SEO: Rachel Beckman swaps law school for Israeli Orthodox life

Rachel Beckman felt newly inspired and connected to Judaism during her first trip to

Israel in 2012. When she visited again after graduating from University of Michigan in

2014, Beckman decided to defer her acceptance to law school to live in Jerusalem for one

year and further pursue her religious beliefs.

When home isn’t where the heart isRachel Beckman puts off law school, practices Orthodox Judaism in Israel

When asked what she wanted to do with her life, Rachel Beckman always had the

same answer. “I want to go to law school and eventually change the world,” she said

countless times to family, friends, and professors. Beckman never imagined herself

deviating from her calculated life plan until the summer after her graduation from

University of Michigan in 2014, when she reached a spiritual crossroads and decided to

move to Israel for a year to explore her religious beliefs.

Before Beckman signed up for a MEOR birthright trip for summer 2012, Judaism

was a part of her identity and culture, but not an integral part. She attended Hebrew

reform school, but hardly went to Temple or celebrated the high Jewish holidays after she

began college in 2010. Beckman never understood why some of her friends signed up to

take Maimonides, a three-hour course about Judaism, after a long day of college classes.

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Melissa Haworth, A#3 Mainbar P. 2

“When my friend Mel asked me to come with her on a birthright trip, I said ‘sure’

because I wanted to travel around Israel and thought it would be fun,” Beckman said. “I

never thought that three week trip would change my life for the better.”

Experiencing Israel for the first time

Beckman was surprised upon her arrival in Israel to find there was an educational

component to her trip – she thought she was only going to travel. During the educational

section, Beckman learned about Orthodox Judaism and felt immediately inspired. “I had

never encountered a set of values full of so much meaning,” Beckman said. “I realized

Judaism is an intellectual religion that encourages questions and emphasizes morality.”

With her newfound spirituality in tow, Beckman traveled to several different

cities in Israel and fell in love with her surroundings. “It’s the most beautiful place in the

world,” Beckman said, “especially on Saturdays, when everything is calm and quiet for

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.”

Despite her love for Israel and her evolving religious beliefs, 20-year-old

Beckman had no intentions of making a drastic lifestyle change. “At the time, I thought

it was nice to learn about, but it wasn’t something I could see being a part of my life,”

Beckman said of Orthodox Judaism.

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When she returned to Ann Arbor in the fall for her junior year, Beckman

registered for Maimonides and made friends with other students who were interested in

delving deeper into Judaism. Slowly, Beckman made changes in her life to accommodate

her religious interests. “I started celebrating Shabbat dinner on Friday nights instead of

going to the bar with my friends,” Beckman said. “I never imagined I would choose to

do something religious instead of something recreational, but it felt rewarding.” In the

back of her mind, Beckman started to

recognize a deep desire to understand what it

would mean to bring Orthodox Judaism into

her life.

Beckman studied abroad in Florence

during spring of 2013 and spent that summer preparing for the LSATs, all while staying

devoted to her religious beliefs. During fall of 2013, Beckman received her acceptance to

the University of Michigan School of Law, a gratifying accomplishment she felt she

earned. She would start law school in the fall, but decided to take another trip to Israel

that summer for more educational experience.

A tough decision

During those three weeks in Israel, Beckman felt conflicted internally. Law

school was her lifelong dream, but in Israel, Beckman felt at home. “I thought to myself:

‘If I don’t take the time now, when will I figure out what Judaism means to me?’”

Beckman said. “[Judaism] clearly sparked something inside of me that felt true and

meaningful.” It was at this point that Beckman decided to defer her acceptance to law

school for a year and live in Jerusalem to practice Orthodox Judaism.

“I applied to a bunch of law schools but decided that Michigan was the best fit for me. What can I say? I love Ann Arbor.” –Rachel Beckman

Melissa Haworth, A#3 Mainbar P. 3

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Beckman’s choice to stay in Israel was the most important decision she ever

made. Her mother, maternal grandmother and all of her friends supported her decision

and were proud that Beckman was pursuing something so important to her. Her father,

however, had reservations. “My dad thinks I’m being extreme and listening to what other

people are telling me to do, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth,” Beckman said.

“Every choice I’ve made on this journey has been from my heart—I’ve thought

everything through.”

A timeline of Rachel Beckman’s religious journey

Infographic by Melissa Haworth

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Melissa Haworth, A#3 Mainbar P. 4

Beckman made her decision to stay in Israel almost nine months ago, and today

she stands by her beliefs. She spends her time in Jerusalem studying Judaism and trying

to thresh out all of the important questions she has. Beckman’s beliefs have solidified

since she began her intensive studies, and she is devoted to a God-centered life.

“Orthodox Judaism resonates with me as an objective truth about how to live the most

authentic life possible,” Beckman said. “I’m so glad I took this opportunity to come to

my own individual conclusions about Judaism that I can keep with me moving forward.”

Beckman returns from Israel in June, and she looks toward the future with

excitement. She will continue practicing Orthodox Judaism and begin studying law to

work toward the career she always wanted. “This experience has changed me for the

better and given my life so much more meaning,” Beckman said. “I’ve always wanted to

change the world, but I never would have been able to do it without the set of beliefs that

I now hold so close to my heart.”

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Melissa Haworth, A#3 Mainbar P. 5

Melissa HaworthW/R #10 TA #2COMM231-0201April 28, 2015A#3: Sidebar

SEO: Rachel Beckman adjusts to life in IsraelRachel Beckman notices lifestyle differences between Israel, America

Rachel Beckman visited Israel for the first time on a birthright trip and felt so

inspired, she returned after college and decided to stay for one year to study Orthodox

Judaism. Beckman put off her plans to go to law school to figure out what Judaism means

to her and what role it will play in her life. She moved to Israel in September of 2014 to

explore her beliefs and experienced a drastic cultural adjustment to the lifestyle of the

Orthodox Israeli people.

In Israel, the workweek begins on Sunday and Friday is a half-day because

everyone prepares for Shabbat dinner. “This was one of the hardest things to get used

to,” Beckman said. “Sunday’s were always the days I would lie around and do nothing in

America.” Beckman also adjusted to long days of religious studies. Her typical day lasts

from 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

Luckily, Beckman did not have to adjust to a language barrier. “I was surprised

to find that the majority of people here speak English,” Beckman said. “I get by only

knowing a few Hebrew phrases.”

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In Jerusalem particularly, Beckman noticed that children become independent at a

very young age. “It was shocking at first,” Beckman said. “I would see children crossing

the street or riding on the bus alone at a much younger age than you would in the States.”

This concerned Beckman, who said that security is a pressing issue in certain areas of

Jerusalem.

Despite the minor culture shock, Beckman’s time in Israel has changed her life for

the better and brought her closer to a set of beliefs that give her life new meaning. “The

only complaint I have is that there’s no iced coffee in Israel,” Beckman said.

“Sometimes I just really need a Starbucks iced coffee!”

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Melissa Haworth, A#3 Sidebar P. 2

Home page: Rachel Beckman: American student living Orthodox

Photo source: Rachel Beckman

Home page would include this photo of Beckman and her friends in the Negev Desert in Israel. The tab labels would be between the website title and the photo.

Tab labels: Bio, Timeline, Lifestyle, Learn more

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First Tab: BIO BOX

Accompanying photo:

Photo Source: Rachel Beckman

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Rachel Beckman grew up on Long Island, NY and studied Psychology at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. After spending three weeks in Israel during summer of 2012 following her sophomore year, Beckman felt connected to Judaism in a way she never did before. She returned to Ann Arbor for her junior year and immersed herself in the Jewish community on campus. She was accepted to the prestigious University of Michigan Law School during fall of her senior year. After her graduation in spring of 2014, Beckman returned to Israel, where she was reunited with the sense of inspiration and belonging she felt two years prior. It was on this trip that Beckman decided to defer her acceptance to law school and deviate from her life plan. Beckman adopted the Orthodox lifestyle and spent one year in Israel exploring her religious beliefs and expanding her knowledge of the intellectual religion she identifies so closely with.

Second Tab: Timeline

“While I was in Israel during those 3 weeks after graduation it really hit me -- If I don't take the time off now, when the timing is so opportune and feasible, when will I figure out what Judaism really means to me?”-Rachel Beckman

Second Tab: Quote under timeline

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Third Tab: Lifestyle Fact box

Accompanying photo:

Rachel and friends picking lemons in a field outside of Jerusalem.Photo source: Rachel Beckman

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Transitioning from Wolverine life to Orthodox Life: A Breakdown

Lifestyle changes:o Public transportation is crucial in

Israelo Israelis have more aggressive

personalities than Americanso Sunday is a work day, Friday is a

half dayo Workdays are long (8:30 a.m. till

6:30 p.m.)o Kids become independent at a very

young age – they cross the street, take buses alone earlier than American children would.

o Security is a greater concern in Israel, Beckman stays away from certain areas in Jerusalem

Personal Changeso Beckman keeps a kosher dieto Beckman dresses conservatively in

long skirts, etc. Fun Facts

o Iced coffee does not exist in Israelo Taxis in Jerusalem are whiteo Most people in Jerusalem speak

English

Fourth Tab: Learn more

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Resources:

MEOR: Jewish Leadership Organization that offers educational courses and opportunities to travel to Israel, like Beckman’s MEOR Vision trip in 2014.

Click here to visit Rachel Beckman’s Facebook Page.

Contact: RachelBeckman12@gmail.com