You can love Judaism and hate converting. Conversion can be one of the most meaningful choices you’ll ever make…and still include parts you resent, grieve, or simply don’t enjoy. But converts are often expected to be endlessly joyful and grateful. If we admit that something is difficult, people may question our sincerity. Eventually, we start
The Feelings Jewish Converts Aren’t Supposed to Admit Read Post »
The third anniversary of October 7th may bring up complicated feelings, especially if you’re converting to Judaism or still finding your place after the mikvah. You may wonder whether this grief is yours to carry. You may worry that you aren’t feeling enough, or that feeling numb means you don’t care as deeply as you
What If You’re Not Grieving October 7th “Correctly”? Read Post »
Sydney Sweeney attended Rosh Hashanah services with her boyfriend, Scooter Braun. Then the internet obviously and immediately claimed she might be considering conversion to Judaism. To be clear, Sweeney has not publicly announced that she’s converting. Right now, it’s a rumor built around one synagogue appearance and her serious relationship with a Jewish man. But
Jewish Convert Reacts to Sydney Sweeney Conversion Rumor Read Post »
Sydney Sweeney was recently spotted attending Rosh Hashanah services with her boyfriend Scooter Braun, which naturally sent the internet down a new rabbit hole: Is Sydney Sweeney converting to Judaism? Maybe. Maybe not. As a Jewish convert myself, I have some thoughts about that. Thinking about converting yourself? Grab my FREE Conversion 101 ebook by
Is Sydney Sweeney Converting to Judaism for Marriage? A Convert Reacts 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 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 »
Building a Jewish life doesn’t just change what you do. It changes how you relate to the people around you. For many converts, one of the hardest parts isn’t the learning or the rituals – it’s the conversations with family. The questions. The misunderstandings. The moments where something that feels deeply real to you doesn’t
What Jewish Converts Wish Their Families Understood Read Post »
Building a Jewish life is one thing. Talking about it with other people is something else entirely. If you’ve ever frozen in a conversation, said too much, or walked away wishing you’d handled it differently, you’re not alone. These conversations can be surprisingly hard – especially when family dynamics are involved. This post will give
What to Say When Family Questions Your Jewish Life Read Post »
If you didn’t grow up Jewish, Passover can feel like you’re walking into the middle of something everyone else already understands. Online, it looks seamless. Polished. Automatic. Like there’s a right way to do it and you somehow missed the instructions. But most of what you’re seeing was built over years – family habits, repeated
Passover When You Didn’t Grow Up Jewish Read Post »
If you’re converting or exploring Judaism, there are going to be words you hear that feel insider-y. Cultural. Maybe even funny. And when you’re new, it can be tempting to use those words about yourself – especially if you’re trying to signal humility or show that you “get it.” But some words carry history that
“Nobody Wants This” Normalized Something Dangerous Read Post »