So…I’m trying to learn how Blogspot works. I have to say, it’s pretty amazing. I have used LiveJournal, and this is the space-age compared to LJ! I finally figured out how to schedule posts for the future, so now postings will arrive as a regularly scheduled thing. I have one post scheduled for 7am Pacific […]
Management Update: Chavi is learning how Blogspot works Read Post »
My parents have no idea what I’ve gotten them into. My dad reads this blog, so he knows that I’ve told him this phrase so many times over the last few years. They just have no idea. But to their credit, they’re willing to go with the flow and deal with the problems when they
My Parents Have No Idea What I’ve Gotten Them Into by Converting to Orthodox Judaism Read Post »
Reason #2,421 You Know You’re Crazy: You decide you’d like law school because you really like Talmud-based classes. And then you actually go to law school.
Reason #2,421 You Know You’re Crazy: Judaism Makes You Go to Law School Read Post »
The Question on Everyone Else’s Mind When Talking to Converts (especially female converts)… “So…who’re you converting for?” I suppose I’m not totally one to talk since I’m technically a stereotype. Yes, an ex-boyfriend brought me to the Jewish people, at least initially (and much to his dismay). However, he didn’t remain in the picture long
The Question on Everyone Else’s Mind When Talking to Converts Read Post »
It seems like all converts wait for the day when they won’t stand out. I’ve always been a stand-out kind of person (and I generally like it), but I’m amazed that I get happy at the idea of blending in somewhere. Aka, being mistaken for a born Jew. Unfortunately, this goal is less likely for
You Know You’ve Made It When Someone Mistakes You for a Born Jew! Read Post »
Reason #254 You Know You’re American: You’ve memorized the before-eating food brachot, but you don’t even know which one to use because you have no idea where your food comes from. (Since two of the brachot require knowing whether the fruit/vegetable came from a tree or a bush.)
Reason #254 You Know You’re American: Food Brachot Read Post »
Shabbat shalom, ya’ll! I’ll be off the interwebs until Saturday evening. But there are plenty of posts sitting in my editor, just waiting to be posted. Proud moment of the day: Saw very obviously observant Jews at the grocery store who were also very obviously lost. I got to explain the weirdness of our 5
Shabbat shalom, ya’ll! Read Post »
Reason #1 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re Suspicious of Kindness As any of you converts/converts-in-progress know, the conversion process, despite being an incredibly worthwhile, meaningful, and “religious” experience, can be soul-crushing when well-meaning (or not so well-meaning) Jews try to “discourage” you. Sometimes this discouragement can cross the line over into flat-out rude or cruel.
Reason #1 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re Suspicious of Kindness Read Post »
Reason #201 You Know You’re Crazy: You chose a Hebrew name for yourself that you can’t pronounce correctly with any consistency. In my case, I chose Kochava, which has that guttral “ch” sound smack dab in the middle of the word, which is even harder than pronouncing it when it’s at the beginning or end
Reason #201 You Know You’re Crazy: Unpronounceable Hebrew Names Read Post »
Reason #84 You Know You’re Crazy: An Orthodox Conversion is EXPENSIVE. Really. My conservative conversion cost me nothing other than one required paperback book for my Introduction to Judaism class. I think I bought it on Half.com for 5 bucks. To get to my first meeting with an orthodox beit din, I spent approximately $1,000
Reason #84 You Know You’re Crazy: Orthodox Conversion is EXPENSIVE! Read Post »