Choosing a siddur – a Jewish prayer book – often feels harder than it should. With so many options, translations, and traditions, many beginners and conversion candidates worry about buying the “wrong” one or committing too soon. But a siddur isn’t a test of Jewishness or knowledge. It’s a tool meant to support prayer and […]
What to Know Before You Buy a Siddur (a Jewish Prayerbook) Read Post »
Many people delay beginning Jewish life because they believe it starts with finding the right synagogue. But for a lot of people, that search takes time – and waiting can quietly stall the journey altogether. Jewish life doesn’t begin in a building. It begins in time, in daily choices, and in the small practices you
The Myth That Jewish Life Starts at a Synagogue Read Post »
The Jewish month of Tevet arrives quietly, after the lights of Hanukkah fade and winter fully settles in. The siege of Jerusalem remembered on the fast day of Asarah B’Tevet wasn’t destruction all at once – it was the slow tightening that came before it, ending in the destruction of the first Beit HaMikdash, the
Tevet: The Jewish Season Between Light and Collapse Read Post »
Jewish practice can feel harder when you’re neurodivergent – not because you lack commitment, but because so much of Jewish life assumes a neurotypical nervous system. If you’re ADHD, autistic, or otherwise neurodiverse, even simple mitzvot can take more effort than people realize. This piece explores why difficulty isn’t failure, how Jewish law already accounts
When Jewish Life Assumes a Neurotypical Brain Read Post »
Contacting a rabbi is one of the most anxiety-provoking steps in the Jewish conversion process – and it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many people delay conversion for months or even years because they believe they need to be “ready,” prove themselves, or have their entire story figured out before reaching out. This post
How to Contact a Rabbi for Conversion (Without Ruining Your Chances) Read Post »
Antisemitism can land differently when you’re in the process of converting to Judaism. It may make you question everything, or it may pull you closer to the Jewish community – sometimes both at once. This piece is for anyone navigating that tension and wondering what it means. Bayit Builders exists to support converts through the
If Antisemitism Makes You Question Converting to Judaism, Read This Read Post »
The first year of building a Jewish life can feel overwhelming – especially if you’re converting, returning, or starting from scratch. Many people burn out not because they’re doing it wrong, but because committing these common mistakes. This short piece walks through what not to do in your first year, and why Jewish life is
What NOT to Do in Your First Year of Jewish Conversion Read Post »
Most people expect the hardest part of Jewish conversion to be getting started. The early months are full of learning, clarity, and momentum. Everything is new, and there’s a sense of forward motion that makes the work feel exciting and purposeful. The end of the process has a shape too – meetings, milestones, preparations, and
Why So Many People Panic in the Middle of Jewish Conversion Read Post »
One of the questions I hear most often is: How do you actually learn to read Hebrew? If you’ve tried before and found it frustrating, slow, or downright discouraging, you’re not imagining things. Learning the Aleph Bet can be genuinely hard – especially if you’re dyslexic, neurodivergent, or learning Hebrew as an adult without a
My Top Hebrew Reading Recommendations Read Post »
If you’re new to Jewish fasting, Asarah B’Tevet can feel intimidating – especially if you’ve only heard about fasting as an all-or-nothing endurance test. But Jewish fasting isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many valid ways to observe a fast day with intention, care, and spiritual meaning – including options for people who can’t fast safely. In
The Easiest Jewish Fast to Try (Seriously) Read Post »