Neighbor Saving

By Jennifer Johnson

My favorite neighbors are the Jewish couple next door.

This is not because they are the only neighbors I know, although that, also, is true. But even if I knew everyone on our street I would still adore the Needlemans and their squishy, smiley, 1-year-old twins. This weekend we”re taking care of their two black labs; when Matt and I travel in a few weeks they”ll look in on our own ginormous dog. This past summer our times together included an impromptu Memorial Day cookout, a cozy Sunday evening with the kids, and a trying but ultimately successful initiative to corral five junior high boys and move 10 tons of playground equipment from our yard into theirs.

In addition to being great neighbors, Lynda and Adam are devout Jews. Although they do not stress over keeping kosher (“Of course we can have bacon on the pizza!”), they do fast and attend long services on holy days. A mezuzah hangs by their front door, and the week after the twins” birth we were invited to baby Nathaniel”s bris.

Early in their friendship with Matt, before I even entered the picture, they kindly but firmly made it clear: don”t try to convert us and we won”t try to convert you. But the four of us do discuss religion; they explained the (quite beautiful) traditions related to naming their new children and we once stayed at their house way too late explaining the (quite long) rituals of a Catholic wedding ceremony. The questions on both sides are genuine, the answers matter-of-fact, and the entire relationship not just respectful, but relaxed.

An earlier version of me might have looked at the relationship as a real friendship but also a real opportunity””after all, if you grew up born-again, you know your obligation to approach each relationship with a non-Christian as a soul-winning opportunity. And, of course, I would love the chance to someday share my take on the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises they hold dear. But their Jewish heritage and worldview are as fundamental to their identity as my Christian family and faith are to mine, and it will take the work of the God we both pray to for that to change.

In the meantime, only good things””connection, community, really great pizza””can come from continuing the dialogue. My responsibility is to be honest, loving, true to my own beliefs, and willing to share them if asked. And to feed their dogs tonight.