In the beginning, you decide to convert, and you are infatuated. You want to breathe, sleep, and eat Judaism every hour of the day. Any time spent apart physically hurts. The “eccentricities” of Judaism and Jews are cute, and you’re glad you noticed them. You begin learning everything you can get your hands on, just […]
Shabbat Shalom! Conversion Is Like Falling in Love Read Post »
According to me, there are three major considerations when choosing where/how to convert. These three guideposts should help you decide a) the movement you want to convert with and then b) the community/rabbi/beit din you want to convert with. a) How you feel about your conversion. At the end of the day, this should be
UPDATED: The Factors to Consider When Choosing to Convert Read Post »
Everyone hears that a rabbi “has” to discourage a conversion candidate 3 times. Some rabbis don’t hold by that at all. Some do exactly three and then will begin a congenial conversion learning process. Some may or may not obviously discourage before working with you, but will continue to discourage you regularly and to varying
Convert Rants: Discouraging the Conversion Candidate Read Post »
A commenter had a great question, and I decided to write about it in a longer form and make it accessible to the rest of you! Basically, what is the point of a Hebrew name? When, where, and why is it used? First, what is a Hebrew name? At its most basic, it’s your Jewish
What Is a Hebrew Name, and What Does It Do? Read Post »
Some people might think this is a downer of a Shabbat shalom post, but it was certainly liberating for me! Quite simply, other people’s problems are just that: other people’s problems. I don’t worry about people who don’t follow halacha (or follow it differently) or judge me as a convert or any of that other
Shabbat Shalom! What to Do When People Are Crazy Read Post »
Choosing a Hebrew name can be the hardest part of your official conversion process. After all, you have to live with it for only the rest of your LIFE. Some people make it their everyday name. Or even adopt it as their legal first or middle name. And some people never use them ever again
Convert Questions: How to Choose a Hebrew Name Read Post »
Every conservative and orthodox convert (and an exponentially increasing number of reform converts) will go to the mikvah (also spelled mikveh) to complete the conversion. Just in case no one has spelled it out explicitly for you, emerging from the mikvah is when you actually become “Jewish.” For a more mystical perspective, some say the
The Conversion Mikvah Visit in a Nutshell Read Post »
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 »