The first time you go to synagogue, you might expect everyone to sit quietly and pay attention to the service. And then you get there and… everyone is talking. Someone’s whispering to their neighbor, someone else is catching up with an old friend, and meanwhile you’re afraid to cough because you have no idea what […]
Why Is Everyone Talking in Synagogue?! Read Post »
If you’re new to observing Jewish holidays, asking for time off from work or school can feel surprisingly intimidating. What days do you actually need off? How far in advance should you ask? How much do you need to explain about your religious practice – and what happens if your boss or professor pushes back?
How to Ask for Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur Off from Work or School 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 »
How do you become the kind of person who naturally lives a holy life? Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis is one of my favorite Jewish books because instead of focusing primarily on what you should do, it asks who you are becoming. In this video, we’re talking about Mussar, middot, and the practical system Judaism
How to Become a Better Person, According to Judaism Read Post »
If you’re new to Jewish practice, figuring out where to start can be surprisingly overwhelming. Should you light Shabbat candles? Start keeping kosher? Pray every day? Study Torah? Go to synagogue? The good news – there isn’t one perfect first practice. In this video, I’ll give you three questions to help you choose something meaningful,
What’s the FIRST Jewish Practice You Should Start? Read Post »
Circumcision is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for many men considering conversion to Judaism – and also one of the parts of the process people seem least willing to talk about. So, let’s talk about it. In this video, I walk through what circumcision for Jewish conversion (Brit Milah) actually involves, what happens
Circumcision for Jewish Conversion: What You Need to Know 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 »
Keeping kosher can feel overwhelming when you’re first starting out. One person tells you to buy new dishes. Another says you need separate sinks. Someone else hands you a list of foods to avoid. It’s no wonder so many people don’t know where to begin. The good news is that building a kosher life doesn’t
How to Start Keeping Kosher (Without Getting Overwhelmed) Read Post »
Your first Beit Din meeting can feel like one of the most intimidating parts of the Jewish conversion process. You’re meeting with the rabbis who will help determine whether you’re ready to join the Jewish people, and it’s easy to feel like every word matters. The good news? They aren’t expecting perfection. They want to
The Biggest Mistakes People Make in Their First Beit Din Meeting Read Post »
Tisha B’Av can feel intimidating, especially if you’re converting to Judaism, don’t have a local Jewish community, or are observing it on your own for the first time. The good news is that you don’t need a synagogue to observe Tisha B’Av meaningfully. Whether you’re fasting, reading Eicha, learning about Jewish history, praying, or simply
Tisha B’Av Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community) Read Post »