My Experience at Imun

by Debbie Smith, Congregation Beth Emeth, Herndon, Virginia

JULY 2007 – People told me that “you will love Imun.” A former Imunie told me beforehand to be ready to jump in and learn immediately and hit the ground running. Get the most out of it that you can, he said. What he didn’t say was that I would love Imun with all my heart, soul, and might.

The heart part is that I made wonderful friends. There were 15 other participants. We were taught by two cantors and a rabbi. The group of 19 is perfect to have diversity, but small enough to get to know everyone well. We learned together in a large group for text study and in small groups for nusach and trope. We davened together three times a day, ate meals together three times a day, roomed in twos, threes or fours in our cabins, helped one another with our assignments, and chatted informally in between. Each participant was a person of substance, a leader, a kind, helpful, generous, smart, interesting person, devoted to Judaism. What a treasure to spend time with all of them. The “yasher koachs” after we chanted a portion, delivered a dvar Torah or t’filah, or led a service, were sincere and loud. The hugs were strong and nurturing. If a mistake was made, a gentle correction was offered, but no one was ever embarrassed. We learned and grew by doing things we had never done before. The tears were happy and real, the “kedushah moments” stirring and moving. I hope my Imun class participants will stay connected for many years to come.

The soul part was the study itself. Discussing what prayers mean. Talking about God. Translating Hebrew words and phrases so that we know what they mean and why emphasis is put in particular places. The Echa trope I learned in “advanced trope” class was so beautiful I felt I would burst. The “Az Yashir” melody that one participant shared with us, the same. No one who heard him will ever forget his voice. I left feeling that God is next to my ear and available to me all the time. God feels much closer to me after Imun.

The might part comes from the heart and soul part. I was strengthened by the experience. I’m not going to leap tall buildings in a single bound, or change the course of history or anything, but I do feel ready to face new tasks, cope with challenges, and try new things. I know that I am supported by my colleagues and by God.

Lest this sound like a paid advertisement, the program is not absolutely PERFECT. Conceived by humans, it is a work in progress and can use some tweeking and fine tuning, and thankfully the powers that be are receptive to feedback and suggestions. But overall I want to say a huge todah rabah to USCJ, Seaboard Region, and Congregation Beth Emeth for giving me this wonderful experience. I hope to give back to you all, and that I can influence others to participate in Imun in the future.