When most people think about the cost of converting to Judaism, they picture the big-ticket items: classes, ritual items, maybe a fee for the beit din. But for many of us, the real sticker shock comes from somewhere else entirely — the constant trickle of small purchases that never seem to end. Books, kitchen tools, […]
The Sneaky Costs of Converting to Judaism | Conversion on a Budget Part 2 Read Post »
Converting on a Budget: Why Jewish Life Feels So Expensive I converted to Judaism as a broke student – and I wish someone had warned me how quickly the costs add up. Classes, books, synagogue dues, kosher food, modest clothing… it can feel like every step toward Jewish life comes with a receipt attached. That’s
Some Jewish moments are big and obvious — holidays, life cycle events, milestones you can see coming from a mile away. Others sneak up on you: the first time you light Shabbat candles on time, the first day back to class, the first time you feel truly at home in your Jewish community. This is
Back-to-school season is here—and if you or your kids are the only Jews in the building, it comes with a lot more than supply lists and schedules. ✡️ Get the free Back-to-School Jewish Life guide in my Resource Library when you join the mailing list in the sidebar to your right. 💙 It’s packed with
Back to School, But Make It Jewish Whether it’s preschool or grad school, back-to-school prep isn’t just about new pencils and fresh planners. For Jewish families, students, and seekers, this time of year brings a whole new layer of questions: How do I fit Shabbat into a school schedule? What does Jewish rhythm look like
Back to School as a Jew? Here’s What No One Tells You | Jewish Back-to-School Part 1 Read Post »
What do you do when you’re ready to build a Jewish life… but there’s no Jewish community in sight? No synagogue. No Shabbat dinners. No one to ask the questions that keep circling in your mind. If you’ve ever felt like the only Jew—or aspiring Jew—for miles, you are not alone. And more importantly, you’re
Converting to Judaism is already hard… don’t make it harder. I’ve spent over 15 years helping people navigate the Jewish conversion process—and I’ve made more than a few mistakes myself. Some of them were honest. Some were based in fear or confusion. And some… well, I didn’t know any better. But here’s the thing: there
What NOT to Do When Converting to Judaism Read Post »
Am I Jewish Enough? Let’s Talk About Patrilineal Descent and Conversion You grew up Jewish. You lit candles, you went to Hebrew school, maybe even had a bar or bat mitzvah. And then—someone told you you’re not really Jewish. Welcome to the heartbreakingly common experience of patrilineal Jews. In this video, I break down what
Is Your Dad Jewish But Not Mom? Do Patrilineal Jews Need to Convert? Read Post »
The (Usually) Unspoken Message Many Conversion Candidates Hear Too many of us — whether through words or tone, directly or disguised as “good advice” — are told that conversion candidates aren’t worth a rabbi’s time. That we’re a waste of it. That our questions are a nuisance. That we should somehow earn our place. And
Jewish Conversion Candidates (and All Seekers) Are Not a Burden Read Post »
Have you ever been told that converting to Judaism isn’t possible for you? That Judaism is closed off to converts? These myths are not only wrong — they’re rooted in antisemitism, which tries to racialize Jewish identity and deny our long history of conversion. I’m Kochava, a Jewish convert with over 15 years of experience
Can You Really Convert to Judaism? What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Conversion? Read Post »