There is a LOT you can learn about Judaism: Torah, Hebrew, prayer, Shabbat, holidays, Jewish history, halacha – congratulations, you have acquired approximately 8,000 Lego pieces. Now what are you supposed to build with them? At some point, learning about Judaism has to become living a Jewish life. And that doesn’t happen by waiting until […]
Stop Learning About Judaism and Start LIVING It Read Post »
If you’re new to observing Jewish holidays, asking for time off from work or school can feel surprisingly intimidating. What days do you actually need off? How far in advance should you ask? How much do you need to explain about your religious practice – and what happens if your boss or professor pushes back?
How to Ask for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Off from Work or School Read Post »
Jewish law is pretty clear that a person who converts to Judaism is Jewish. Full stop. The Torah also repeatedly commands us to love and protect converts. But Jewish law and the experience of actually being a convert in a Jewish community aren’t always exactly the same thing. Converts can find themselves in a strange
Are Converts Really Treated the Same as Born Jews? Read Post »
If you’re new to Jewish practice, figuring out where to start can be surprisingly overwhelming. Should you light Shabbat candles? Start keeping kosher? Pray every day? Study Torah? Go to synagogue? The good news – there isn’t one perfect first practice. In this video, I’ll give you three questions to help you choose something meaningful,
What’s the FIRST Jewish Practice You Should Start? Read Post »
Circumcision is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for many men considering conversion to Judaism – and also one of the parts of the process people seem least willing to talk about. So, let’s talk about it. In this video, I walk through what circumcision for Jewish conversion (Brit Milah) actually involves, what happens
Circumcision for Jewish Conversion: What You Need to Know Read Post »
If you’re converting to Judaism, you’ve probably wondered: Once I convert, am I Jewish forever? Can a rabbi take away my conversion? It’s a question that comes up surprisingly often, and the answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no. In this video, we’ll talk about what Jewish law says about
Can Your Jewish Conversion Be Taken Away? Read Post »
Your first Beit Din meeting can feel like one of the most intimidating parts of the Jewish conversion process. You’re meeting with the rabbis who will help determine whether you’re ready to join the Jewish people, and it’s easy to feel like every word matters. The good news? They aren’t expecting perfection. They want to
The Biggest Mistakes People Make in Their First Beit Din Meeting Read Post »
Can you convert to Judaism if you’re vegetarian or vegan? Mostly, yes. But there is one small corner of the Jewish world where you may be told that eating meat is expected, at least on Shabbat and holidays. Before you panic, let’s talk about where that idea comes from, how common it actually is, and
Do You Have to Eat Meat to Convert to Judaism? Read Post »
One of the most common questions I get from teenagers is whether they can convert to Judaism before they turn 18. The answer is usually no – but that doesn’t mean you have to put your Jewish journey completely on hold. In fact, there is a tremendous amount you can do right now to learn,
Can Minors Convert to Judaism? The Truth About Converting to Judaism Under 18 Read Post »
Can you keep Shabbat before converting to Judaism? If you’ve spent any time researching conversion online, you’ve probably encountered two completely opposite answers. Some people insist that conversion candidates should start keeping Shabbat as soon as possible. Others will tell you that non-Jews shouldn’t keep Shabbat at all. So which answer is correct? As with
Are You Allowed to Keep Shabbat Before Converting? Read Post »