Converting to Judaism is already hard… don’t make it harder. I’ve spent over 15 years helping people navigate the Jewish conversion process—and I’ve made more than a few mistakes myself. Some of them were honest. Some were based in fear or confusion. And some… well, I didn’t know any better. But here’s the thing: there […]
What NOT to Do When Converting to Judaism Read Post »
Am I Jewish Enough? Let’s Talk About Patrilineal Descent and Conversion You grew up Jewish. You lit candles, you went to Hebrew school, maybe even had a bar or bat mitzvah. And then—someone told you you’re not really Jewish. Welcome to the heartbreakingly common experience of patrilineal Jews. In this video, I break down what
Is Your Dad Jewish But Not Mom? Do Patrilineal Jews Need to Convert? Read Post »
The (Usually) Unspoken Message Many Conversion Candidates Hear Too many of us — whether through words or tone, directly or disguised as “good advice” — are told that conversion candidates aren’t worth a rabbi’s time. That we’re a waste of it. That our questions are a nuisance. That we should somehow earn our place. And
Jewish Conversion Candidates (and All Seekers) Are Not a Burden Read Post »
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
Can You Really Convert to Judaism? What Does Jewish Tradition Say About Conversion? Read Post »
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
The Three Weeks, Explained in 3 Minutes Read Post »
If you’re preparing for your first meeting with a rabbi about a Jewish conversion, you’re probably spiraling a little. I know I did. I was convinced I had to show up with all the right answers, a list of mitzvot I was already keeping, and zero mistakes. Spoiler: I was wrong. In this video, I’m
First Rabbi Meeting? What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Read Post »
Why would someone convert to Judaism twice? It’s a question I get a lot—and honestly, it’s a fair one. But it’s also very common. The first time I converted, I thought I had found my middle path. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t done. What followed was years of wrestling, recommitting, and rebuilding. My
7 Years, 3 Batei Din, 1 Jewish Soul Read Post »
The #1 Mistake That Delays Jewish Conversion If you’re thinking about converting to Judaism, there’s one common mistake I see over and over again—and it can delay your journey by months or even years. People wait.They wait to be sure.To know all the things.To feel “ready.” But the truth? You don’t have to be ready
The 1st Mistake Jewish Conversion Candidates Make Read Post »
You’re Trying to Build a Jewish Life—and Suddenly You Need Stuff Books. Candlesticks. A prayerbook. A second set of spatulas. A better lamp for Zoom rabbi meetings.Building a Jewish life is beautiful—but it’s also a lot. If you’re converting, returning, or starting Jewish life from scratch, you already know that Jewish living isn’t just spiritual—it’s
Amazon Prime Day for Jewish Converts: What to Buy (and What to Skip) Read Post »
You Don’t Have to Do Everything. Just Something. If you’ve ever woken up already feeling behind—like Jewish life is a giant mountain and you’re still sitting at the base of it—you’re not alone. One of the most powerful things I’ve learned on this path is this: You don’t need to do everything to start building
The Easiest Jewish Practice to Start Today: Modeh Ani Read Post »