There is a lot that can be said on this topic, but we’re going to touch on the major causes superficially. This is basically a warning to make sure you realize what you’re getting into. After the steep cost of the initial set-up, living Jewishly doesn’t seem that much more expensive to the average single […]
The Blessing for Children
There is a traditional bracha for children, separate from the blessings affiliated with circumcision, pidyon haben, a girl’s naming, and the various ceremonies being created to celebrate the birth of a daughter. The blessing is three-fold and can be worded in many ways. That the child should be blessed with… Torah Chuppah Ma’asim Tovim Torah […]
Conversion Special Cases: Converting with Children from a Prior Relationship
This post is going to be a cross-over between my two main “specialties”: conversion issues and law. NOTE: I am not a family lawyer, but I did work in a family law office as a student for half of law school. While I loved working in family law, I don’t plan to practice family law […]
UPDATED: How to Interview a New Jewish Community
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, […]
Convert Issues: The Community Requirement
As I’ve mentioned several times here, a potential convert may have to move in order to complete his or her conversion. It may be an easy move or a very difficult one, depending on the convert and the community. Some may have to move across town, and some may have to move to a different […]
The Real Question on the Orthodox Conversion Candidate’s Mind Is…
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.