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’ve ever heard someone mention Shavuot or Shavuos 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 because it’s one of the lesser-celebrated holidays, even though it’s a
New to Shavuot? Here’s What You Actually Need to Know Read Post »
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
Beyond Friday Night: Carrying the Spirit of Shabbat into Saturday Read Post »
Have you ever Googled “how to do Shabbat” and immediately felt overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals you “should” be doing? Candles, prayers, no phones, 12 different side dishes… it’s no wonder it can feel like a recipe for panic instead of peace. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the good
How to Start Celebrating Shabbat: Simple Steps for Beginners Read Post »
It Wasn’t Pinterest Perfect – and That’s Okay. If you’ve ever typed “how to do Shabbat” into Google and immediately spiraled into overwhelm, hi. Welcome. You’re in the right place. Maybe you imagined a perfectly set table, glowing candles, homemade challah, zero screens, and a family singing zemirot in harmony… and then looked around your
How to Observe Shabbat as a Beginner Read Post »
Feeling overwhelmed by Passover prep? You’re not alone. But here’s the truth: dirt isn’t chametz. In this quick video, I break down what you actually need to clean, what’s just social media pressure, and how to make your Pesach prep more grounded and less panic-driven. Watch below to reclaim your calm – and maybe your
Overwhelmed by Pesach? Read Post »
So you’ve been reading books, scrolling social media, reading this blog…and you think you’re ready to go to a synagogue service for the first time. The mechanics and the level of “oh no what have I gotten myself into I am not ready for this” will be different between orthodox and non-orthodox services only because
What to Expect the 1st Time You Attend Synagogue Read Post »
If you haven’t discovered it already, 2 Jews equals 3 opinions! And it is entirely possible for all of those opinions to be correct. How is that possible?? I’m Jewish, so I could give you 18 answers to that question. The best answer I can give you is that Judaism is not only NOT a
What Is a Chumrah and What Is Halacha Read Post »
One of the biggest disagreements about conversion is kabbalot ol mitzvot, the acceptance of the yoke of the commandments. In case you don’t remember, yoke mean burden, not to be confused with a yolk. Fun fact: the “stock” from “being put in the stocks” is a human yoke. Criminals and slaves were put in stocks.
What If You Don’t Like One of the Mitzvot…Can You Still Convert Orthodox? Read Post »