Spring Break
Journey Across Faith Brings Hillel Leader Insight
Michael Farfaglia
Issue date: 11/26/07 Section: News
Formerly a practicing Catholic, Executive Director of Hillel Pamela Newman is now a model at UConn for both the religious and cultural aspects of Orthodox Judaism.
Hillel's Web site describes the center as "the foundation for Jewish campus life here in Storrs." The center hosts events during Jewish holidays and offers classes in kosher cooking and Jewish culture and language.
Newman is a convert to Judaism, and was herself not a member of Jewish or Hillel while attaining her degree.
"I'm clearly Orthodox," Newman said. "I follow traditional practices that were transmitted to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai thousands of years ago… [But] call me 'just Jewish.'"
Newman displayed many of those traditions. Modestly dressed, neck and ankles covered and a blonde wig to hide her hair, she adheres to the Orthodox standard of a married Jewish woman in public.
"Sometimes the wig looks better than what is underneath," Newman said.
Newman also prays at regularly throughout the day, a practice intended to remind adherents of Jewish teachings and ethics.
Born a Roman Catholic in Chicago, Illinois, Newman attended Catholic grade school, high-school and college.
It was not until she met her husband, Brad Newman, that she considered conversion.
The two met by chance after she broke her glasses and got them repaired at a shop where Brad, a student at the Illinois College of Optometry, was working. They began dating and were married two years later.
"I believe strongly in the benefits of a single faith marriage," Newman said.
While she was a practicing Catholic at the time, she began to explore the Jewish faith through This is My God, a book by Herman Wouk.
"I found amazing beauty and truth in its tenets," Newman said. "Torah, Judaism's Bible, contains the recipe for living a meaningful life."
Newman said that to her Christianity centered on the afterlife, while Judaism emphasized a closer connection to God in this life. Rather than Ten Commandments there are 613 in Judaism, said Newman, offering more structure.
Hillel's Web site describes the center as "the foundation for Jewish campus life here in Storrs." The center hosts events during Jewish holidays and offers classes in kosher cooking and Jewish culture and language.
Newman is a convert to Judaism, and was herself not a member of Jewish or Hillel while attaining her degree.
"I'm clearly Orthodox," Newman said. "I follow traditional practices that were transmitted to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai thousands of years ago… [But] call me 'just Jewish.'"
Newman displayed many of those traditions. Modestly dressed, neck and ankles covered and a blonde wig to hide her hair, she adheres to the Orthodox standard of a married Jewish woman in public.
"Sometimes the wig looks better than what is underneath," Newman said.
Newman also prays at regularly throughout the day, a practice intended to remind adherents of Jewish teachings and ethics.
Born a Roman Catholic in Chicago, Illinois, Newman attended Catholic grade school, high-school and college.
It was not until she met her husband, Brad Newman, that she considered conversion.
The two met by chance after she broke her glasses and got them repaired at a shop where Brad, a student at the Illinois College of Optometry, was working. They began dating and were married two years later.
"I believe strongly in the benefits of a single faith marriage," Newman said.
While she was a practicing Catholic at the time, she began to explore the Jewish faith through This is My God, a book by Herman Wouk.
"I found amazing beauty and truth in its tenets," Newman said. "Torah, Judaism's Bible, contains the recipe for living a meaningful life."
Newman said that to her Christianity centered on the afterlife, while Judaism emphasized a closer connection to God in this life. Rather than Ten Commandments there are 613 in Judaism, said Newman, offering more structure.
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Brian
posted 11/26/07 @ 12:44 PM EST
Anyone who has met or worked with Pam knows her extreme dedication to Hillel and the Jewish faith. It is wonderful to see others take notice as well.
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