Who’s your best friend? A classmate, a friend from a sports team, or even a stuffed animal? Well, mine is my grandpa, Howard Bengelsdorf. We spend a lot of time together talking, eating, shooting hoops, and watching 1980’s movies. But, what I found out about him is his unique Jewish upbringing. He was raised in a Jewish neighborhood in Albany Park. He kept kosher in his home and attended Hebrew school 5 days a week. HE DIDN’T EVEN TRY PIZZA UNTIL HE WAS 21! Despite many differences in how he was raised, my grandpa and I share similarities in our way of living a Conservative Jewish life.
Both of our Jewish educations play a big role in shaping our religious perspective. During Hebrew school, we both learned how important it is to help those less fortunate, especially in the Jewish community. We both do that by collecting Tzedakah and donations to support Israel. Papa Howie raised money for his synagogue by hosting a movie at the temple, and my class raised tzedakah for planting trees in Israel. We both do this because we share an interest in saving lives in Israel and making people feel welcome and hopeful after all of the tragedy.
We are both active in the synagogue and attend services for high holidays and Shabbat. We will do anything to help and expand our love for Judaism.
One more example is my grandpa was bar mitzvah’d at 13 and I’m preparing for mine in October 2026. But my grandpa didn’t stop there! He kept learning after his bar mitzvah and I plan on continuing my learning through Hebrew High, too.
In addition, we both value our cultural traditions and foundations.
Something that we share in common is celebrating holidays with family. My grandpa celebrated high holidays including Passover with his aunts, uncles, and cousins. I also celebrate the high holidays with my family from my mom’s side and my dad’s. We do this because we love our family and we will give and share joy with each other and embrace it while it lasts. This will make it for the better for both of us.
Our look to the Jewish law, in accordance with how our parents/grandparents want us to agree, is the same, too. If we agree or follow the ways for living this life, it will make people respect and be friends with you. That will help you not be alone in the future and it will help make you a better person. That relates to the topic of sharing traditions.
Even though the rules and beliefs of my grandpa and his family are a little different than mine, we can relate to some of the same goals and ways that impact our Conservative Jewish lives. So, when you visit an elder or someone who may have experienced something different at your age, talk to them; experience the differences that their family did and also share stuff in common because my grandparents share the same thing, too.
This essay was submitted as part of Exploring Judaism’s L’Dor V’Dor Essay Contest. To learn more, or submit your own essay, go here.
