orthodox

How to Choose Between an Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Conversion

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 […]

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Hot Take: Why “Tough Love” in Conversion Spaces Isn’t Love at All

If you’ve ever felt like converting to Judaism is less of a spiritual journey and more of a test of how much you’re willing to suffer… you’re not alone. In this video, I’m naming the thing we don’t talk about enough: endurance culture in Orthodox conversion is harming real people, and it’s not what Judaism

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How to Start Observing Shabbat

New video up! ✨ Shabbat doesn’t have to be all or nothing! ✨ Starting to observe Shabbos can be overwhelming. Start small, make it beautiful, and find the joy in the process. 💙 Light candles, enjoy a tech-free dinner, take a nap—whatever feels doable. Shabbat is a gift, not a test. 🎁 See transcript below.

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Can Politics Ruin Your Jewish Conversion?

Do your politics matter while converting to Judaism? No!  (Yes, of course they do.) Should you be open about your politics while converting? Only you can answer that, but let’s give you some useful information to make that decision. Disclaimers! Lawyers love disclaimers, and I’m no exception. I’ve been a part of and visited more

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What to Expect the 1st Time You Attend Synagogue

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

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What Is a Chumrah and What Is Halacha

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

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Dressing “Frum” at the Gym

I think I’ve always been surprised how commonly people (usually women) ask about halacha and going to the gym. But especially about headcoverings and the gym. Yet I don’t see men asking about their yarmulkes at the gym 🤷 In short, your mileage will vary considerably. Ask people in your community. If you’re in the conversion process or

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Conversion Candidates: The Child Who Doesn’t Know How to Ask

At the seder, the discussion always surrounds the rasha, the wicked child. We rarely discuss the other three children, and usually then, only to compare and contrast with the rasha. This year, I put a name to a long-standing part of myself: the child who doesn’t know how to ask the question. You can never

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What If You Don’t Like One of the Mitzvot…Can You Still Convert Orthodox?

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.

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The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: The Seforim Sale

There’s an interesting thing going on in Manhattan in the month of February! The Seforim Sale has conquered the Yeshiva University campus. It is the largest seforim sale in North America, and almost everything is being sold at a reduced price. There’s books, cookbooks, music, children’s books, all kinds of things. For a bibliophile, it’s

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