Nutshell - Building a Jewish Life

Why Hashem Can’t Forgive You (Until You Do This) – How to Apologize Like a Jew

September 10, 2025

Every year as the High Holidays approach, we talk about reflection, forgiveness, and teshuva (repentance). But here’s the thing: most of us are apologizing wrong. We think a quick “sorry” is enough—but Judaism says, not even close. In this season leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jewish tradition gives us a clear path […]

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The Jewish Month That Prepares Your Soul for the High Holidays (Elul 101)

September 3, 2025

Ever feel like you’re too late, too messy, or too disconnected to start building your Jewish life? Elul is here to tell you otherwise. 💙 The Jewish month of Elul isn’t flashy — there are no fireworks, no confetti, no big celebrations. But it might just be the most important month in the Jewish calendar.

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Can You Really Convert to Judaism? What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Conversion?

July 20, 2025

Have you ever been told that converting to Judaism isn’t possible for you? That Judaism is closed off to converts? These myths are not only wrong — they’re rooted in antisemitism, which tries to racialize Jewish identity and deny our long history of conversion. I’m Kochava, a Jewish convert with over 15 years of experience

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The Three Weeks, Explained in 3 Minutes

July 15, 2025

If you’ve ever felt spiritually disconnected or like you’re mourning something you can’t quite name, welcome — you might already be tuned in to the energy of the Three Weeks, even if you didn’t have the words for it yet. This stretch of the Jewish calendar, from the 17th of Tammuz to Tisha B’Av, holds

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Jewish Grief, Jewish Growth: Tammuz in 45 Seconds

June 30, 2025

Tammuz has arrived – and with it, a season of heat, heaviness, and holy heartbreak. The Three Weeks are approaching, inviting us into a time of deep reflection, mourning, and gentle recalibration. This part of the Jewish calendar holds space for the cracks in our world – and in ourselves – that haven’t yet healed.

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Jewish Life from Scratch: How to Actually Start (Without Burning Out)

June 29, 2025

Ever tried to Google “how to be Jewish” and instantly wanted to cry under a blanket? Same. There’s so much to learn, so many expectations, and it can feel like everyone else already knows what they’re doing. If you’re somewhere between “I want this” and “I have no idea how to start,” this is for

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Tisha B’Av & the Three Weeks: A Guide for Beginners

June 25, 2025

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.

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The Ultimate Guide to Jewish Conversion (Step-by-Step!)

June 18, 2025

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

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New to Shavuot? Here’s What You Actually Need to Know

May 23, 2025

If you’ve ever heard someone mention Shavuot and immediately thought “cheesecake holiday,” you’re not wrong—but you’re definitely missing the bigger picture. And honestly? Most Jews—even lifelong ones—aren’t exactly sure how to explain what this holiday is about. Shavuot doesn’t have a seder. It doesn’t have a sukkah. It doesn’t come with an obvious playbook. So

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Beyond Friday Night: Carrying the Spirit of Shabbat into Saturday

May 13, 2025

Friday night might be the heart of Shabbat – but it doesn’t have to be the whole story. Earlier, we talked about starting your Shabbat journey by making Friday nights special. Now let’s talk about bringing the peace of Shabbat into Saturday. If you’ve ever felt the glow of candlelight on Friday fade too quickly

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