Letter to the Editor: Elaine Miller

Letter to the editor,

All Atlanta local community leaders:

My son has had a difficult time with religion for much of his life. Now as a young man, as he is trying to figure out his place in life and what kind of life he wants, he is weighing his Judaism carefully. Does it make his life better or worse, will it be an extra burden or will it be a joy? He was on the fence last week when he decided last minute to attend a synagogue during the Neilah service, the final service of Yom Kippur before the gates of judgement closed. He arrived late and there were no seats. He had no ticket either since he hadn’t planned on going at all. When he arrived and there were no seats, a nearby congregant told him there was no room for him and he should leave. My son said he was happy to stand and didn’t need a seat, but the congregant asked him to leave anyway. So, he left.

This was very hurtful to him. He is a sensitive soul. He said he didn’t want to be like the “observant” Jews and has decided to take some time off from Judaism. I don’t know if he will ever come back to it.

Please be kind to everyone at your temple, especially the young people who are watching and deciding how to live their lives. Judaism has much to offer in so many ways. But if the people who observe it are not acting how the young people want to be, they might just leave it forever.

Elaine Miller, RN, Atlanta