I visited the Reform shul for the first time last night. It was a great experience. It was a Kabbalat Shabbat and there was a Texan rabbi leading services (Neil Katz) because the community only has a semi-regular rabbi. It was a very diverse and international congregation. It was actually founded by Americans who wanted a Progressive Jewish alternative to the Orthodox community here so it stands to reason that it attracts a lot of foreigners.
We sang for about an hour and the rabbi told a few jokes and played a few songs of his own. Afterwards, there was a kiddush and a potluck dinner where I really got to talk to a lot of people, including a few who are also wanting to convert. This was such a positive experience, and I got lots of great advice. All in all, we may be 4 or 5 people starting a conversion course in January.
The congregation isn't very big but I was told that there would be more people in August and September. Apparently, I managed to get in the last service before the summe break.
Also, very strangely I met a colleague of my stepfather's as well as one of my old teachers. The world is so small sometimes. Now, I have to write a short essay about why I want to convert and join the community and I'll hopefully become an associated member of the community by the end of the summer.
