A Baptist Pastor, Rosh Hashanah & My Jewish Friends

Last night at Sundown, my Jewish friends rang in Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah, which continues until Sundown on Tuesday, marks the beginning of what are known as the “High Holy Days.” Yom Kippur — the Day of Atonement — will mark the end of this important season in the life of my Jewish friends.

Much like January 1, the Jewish New Year is a time for celebration (and eating) and for change.  As people begin a New Year in their life, they often reflect on the past year and look forward to all that is in store in the year to come. I would imagine that many of my Jewish friends are at least thinking about some of these things on this Rosh Hashanah.

But, some of my readers might be thinking to themselves, “How did a Southern Baptist pastor get so many Jewish friends?”  Glad you asked. It all started 28 years ago when I started my freshman year at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Well, it actually started in the summer of 1984 when I met Bob, who would become my best friend (and roommate for three out of four years) in college.

it was Bob, an observant Jewish boy from Denver, would introduce this small-town, Southern Baptist boy from Florida to a world that I probably would never have known. That world included learning about what it meant to keep kosher and what it meant to keep the Sabbath from an orthodox Jewish perspective. That world also included my first taste of bagels, lochs, and cream cheese along with matza ball soup, and Gefilte fish (tastes good on a Ritz). Of course, my education would not have been complete with learning a little Yiddish along the way.

Bob, who hailed from Denver (that would end up being his nickname), would also be responsible for introducing me to a group of guys — mostly Jewish or Catholic — who would end up being lifelong friends and brothers. This diverse group, otherwise known as Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, would allow me to encounter a group guys like no other.

I had no intention of joining a fraternity. But, as I traveled with Bob on campus, we would early on end up at the fraternity house located at the corner of 21st & F Streets in Washington. It was there that I pledged the fraternity 28 years ago his Fall. It was also there, in Wendy Room, the Basement, and the front yard that I would forge lifelong friendship with a group of men that, to this day, holds a special place in my heart

In the midst of a sea of Jewish boys named Bob, Adam, Rob, Mike, Stu, Doug, Jared, Evan, Larry, Bernie, Boaz (the good doctor who taught me how to ski) and so many more, I was given an opportunity to be the token Southern Baptist boy named Dixie. What a strange and wonderful cultural mix that Phi Sigma Kappa Lambda chapter was back in the day (and probably still is today).

While I have not seen many of these Jewish friends in years (a few of us got together in NYC back in 2009 for a reunion), I can’t help but think of them fondly on this Jewish New Year. Perhaps because of the events in the Middle East in recent days and perhaps because of the interaction that we continue to have on Facebook, I am taking time to reflect on what it means to be a true friend and a brother on Rosh Hashanah.

As a Southern Baptist pastor, I have had the unique experience of having Jewish friends and brothers who continue to inspire me and challenge me. We may not always see eye to eye on religious, political or social issues, but I wouldn’t trade my friendship for anything in the world. So, my Jewish friends and brothers, Happy New Year! God bless,

Dixie