I spoke briefly with Suzette A., age 57, regarding her religious background, her new-found fascination for the Jewish race, and the ways in which she feels the Jewish religion, particularly Messianic Judaism, meshes with her own Christianity…

"I wear the Star of David. I have a license plate on my car that reads, 'Yeshua' [the Hebrew word for 'Jesus']. I speak what little Hebrew I know. I do it because I enjoy it, and I believe it. I don't eat Kosher; that's one thing I don't do…but I understand why it's a belief and a tradition. See, I believe that Jewish people were the 'First Christians'. Yeshua, who I believe to be the Messiah, was Jewish. All of his disciples were Jewish. Jews are God's chosen people. Now days, many Christians omit Judaism from Christianity. They forget that Christianity stems from Judaism-it's our heritage, where our religion came from. I do wish I was Jewish because Jews are God's chosen people, but as a Christian, believing that Yeshua is our savior, I feel that we are all grafted into the olive tree-that even though I am a Gentile, I am an adopted child of God. I am a Jew in that respect. I [am so fanatical] because I am fascinated with the Jewish religion and possess this deep love and admiration for the Jewish people. I love partaking in these traditions and holidays because Yeshua observed and took part in them, also. I hope to someday travel to Israel and experience the homeland…"

"I became a born-again Christian at either the age of 7 or 8 at a local, summer Bible club. I remember the teacher putting up pictures of multi-colored hearts, representing the steps of salvation on this huge, blue felt board…but I always believed in God. My mom always talked about God and Jesus, and my great-grandmother-we called her Mamaw-believed in God and told me about him and took me to church with her on Sundays. My parents divorced when I was 9. My mother left [my brother, my sister, and I] with my father who then began to get involved within the Seventh Day Adventist Church. I believe his sister was [Seventh Day Adventist], so she first introduced it to him. I always questioned that religion. It is very strict, and it follows the teachings of Ellen G. White, a prophetess, more than the actual Bible. If a question was raised about religion, Ellen G. White's words were sought first. Once I left home at 18, I didn't attend church again until the age of 24. I've been associated with all different denominations, but I now attend a non-denominational church, [Highland Park Church], which I enjoy greatly. It's focused on in-depth analysis of the Bible and its teachings; it's very educational and enlightening…"

"Highland Park Church is very open to the Old Testament and Jewish tradition. I first started to learn from about Messianic Judaism within this congregation. [HPC] had Messianic Jews come and speak to the people and had them lead worship with Jewish song and dance, accompanied by the tabar and tambourines. That's what really intrigued me! I love worshipping with music, and it was done so beautifully and eloquently. I love Jewish music; it's all I listen to. Our church had a 'Torah Fest' in which we discussed the Old Testament and Hebrew terms. We threw a Seder dinner. I also attended the Feast of the Tabernacle last year. It all really stared to interest me. Besides my tie to the church, I worked with a Messianic Jew, and we became great friends. I now attend Ahavat Yeshua, [a Messianic Jewish Temple], in Indianapolis on Friday evenings with Desi, [friend and co-worker]…"

"Even if I lived in a big city with thousands of Jewish individuals surrounding me, I believe that I would still feel the same way. It's my belief. It's my passion. And I believe it to be the only truth. I mean maybe I am Jewish - somewhere down the line. [Laughs] I haven't ever done my genealogy. Isn't 'Leonard' [her maiden name] Jewish?"

Katie Albright

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