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 »
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 »
Sukkot is the holiday of beautiful impermanence – joy, hospitality, and gratitude lived inside a wobbly little shelter. If that sounds daunting without a backyard, a synagogue, or fancy supplies… breathe. You can honor Sukkot at home this year with what you already have. A balcony, a window, a chair, a pot of soup –
Sukkot Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community) Read Post »
Do you have to fast on Yom Kippur? Short answer: if you’re a healthy adult — yes. If fasting would harm you — no, and it can actually be a mitzvah to eat. This guide is your calm, judgment-free walkthrough of what counts, what doesn’t, and how to show up meaningfully at home — even
Yom Kippur Fasting You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community) Read Post »
Want to participate in the Ten Days of Awe, but you don’t have a synagogue, and you have low spoons and a brain that does not vibe with fire-and-brimstone? Same. This post is your calm guide to the peak season of Jewish reflection – the stretch between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur where we focus
10 Days of Awe Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Jewish Community) Read Post »
No synagogue nearby this year? You can still create a deeply sacred Yom Kippur — safely, gently, and with intention — right where you are. This post launches Part 2 of my High Holidays at Home series, a step-by-step video to help you craft the day from home: set your kavanah, shape a simple service
Yom Kippur Rituals You Can Do at Home (Even Without a Community) Read Post »
The Jewish New Year isn’t just about apples and honey—it’s about connection. And one of the simplest, most meaningful ways we connect during this season is through our greetings. But if you’ve ever stood at the synagogue door or sat down at a holiday table wondering, “Wait, what do I say??”—you’re not alone. In this
Jewish New Year Greetings Made Simple 🍎🍯 What Do You Say on the High Holidays? Read Post »