belief in something greater than myself, especially in the face of death, which took the ones I loved, both young and old.
Over time, I realized that science and religion ultimately seek answers to life's big questions: How was the universe created? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life?
Over time, I realized that science and religion ultimately seek answers to life's big questions: How was the universe created? Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? This realization sparked a curiosity that led me to explore various religions, scientific studies on spirituality, and even research on past lives when I contemplated starting a family. I sought a deeper understanding of life before bringing children into the world. I also found it intriguing that we bother to ask these questions at all. I believe the very act of questioning suggests there's more to existence than just the material world.
When my parents underwent what some might describe as a bitter divorce, I turned to God for strength through meditation and prayer. In seeking guidance, I reasoned that praying could do no harm if there was no God. To my surprise, I developed a personal relationship with God, which helped me mature and grow through the experience of my parents' divorce, including setting necessary boundaries. Over time, my fears subsided and I felt guided towards the right path. Despite the dramatic changes in my family life, I knew I would be just fine.
As I began following influential rabbis and even collaborated on a book with a Chabad rabbi, I recognized the limitations of my skepticism and the importance of remaining open to knowledge and faith.
Numerous studies have suggested that becoming a person of faith is often a transformative experience that can lead to profound changes in a person's life. Researchers have found that many individuals turn to faith during times of crisis or significant stress, seeking comfort in the belief of a higher power. This process is where life's challenges push people to look for a deeper meaning or a light of hope. Moreover, social scientists have observed that the sense of community and belonging that comes with being part of a faith-based group provides emotional security and a support system that can be incredibly compelling. Psychological research shows that faith can provide a robust framework for identity and personal growth, giving people a narrative structure to understand their experiences and actions.
My upbringing as a Jew had influenced me more than I had ever realized.
This journey led me back to my roots in Judaism but with a fresh perspective. I realized how science and religion intersect in many ways. As I trained to become a family therapist, I found that many of the principles of Judaism mirrored what I was learning. My upbringing as a Jew had influenced me more than I had ever realized.
Science and religion, often seen as disparate entities, intersect in their embodiment of hope, the pursuit of truth, and the contemplation of existence. The psychological principles that form the cornerstone of family therapy resonate with Judaic teachings on communication, respect, and understanding. The Jewish emphasis on the importance of family and communal support mirrors therapeutic strategies that strengthen familial bonds and promote collective well-being, demonstrating an underlying synergy between spiritual wisdom and psychological practice.
Today, I believe that the challenges I faced a but allowed me to understand the teachings of the Torah and Judaism on a profound level. I appreciate the wisdom within Judaism as a path to a more fulfilling life and recognize that science and religion can coexist harmoniously. In particular, I see parallels between family therapy and Jewish values.
Alongside my professional journey, I also love participating in traditions my family has upheld for hundreds of years. These time-honored practices serve as a living bridge to my ancestors, grounding me in continuity and identity. Whether lighting the Shabbat candles, attending a Passover Seder, or baking challah, each ritual is a thread in the fabric of history that connects me to generations past. These moments of reflection and celebration reinforce the values instilled in me and offer a sanctuary of familiarity and solace in life's ever-changing landscape.
My husband and I have enrolled our daughters in a Jewish day school, and it fills me with immense joy to see them not only learning about Jewish traditions but also absorbing the values and principles that I believe will guide them to become the best versions of themselves. Contrary to me, they are not skeptics; they embrace participation in Jewish holidays and Shabbat with eagerness, which has, in turn, inspired me to uphold these traditions. In maintaining these traditions, I see how they strengthen our ties to family and community, an aspect that is crucial for good mental health.
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Great article!