I know what more of you are thinking: Who in their right mind would do that?? I have yet to see anyone anywhere discuss this topic: what if you question the validity of your own conversion? Quite frankly, that’s everything converts want to avoid! The LAST thing a convert wants is someone else to question his […]
What to Do If You Question the Validity of Your Conversion Read Post »
There is a Status War going on in the world. People who have become religious later in life (either as baalei teshuva or converts) are having a very difficult time proving that they are, in fact, Jewish. Personally, as painful as the conversion process can be, I think the baalei teshuva have it worse. Thanks
Status Wars: Not Nearly as Fun as Star Wars Read Post »
I saw a great question about conversions. I decided to post the question and my answer to that question here because I think that’s a struggle the overwhelming majority of orthodox converts face at some point in their process. How would you respond? THE QUESTION: Not to risk offending anybody, but I’d be curious as
A Response to a Very Good Question: Why Not Fake It ‘Til You Make It? Read Post »
It seems like I started this blog yesterday! Yet here we are, 100 blog posts in! I hope you’ve all enjoyed my blog as much as I’ve enjoyed writing for you! I hope you’ve found it comforting, funny, and useful. After all, conversion/becoming observant shouldn’t be as soul-crushing and humorless as some people would like
A Milestone: 100 Blog Posts! Read Post »
Disclaimer: This is my idea of the ideal process. Others may feel differently. Regardless, no matter which advice you take, most converts wait far too long to begin getting involved in their local orthodox community and with the prospective beit din out of shyness and/or fear. What should the orthodox conversion process look like? What
UPDATED Convert Questions: What Is the Ideal Conversion Process? 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 »
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 »
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 »
As an unmarried woman who had a terrible first mikvah experience (for conversion 1.0), I would very much like all of you to read this post by fellow Chavi about the mikvah! Please comment, anonymously or not! Just Call Me Chaviva: The Mikvah Is Lost on Me.
Something You Should Read and Comment on! Read Post »
Since we’ve been discussing converting specifically for marriage this last week (See Why on Earth Would Someone Convert to Judaism and Taking a Shyne to Judaism), it reminded me of a funny story. (I’m not sure if it’s funny weird or funny haha!) But it’s the kind of story that could only happen to me.
Memory Lane: The Converting for Marriage Stereotype Read Post »