“I welcome thee to mine domain”

Welcome to the Library of Carcosa, realm of the Yellow King!

This realm is made of islands made of old books over a sea of ink. Giant yellow birch trees and books make up the structures in this realm, staying strong in any storms that make the ink sea churn.

The realm is watched over by the Buchhalters who diligently tend to the books of knowledge both comprehensible and incomprehensible, fruit trees, and visitors of the library. (Buchhalter pictured below)

introduction post!

I am a 30-something queer human in the Midwest. I first wandered into a Reform synagogue about 4 years ago. The more I learned and experienced the more Judiasm just meshed with me. I took an introduction to Judiasm class and met with the Rabbi of the Reform Congregation. However, there was one thing I just couldn’t square: If Halacha wasn’t binding then why would I convert? What was the point of converting when it wouldn’t change anything about the community’s expectations of me? I could never find a satisfactory answer for myself to that question. I am not trying to yuck anyone’s yums. I, personally, couldn’t find meaning in a Reform conversion.

About a year ago I went to a local Conservative/Traditional Egalitarian Shul. I had been warned by friends that I probably wouldn’t like or follow what was up because my Hebrew is super basic. Guess what, I liked it and haven’t really looked back. I have found my spiritual “home”. I completed the Miller Introduction to Judiasm class series shortly before the pandemic started. I took an intro class a second time because I wanted to be really sure I understood what I was getting myself taught in from an “own voices” perspective for the Conservative Movement.