The top ten moments in the life of children of baalei teshuvah

W

e’re not BTs, and we’re definitely not FFBs. We Children of Baalei Teshuvah are a crossbreed of the two, the awkward but lovable offspring of the kiruv movement, albeit without the catchy acronym to identify us. From one COBT to another, I present the Top Ten Moments:

1. Bubby and Zeidy were so excited when you visited them. They found kosher snacks just for you! You felt so loved and cherished; it was so thoughtful of them to go out of their way to buy them for you and your siblings! Until you realized that the snack was OU, a hechsher your family didn’t eat. Thankfully, big brother Tully was there to explain that their kosher snacks just didn’t cut it.
2. It’s fifth grade, and everyone’s counting how many Chanukah parties they went to. You went to a total of one party, the yearly party at Great-Aunt Hannah’s house with the extended non-frum family. Sevivon Sov Sov Sov was sung heartily by all (women included), and latkes were served — though the frummies ate double-wrapped microwaved tater tots. The highlight of the night was when Great-Aunt Hannah lit her modern-art asymmetrical menorah that your brother Tully kept muttering wasn’t even kosher.