If explaining Hanukkah to your non-Jewish family (or friends, coworkers, boss, etc) feels harder than celebrating it, you’re in good company. Every year, as soon as the menorahs come out, the questions start rolling in: “Are you still doing Christmas with us?” “Why not celebrate both?” “What does Hanukkah even mean?” and the dreaded “So […]
The Questions Every Jewish Convert Dreads in December… Read Post »
Your first Hanukkah can feel weirdly high-stakes for something involving tiny candles and fried potatoes. When do you light, what do you say, where do you put the menorah, and how do you know you’re “doing it right” if you don’t have a community around you yet? If that’s you, breathe. You can celebrate Hanukkah
Hanukkah 101: What’s Required and What’s Optional Read Post »
Finding a meaningful gift for someone in the middle of converting to Judaism — or celebrating becoming Jewish — can feel unexpectedly tricky. (Or for this person at Hanukkah! Or maybe you’re making a wish list for yourself?) You want to honor the moment, mark their hard work, and choose something that actually fits their
What No One Tells You After You Convert to Judaism, Part 2 Last week in Part 1 of this series, we talked about the emotional side of Jewish conversion — the overthinking, the comparison, and the pressure to prove yourself. This week, we’re getting real about what happens after those emotions settle. Because once the
5 More Mistakes New Jews Make (and How to Avoid Them) Read Post »
I’ve pulled together something new that you’ve asked for for a long time — a single place where you can find all the tools, books, and practical items I recommend for building a meaningful Jewish life. The Jewish Life Resource Guide gathers everything I mention in my videos, guides, and Bayit Builders membership in one
Introducing the Jewish Life Resource Guide! Read Post »
Converting to Judaism for love isn’t new — it’s ancient. People love to say “don’t convert for a partner,” but love has always been one of the holiest doors into Judaism. Relationships — romantic, familial, or friendship — are how most people have joined the Jewish people throughout history. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re
I Converted Because I Dated a Nice Jewish Boy™ Read Post »
When I finished converting to Judaism, everyone congratulated me — but no one warned me how disorienting it can feel afterward. You’ve spent months (or years) preparing, learning, proving, waiting for that magical moment at the mikvah… and then suddenly, it’s done. You’re Jewish. But instead of feeling confident, you’re exhausted, unsure, and maybe a
What No One Tells You After You Convert to Judaism, Part 1 Read Post »
Some Jewish rituals look… well, a little creepy at first. Covered mirrors. Candlelit searches. Burying books. Guarding the dead. If you only caught a glimpse of them out of context, you might think Judaism leans dark or even morbid—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Each of these practices is a lesson in compassion,
Jewish Rituals That Sound Creepy (Until You Understand Them) Read Post »
When I was converting to Judaism, I wasn’t too worried about giving up Christmas. But Halloween? Oh hell no. But for years, I had a zero-tolerance policy. I was committed to my Jewish life, and that meant leaving Halloween behind… or so I thought. Then I had kids. And suddenly, things weren’t so simple anymore.
Can Jews Celebrate Halloween? The Nuance No One Talks About Read Post »
I recorded a long video about Simchat Torah, and while editing, I only just discovered that a significant part of it has a fatal error in the video file. I’m not going to have time to refilm and edit, but I wanted to give you the information anyway. I know, the video was better because
Simchat Torah Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community) Read Post »