Disclaimer: While I’ve only been “frum” since June, I’ve been primarily shomer negiah for several years. I haven’t always given it the attention it deserved, and being a bit of an idiot, I was shomer negiah except where it mattered: in my romantic relationships. That’s no longer the case, even though there is no risk […]
The Most-Thought Yet Least-Asked Question: Are You Shomer Negiah? Read Post »
Am I the only one who thinks “Jews-by-Choice” is an unnecessary term? What’s so wrong with being a “convert”? For some reason, I like it, despite not really having another religion to convert “from.” At a minimum, I don’t see what’s wrong with the term convert or why some people are so opposed to it,
Adventures in Semantics: Jew-by-Choice v. Convert Read Post »
Reason #12 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re unusually attached to a particular mitzvah. Mine is my mezuzot. I couldn’t tell you why, but I bought a mezuzah case (and non-kosher scroll) in 2005. I knew I couldn’t hang it, but it stayed with me for the next 5 years. This involved 5 moves. All but
Reason #12 You Know You’re Crazy: You’re Unusually Attached to a Particular Mitzvah Read Post »
Today I’m writing about the importance of a support system during and after your conversion. Sure, this sounds obvious, but really, it can’t be overemphasized. And not only do you need to know that your family and friends still love you and support your choices, but you also need observant friends to support you. It
The Importance of Support Read Post »
I suspect that everyone who has become Jewishly observant as an adult has cravings for treif food. (See the Glossary if you aren’t familiar with “treif.”) The question is what you do with these cravings. I suspect that most people divert their attention to something else and try to forget about it. Usually, this results
What to Do When You’re Craving Treif Read Post »
Disclaimer: I had never heard of the Vancouver Beit Din until this week, when I was given access to a copy of their conversion manual. For those of you who are also unaware of them, they are (among other things) a regional conversion beit din for the Rabbinical Council of America. This means (for today
Converts & Fear: Is a Beit Din on Halachic Thin Ice? Read Post »
Reason #7 You Know You’re Crazy: You are the inconvenient friend. Your friends want to spend time with you. However, they are confused by kashrut. And you have no idea how many friendship-time ideas involve food. Inevitably, people are confused about what kinds of activities they can do with you, which is wonderful because they
Reason #7 You Know You’re Crazy: Being the Inconvenient Friend Read Post »
The real question on the minds of all us orthodox converts is actually “Now that I’m orthodox, am I doomed to own a minivan?” I sure hope not.
The Real Question on the Orthodox Conversion Candidate’s Mind Is… Read Post »
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: I was SO ready to move inside the eruv because I learned out how to walk the dog without breaking Shabbat, but there’s no way to get around picking up the dog poop and carrying it to the trash. (As required by law, apartment community rules, common decency, and
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: Carrying Dog Poop on Shabbat Read Post »
Today I have a meeting with a rabbi who was recommended by my new beit din! And I’m super excited! How amazing is that? You mean the conversion process can be a positive experience? Apparently yes! Even the multiple-hour drive can’t dampen my spirits 🙂 Full disclosure: I rocked my exam this morning AND I
Step #1 with the New Beit Din Read Post »