Some seasons on the Jewish calendar hit in the kishkes. The Three Weeks and Tisha B’Av aren’t flashy. They’re not covered in glitter or joy. They’re heavy. Disorienting. Sometimes avoided. And yet, they hold some of the deepest truths in Jewish life—about grief, about brokenness, and about what it means to keep showing up anyway. […]
Tisha B’Av & the Three Weeks: A Guide for Beginners Read Post »
Considering conversion to Judaism but not sure where to start? That’s incredibly common. The early stages of exploring Judaism can feel overwhelming—there’s a lot of information out there, and not all of it agrees. You might be unsure what’s expected of you, worried about doing it wrong or offending someone, or simply wondering what the
The Ultimate Guide to Jewish Conversion (Step-by-Step!) Read Post »
If you’re in the middle of the Jewish conversion process, chances are you’ve felt like you’re always one step away from ruining everything. You’re studying, showing up, trying to impress your rabbi—but still somehow wondering, Am I doing this wrong? You’re not alone. And no, you’re not failing. In this post, I’m breaking down the
The Mistakes Jewish Converts Regret Most Read Post »
Let’s start with the obvious: not every awkward moment in the conversion process is a red flag. It’s a deeply human, often messy journey full of growth, challenge, and—yes—imperfection. But when something feels off, when you’re constantly questioning yourself, or when a leader’s behavior starts to erode your sense of safety, dignity, or connection to
Red Flags in the Jewish Conversion Process: What to Watch For and Why It Matters Read Post »
If you’ve ever typed “how to convert to Judaism” into a search bar at 1:00 AM, welcome. You’re in the right place. When I began my own conversion journey (which, spoiler alert, I ended up doing twice), I had no idea how winding, emotional, and at times frustrating the process would be. I thought I
So You Want to Convert to Judaism. Here’s What I Wish I’d Known. Read Post »
Imposter syndrome during the Jewish conversion process isn’t just self-doubt. It’s not just you being too sensitive or needing more confidence. It’s a perfectly logical reaction to a system that constantly makes you prove yourself – and then punishes you for not intuitively knowing the unspoken rules. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not really Jewish
Is It Normal to Doubt Yourself When Converting to Judaism? Read Post »
If you’re feeling the pressure to stay up all night for Tikkun Leil Shavuot – caffeine in one hand, guilt in the other – you’re not alone. For years, I thought I had to do the whole thing: the cheesecake, the all-nighter, the Torah study until sunrise. But the truth is, Shavuot isn’t a test
What If You Can’t Stay Up All Night for Shavuot? Read Post »
So… can you actually convert to Judaism online? If you’ve ever found yourself doom-scrolling at 1 AM and typing “how to convert to Judaism online” into the search bar, you’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. The internet is full of mixed messages, shady certificate offers, and more than one guy in a fedora promising you
Can You Really Convert to Judaism Online? Here’s the Truth Read Post »
When I first started learning about Jewish prayer, I pictured deep, transcendent moments. Maybe a glowing sense of awe. Maybe a celestial soundtrack in the background. Spoiler: that’s not exactly how it went. Instead, my brain had a lot of… thoughts. “Did I leave the stove on?” “Why does my left shoe feel weird?” “What
My Brain Wanders During Prayer. Am I Doing It Wrong? Read Post »
Before you block out the trauma – sorry, the “spiritual growth opportunity” – that was this year’s Passover, let’s hit pause for just a minute. (As you know, I’m a Pesach realist who knows it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns of spiritual highs while bleaching the bathroom.) Because somewhere between the forgotten Pyrex, the gluten-free
What to Do *Right Now* to Make Next Passover Less Overwhelming Read Post »