converts - Building a Jewish Life

A photo of a hand holding a Star of David up to the golden sunset with the sun shining through the middle of the Magen David. Black text to the right says "The Convert Kehilla" and at the bottom white text says Building a Jewish Life.com.

Seeking more Jewish Community? Join the Convert Kehilla’s Rosh Chodesh Circle!

November 25, 2024

Are you a Jewish convert or conversion candidate seeking a warm and welcoming community? Look no further than The Convert Kehilla (“community,” roughly). Join our Rosh Chodesh Circle for the upcoming month of Kislev, dedicated to fostering connection, learning, and growth. For the first time in many years, I’m going to begin teaching live again. […]

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Photo of a dark-haired, light-skinned woman sitting against a wall, covering her face with her hands in a shameful way. Background is cream, she is dressed in a black sweater and blue jean pants. The text above reads "Imposter Syndrome in Jewish conversion."

Imposter Syndrome in Jewish Conversion

November 10, 2024

Imposter Syndrome is a term that many of us are familiar with nowadays, at least in the workplace. It’s the sneaky terrible feeling that “everyone else” has it figured out except you and you’re going to mess up and they’re all going to know you’re an imposter. The feeling of being a fraud, of not

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Reflections 11 Years Later

February 19, 2023

It’s been just over 11 years since I completed the orthodox conversion process that created this blog. What’s changed? What’s it like “on the other side”? Last month, I saw my conversion anniversary on the calendar and made a note in my planner. …And then I completely forgot about it until a week after the

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Conversion Candidates: The Child Who Doesn’t Know How to Ask

April 9, 2012

At the seder, the discussion always surrounds the rasha, the wicked child. We rarely discuss the other three children, and usually then, only to compare and contrast with the rasha. This year, I put a name to a long-standing part of myself: the child who doesn’t know how to ask the question. You can never

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Should You Make Up a “Jew-y” Name for Yourself?

February 15, 2012

Disclaimer: All names in this post are completely made up (and often from random name generators). If I happened to accidentally choose your name, I apologize. Well, except for the famous names. I just felt like using those. It’s very common for converts to take on a Hebrew name as their “everyday” name, even if

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Converts and Birthright

January 6, 2012

If you’re young enough, every conversion candidate thinks about the possibility of going on Birthright. I went on Birthright after my conservative conversion, but I was on a trip organized by an orthodox organization and the specific trip was actually labeled as “modern orthodox.” I think that effectively just meant that the trip was shomer

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Should Public Announcements List a Speaker as a Convert?

November 4, 2011

Blogger Hadassah posted an interesting question on her blog: Should an invitation to a public lecture identify the speaker as a convert? “I was taught that you never ever out a convert. Even if everyone knows that so-and-so converted, it is a sin to point it out to anyone.” I don’t agree with that necessarily

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Convert Quote: Handicaps

November 1, 2011

Sammy Davis, Jr., is one of the most famous American Jewish converts. In true borsht belt/vaudeville style, Mr. Davis has a very famous quote involving Jack Benny, a contemporary American entertainer. On a golf course, Jack Benny once asked Sammy Davis, Jr., what his handicap was. “Handicap?” he asked. “Talk about handicap! I’m a one-eyed

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Why Insincere Conversion Candidates Matter

October 7, 2011

GIANT IMPORTANT POINT: This issue can approach a fine line between protecting the community and bullying. Before you accuse someone (to their face in private or to a rabbi in private) of being an insincere conversion candidate, CAREFULLY consider your motives for doing so, your options for action, and how your actions will affect the

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Black and Jewish

August 11, 2011

There is a lot to be said about being “black and Jewish.” I’m not sure I’m the right person to say it, but I certainly have my thoughts on the subject and knowledge of the experiences of others. I still haven’t found the right words, so the discussion will have to wait for another day.

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