A friend asked an excellent question that has probably occurred to many of you: “Why is the local reform shul charging $200 for holiday tickets, but the Chabad is only charging $25 and that includes a meal??” This contrast doesn’t always exist, but it exists in much of America, especially smaller Jewish communities where there is […]
Why Are High Holiday Synagogue Tickets So Expensive? Read Post »
Gather round, friends. I want to talk to you about something near and dear to my heart: you do not need to “speak Yeshivish” to be frum. If you want to, that’s fine. But I don’t want you spending time beating yourself up over the idea that you “don’t talk like everyone else talks.” Elul
It’s Ok to Not Speak Yeshivish Read Post »
I’m surprised how often this question comes up. After all, what do you think is the alternative? Making them go hungry or having to hire someone else to feed them? We can get so afraid of unusual situations that sometimes we don’t stop to think through them logically first. Fear is common whenever you face
Can I Feed My Children or My Pet on a Fast Day? Read Post »
People tend to fall into two camps: those who don’t advocate for themselves and people who are always advocating for themselves. As a society, we tend to deride that second group of people. But why? Is their behavior really that annoying or are we jealous? I can’t answer that categorically, but in at least some
How to Advocate for Yourself Without Being a Jerk Read Post »
Oh gee willikers, guys. There’s so much going on. And I can finally share it with you! First, let’s talk about some personal stuff. I fell off the face of the earth recently, and now I can tell you why: I’m finally pregnant for the first time, and I’ve been sick as a dog. In
You’ve probably seen this phrase really often but may not even know it, especially if you don’t yet read Hebrew. Most notably, it has been written on (sewed onto) every challah cover I’ve ever seen. For example: So what’s it all about? Meaning & Usage It means “in honor of/for the honor of Shabbat and
Phrase of the Day: L’Kavod Shabbat v’Yom Tov Read Post »
Yes, yes, and yes. I saw this google search come up and wanted to reassure all of you that your RCA (or IRF or private beit din or whoever) conversion does not tie you to a particular hashkafah (philosophy, approach to Judaism). Well, it doesn’t have to. I wrote a while back about the special challenges that
Can a RCA Convert Become Lubavitch After Conversion? Read Post »
Rabbis, rabbis, rabbis, everywhere you look it feels like there’s another guy in a beard and a hat (well, maybe not in your community, but you get what I mean). Interacting with all of them and coordinating them doesn’t just feel like herding cats, it actually is harder than herding cats because cats have less
The Rabbis Who Might Be Involved in Your Conversion Read Post »
I hope you have a fun Lag B’Omer! Break out the BBQ, shave, get a haircut, and don’t burn anything down!
You get four invitations to “The Annual Dinner.” In one day. Seven in one week, and I doubt the mail onslaught is over yet. From shuls past and present, Hatzolah, yeshivas, and seminaries. One is for a shul you’ve never even belonged to. In fact, you’ve never even been there. How does that happen?? All
Sign #374 You’ve “Made It”: The Annual Dinner Invitation Read Post »