The OU (Orthodox Union) is the largest kosher certification agency in America. I think I’ve trained my parents well enough now that they can spot the OU from 20ft away in the grocery store! The search function is incredible! Finding the kosher ingredient you want just got a lot easier! OUKosher.org First order of business? […]
Kashrut Update: The OU Has Launched Their Kosher Food Website! Read Post »
As someone new to full Jewish observance, I can tell you that the #1 practical lesson you learn from observance is discipline. This is also probably the hardest for people to learn, especially for us spoiled Americans! We take pride in not being “tied down” by rules, people, whatever. (Leaving aside the argument that we
Orthodoxy and Eating Disorders: Kosher Discipline to the Extreme Read Post »
As you’ve probably noticed, the blog has a new layout! I hope you like it! And if you have eagle eyes, you may have noticed that there are new pages listed above! Enjoy the expanded content, provided as always to promote practicality in the conversion process. If you have suggestions, edits, or gripes, my email
Management Update: Expanded Content and New Layout! Read Post »
In short, no, especially in orthodox conversions today. However, I think that is generally true in all the movements. If your sponsoring rabbi recommends to your beit din that it is time for you to take the oral examination part of your conversion (“the” beit din) and your beit din agrees, then you likely ARE
Convert Questions: Does Anyone Fail the Beit Din? Read Post »
Wearing skirts in the cold winter is less awful than I expected. Not even bad, 95% of the time. (Check back with me next year during my first New York winter!) However, I’m in the snOMG blizzard experience, even in Virginia. We’ve got about 10 inches of snow as of Sunday night, and it’s still
Buying into Modern Orthodox Stereotypes One Day at a Time… Read Post »
Oh yeah. Xmas. This week has mostly been a reminder of how much I’ve forgotten Xmas. Case in point: I’m spending my winter vacation mostly with my parents, who celebrate Xmas. I was shocked when my stepmom asked, “So what are you going to fix for Xmas dinner?” (Since I’m cooking kosher in their house.)
Did Something Important Happen Yesterday? Read Post »
A common question for many converts is whether they can make aliyah to Israel. In short, yes, a convert from any movement can make aliyah to Israel under the Law of Return. This means the convert can get expedited citizenship and be labeled as a “Jew” on their ID card. (I’m still very confused by
Convert Questions: Converts and Aliyah Read Post »
We all know that orthodox dating practices are different than other Jewish groups or the secular public. However, there isn’t much explanation of the process. And most of the kvetching (whining) is about being an “older single,” which most converts and baalei teshuva are. Unfortunately, most of the internet resources on the topic are on
The Orthodox Dating Process Read Post »
As we just discussed the potential that a convert may need to move to a new community in order to finish his or her conversion (Convert Issues: the Community Requirement), the next step is choosing the RIGHT community for you. And I mean literally “you,” specifically. No community will be the right fit for all
The Importance of Finding the “Right” Community Read Post »
If there is any “cultural” aspect of the Jewish People that you should know, it’s Jewish Standard Time (JST). I swear I hear this phrase at least twice a week, and I live in a very small community. I can only imagine its effects in the larger communities! In my Jewish encounters, I’ve found that
Ever Wondered Why Jewish Events Start Late? Jewish Standard Time Explained Read Post »