What’s a Shabbat Kallah? It’s a celebration for the bride on the Shabbos afternoon before her wedding day. In some ways, it’s like a frum bachelorette party. (Note that there may also be a “normal” bachelorette party with the bride and her girlfriends!) I went to my first Shabbat Kallah last month, and it was a very […]
My First Shabbat Kallah Read Post »
In the beginning, you decide to convert, and you are infatuated. You want to breathe, sleep, and eat Judaism every hour of the day. Any time spent apart physically hurts. The “eccentricities” of Judaism and Jews are cute, and you’re glad you noticed them. You begin learning everything you can get your hands on, just
Shabbat Shalom! Conversion Is Like Falling in Love Read Post »
I love Shabbat candles. I do. And I even like Chanukah candles. However, the wax is driving me insane. I have half a mind to switch to oil candles, but (a) I just don’t think they’re as pretty and (b) better the devil I know than the devil I don’t. Who knows what problems oil
Convert Confessions: Candles Are Lovely, But Do They Have to Be So Messy?? Read Post »
I had the great pleasure to spend Shabbat this week in Venice, CA. I know nothing about the area, except that I’m pretty sure it was the Venice Boardwalk in the move Son in Law. (Pauly Shore movie from 1993…pure comedic gold!) I attended the Shul on the Beach (officially known as the Pacific Jewish
Crashing Venice, CA, for Shabbat! Read Post »
Shabbat Shalom, all! This is the first week of short winter Shabbats here in the US, thanks to the fall time change. I really hate when Shabbat comes in early. Not because I run out of time to prepare (heaven knows I don’t have much to prepare!), but because I really feel the Shabbat spirit
ShabShal, Ya’ll! The Early Shabbat Edition Read Post »
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: I was SO ready to move inside the eruv because I learned out how to walk the dog without breaking Shabbat, but there’s no way to get around picking up the dog poop and carrying it to the trash. (As required by law, apartment community rules, common decency, and
Reason #35 You Know You’re Crazy: Carrying Dog Poop on Shabbat Read Post »
These are the things I’ve found most useful in transitioning to an observant life. Timers. Environmentally friendly and useful for kicking out Shabbat dinner guests who won’t leave at a decent hour! I usually set mine to go off at 1am, but most people seem to prefer midnight. They’re cheap: about $10 for a timer
The Best Inventions Every Convert Should Own Read Post »
Nothing too big going on in my world today. Just looking forward to the peace of Shabbat! I could use it! However, this Shabbos is going to be either totally awesome or a little painful because I’m starting a new book: the Kosher Kitchen by Rabbi Forst. I think it’s only meant to be a
Shabbat Shalom, Ya’ll! Read Post »
My parents have no idea what I’ve gotten them into. My dad reads this blog, so he knows that I’ve told him this phrase so many times over the last few years. They just have no idea. But to their credit, they’re willing to go with the flow and deal with the problems when they
My Parents Have No Idea What I’ve Gotten Them Into by Converting to Orthodox Judaism Read Post »
Shabbat shalom, ya’ll! I’ll be off the interwebs until Saturday evening. But there are plenty of posts sitting in my editor, just waiting to be posted. Proud moment of the day: Saw very obviously observant Jews at the grocery store who were also very obviously lost. I got to explain the weirdness of our 5
Shabbat shalom, ya’ll! Read Post »