Reading Job, An Article, and the HHD (not related)

I've had a number of posts bouncing around in my head, but none of them have really formed into anything substantial, so I'm just going to dump them all into this one post so I can move on.

• This Thursday will began a 3 week adult education class at my temple titled "The Book of Job: Why and How Modern Jews Read This Ancient Text." I'm looking forward to it, not the least because I can actually attend the entire class (usually adult ed begins 30 minutes into the hour long Alef Hebrew class I teach). But, I'm also looking forward to it because my knowledge of the Nevi'im and Ketuvim is sorely lacking. So, to prepare myself for Thursday, last night I read the Book of Job. It took approx. 90 minutes and it was fascinating. I knew the basics of Job before reading it, but I don't think I ever knew that nearly the entire book is a conversation between Job and these 4 men. I am now even more eager to attend this class and to learn about what the heck it all means.
• I read an essay in the OU's online version of their publication recently that stirred up some frustration. The essay is titled "An Unintentional Intermarriage" and is written by a woman whose mother converted under the Conservative movement before the writer was born. In the past few years the writer has become more observant with her husband and has discovered that she is not really Jewish (according to the Orthodox), which in turn caused heartache on her part. My frustration grew not from the complete dismissal of all conversions not done under Orthodox auspices (though I do have a problem with it, that's a whole other can of worms), but rather from the idea that this woman, who had been actively involved in Jewish life for some 40 years, whose entire identity was that of a committed Jewish woman, would suddenly call her life into question. I think this situation created heartache where it need not have been and just reaffirms why, no matter how many mitzvot I observe, I doubt I'll ever consider myself anything but a Reform Jew.
• I have recently procured myself a copy of the Reform machzor (Gates of Repentance) and have on order from Amazon a copy of Reuven Hammer's book Entering the High Holy Days. Years ago when i first began attending services every week I was concerned that I didn't quite get the Jewish idea of prayer, so my rabbi recommended Hammer's Entering Jewish Prayer. I found it incredibly helpful and a wonderful resource; plus it was easy to follow and not over-written. I've decided that it is time I delve further into the prayers of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.