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 »
There is a LOT you can learn about Judaism: Torah, Hebrew, prayer, Shabbat, holidays, Jewish history, halacha – congratulations, you have acquired approximately 8,000 Lego pieces. Now what are you supposed to build with them? At some point, learning about Judaism has to become living a Jewish life. And that doesn’t happen by waiting until
Stop Learning About Judaism and Start LIVING It 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 »
If you’re building a Jewish life at home, Rosh Chodesh may become one of your favorite observances. Known as the beginning of the new Jewish month, Rosh Chodesh is a small but meaningful celebration that helps you experience the rhythm of the Jewish calendar. You don’t need to host a big meal or know dozens
Rosh Chodesh Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Jewish Community) Read Post »
“Just ask your rabbi.” Sometimes that’s genuinely the correct answer. But is it the right answer? If you’re converting to Judaism, exploring Judaism, living far from a Jewish community, or simply don’t have a rabbi yet, it can feel less like guidance and more like a dead end. If they had a rabbi to ask,
Why “Just Ask Your Rabbi” Is Terrible Advice Read Post »
A lot of people trying to learn Judaism end up with an accidental curriculum made up of random books, YouTube videos, Reddit threads, and whatever happened to cross their path that week. The problem isn’t a lack of information. It’s a lack of structure. If you’ve ever wondered what you should learn first, how to
Build Your Own Jewish Personal Curriculum (Step by Step) Read Post »
One of the most overwhelming parts of converting to Judaism is realizing there isn’t just one “Jewish conversion.” People quickly discover there are different movements, different expectations, different community cultures, and different long-term consequences attached to each path. So how do you decide between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform conversion? In this video, we’re talking honestly
How to Choose Between an Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Conversion Read Post »