Author name: Kochava Yocheved

Welcome! My name is Kochava, and I'm not crazy. Well, maybe I *am* crazy, but not for converting to Judaism. I'm a Southerner, writer, lawyer, teacher, parent, homeschooler, activist, nerd, and brand-new YouTuber. You name it, I'm curious about it.

Rosh Hashanah Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community)

No synagogue nearby? Celebrating Rosh Hashanah solo? You’re still invited to a sweet, meaningful New Year. This post – and the video – is your calm guide to Rosh Hashanah at home: set one honest intention, light holiday candles, say Kiddush, and dip apples in honey. We’ll touch Cheshbon HaNefesh (gentle soul-accounting), simple symbolic foods,

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Jewish New Year Greetings Made Simple 🍎🍯 What Do You Say on the High Holidays?

The Jewish New Year isn’t just about apples and honey—it’s about connection. And one of the simplest, most meaningful ways we connect during this season is through our greetings. But if you’ve ever stood at the synagogue door or sat down at a holiday table wondering, “Wait, what do I say??”—you’re not alone. In this

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Why Hashem Can’t Forgive You (Until You Do This) – How to Apologize Like a Jew

Every year as the High Holidays approach, we talk about reflection, forgiveness, and teshuva (repentance). But here’s the thing: most of us are apologizing wrong. We think a quick “sorry” is enough—but Judaism says, not even close. In this season leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jewish tradition gives us a clear path

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The Jewish Month That Prepares Your Soul for the High Holidays (Elul 101)

Ever feel like you’re too late, too messy, or too disconnected to start building your Jewish life? Elul is here to tell you otherwise. 💙 The Jewish month of Elul isn’t flashy — there are no fireworks, no confetti, no big celebrations. But it might just be the most important month in the Jewish calendar.

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Final Hours: The Membership That Transforms Your Jewish Journey

The High Holidays are coming fast. If you’ve ever found yourself doom-scrolling “Rabbi Google” at 2AM, panicking over what to wear or your lack of Hebrew, or feeling like everyone else has a secret map to Jewish life while you’re piecing scraps together — you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And it’s exactly why I

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Is Converting to Judaism More Expensive Than You Think? | Conversion on a Budget Part 3

When I started my Jewish journey, nobody told me that the biggest costs wouldn’t be the obvious ones. Sure, I expected to pay for books, classes, maybe some ritual items. But what blindsided me were the hidden costs—the unpaid time off for holidays, the career shifts, the synagogue memberships, even the emotional toll of burnout.

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How To Ask For Jewish Holidays Off At Work or School

Asking for time off for the Jewish holidays shouldn’t feel like climbing a mountain—but let’s be real, it often does. Whether it’s Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or any other Jewish holiday, the thought of explaining your absence to a boss or professor can be stressful—especially if they’ve never heard of these holidays before. The good

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The Sneaky Costs of Converting to Judaism | Conversion on a Budget Part 2

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,

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