The median age of the other attendees was probably about 40, I decided. But no matter. I wanted to come back

MY

first class in Jewish thought was electric.

“These things happened: ‘Because you did not serve Hashem with happiness.’ ”

The lecturer’s voice was soft and gentle as he quoted the words of the Torah, but his words were utterly powerful. Never before had I been so blown away by a class.

“Take me with you again,” I told my brother Yosef after the class had ended and I’d finished shyly surveying the other participants. The median age of the other attendees was probably about 40, I decided. But no matter. I wanted to come back.

“Are you sure?” Yosef asked me. “I’m sure you noticed that you were the youngest person in the room.”

I waved his dismissal away. “It doesn’t matter. I want to come back. Will you let me?”

My brother looked at me carefully. “Fine,” he said. “Next week, same time. Be ready.”