Religion In The Lives Of Resilient, African American, Single Mothers

In today’s society we are aware of many people that have done great things and set commendable examples of being righteous but so often the person closest to us is only noticed from a far. A mother is the person who gives you life even after she has given birth and she can be the greatest role model in our lives. “Young people have a range of role models, and particular reasons for choosing them. Many look to close relatives for their role models (Bricheno, P. &

Thornton, M. and M.).” In the article, The Role of Religion in the Lives of Resilient, Urban,

African American, Single Mothers by Anne E. Brodsky, there are many examples of young

Mothers’ proving that even thru adversity and pain the power of a strong belief in faith and religion that a mother can be a

I attended religious school to have a Bat Mitzvah all influenced and preached by my Mom. Throughout the years of religious school and following Judaism I had expressed to my mentor, my Mom, that I had a hard time identifying with religion in general. Apprehensive about the discrepancy between myself and my Mom, I again, was surprised with the reaction of understanding and reassurance from the love in our family. My Mom was raised in a Jewish home with going to Synagogue on Saturdays and celebrating all of the Holidays. Judaism has evolved into many levels from the Hasidic Jews to the Reformed Jews. Spiritually she feels connected to a God within herself. To me, it sounds like a religion of “New Age” Judaism”. “New Age” Judaism is my interpretation of Judaism in the 2010’s and takes the traditions of Judaism and applies it to today. A practiced and recognizes religion is New Age religion and is of modern times, focuses on spirituality and a belief in life after death. (Cosgrove, 2006) The values and teachings of my Mom go beyond just one classification, her acceptance of different religious views and teachings are