“Can someone like me become Jewish?” is a question I hear far too often from people who aren’t white. Sometimes what’s behind it isn’t confusion about conversion requirements. It’s what someone said, an assumption they encountered, or the quiet feeling that they’d always have to explain their presence. We need to be honest about racism
Is There Racism in Jewish Conversion? Read Post »
People often ask why I converted to Judaism twice – first Conservative, then Orthodox. The short answer usually leads to more questions. The longer answer is a story I’ve been nervous to share. When you’re converting, it can be hard to tell the difference between “this is unfamiliar” and “something here isn’t right.” You’re learning
Why I Converted to Judaism Twice. Here’s What Actually Happened. Read Post »
You spent months, maybe even years, studying Judaism, attending synagogue, and preparing for conversion. You went before the beit din, immersed in the mikvah, and officially became Jewish. So why do you still feel like an outsider? For many Jewish converts, becoming Jewish and feeling Jewish are two very different things. You might struggle with
Why Becoming Jewish Doesn’t Always Make You Feel “Jewish” Read Post »
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 »
Conversion to Judaism can feel like a process designed to keep you uncertain. You may spend months (maybe even years) studying, attending services, changing your daily life, and building relationships…without knowing exactly when you’ll be considered “ready.” Some of that difficulty is unavoidable. You aren’t simply learning a set of beliefs; you’re joining a people
Why Is Conversion to Judaism So Difficult? Read Post »
There’s a particular kind of productive procrastination that happens when you’re exploring conversion to Judaism. You don’t feel ready to contact a rabbi yet, so you decide to learn a little more first. You order a book. That book mentions six other books. Soon you’ve built an impressive Jewish library, spent several hundred dollars, and
The First 3 Books Every Jewish Convert Should Own Read Post »
How much does it actually cost to convert to Judaism? You’re not paying to become Jewish, but conversion can come with plenty of expenses – some obvious, and some you probably haven’t thought about yet. In this video, we’re talking about the costs you may encounter along the way. We’ll also talk about which expenses
Do You Have to Pay to Convert to Judaism? Read Post »
Choosing a Hebrew name is one of those parts of becoming Jewish that can feel both incredibly meaningful and weirdly high pressure. You’re choosing a name you may use when you’re called to the Torah, on Jewish documents, when someone prays for you – potentially for the rest of your Jewish life. No pressure or
How to Choose a Hebrew Name You Won’t Regret: 8 Things to Know Read Post »
The High Holidays can be deeply meaningful. They can also get surprisingly expensive. Synagogue tickets, holiday meals, time off work, travel, childcare, new clothes, donations, a machzor – suddenly Rosh Hashanah has developed quite the shopping list. But a meaningful High Holiday season doesn’t require buying everything you see other people doing. In this video,
How to Celebrate the Jewish High Holidays on a Budget Read Post »