The Lubavitcher Rebbe used to tell a story: A nobleman who enjoyed the aesthetics of life hired a farmer to stand inside his castle and move back and forth with a hand pick, just as he would do in the field. The nobleman took great pleasure in the simple elegance of the farmer’s sway, and […]
The Value of Productivity Read Post »
There have been requests for more “personal” stories about my conversion process. Well, today is your lucky day! If you don’t actually care about who I am and how I got here, feel free to stop reading here and check back for a new post later today! Knowing me, this is about to get long-winded.
Chumrahs: Making This Convert Crazy Since 2004 Read Post »
If you don’t already have plans for your Pesach/Passover seder, you should get on that! As an introverted person (I promise, but no one believes me) with social anxiety, I know how difficult it can be to ask people to invite you to their seder. Of course, things are much easier if you have family
How to Find a Seder for Passover Read Post »
Happy Half-Priced Candy Day! Now on to business… During conversion, you feel like you’re the one always being interviewed. And you are. But at some point, maybe even during your conversion, you’ll also get to interview someone: the rabbis and congregants of a new community. Hopefully you have a selection of communities! Even if not,
UPDATED: How to Interview a New Jewish Community Read Post »
Today is the last first day of law school! I only had one class today, and B”H, my load will be very light this semester! So here are two thoughts I’ve been having today. First off, after being in a pretty tough spot, I received a significant financial windfall today. So now, thanks to my
Two Very Different Thoughts for the First Day of School Read Post »
I’d like to write today about this article: “Green” Hanukkah Sparks Criticism. You don’t really need to read the article, but the link is there for your convenience. The (very short and poorly edited) article is talking about a proposal in Israel to encourage people to have a more environmentally-friendly Chanukah by burning one less
Who Doesn’t Want to Celebrate Chanukah in a More Environmentally-Friendly Way? Read Post »
One common problem for the newly-observant conversion candidate is when another “orthodox Jew” doesn’t do what you’ve been taught “the law” is. Or worse, the first time you see an “orthodox Jew” drive to synagogue on Shabbat. We get so upset – “How come that person can still call himself orthodox? And why am I
Rule #42 of Orthodox Conversion: There ARE Double Standards. Get Used to It. 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 »