As someone new to full Jewish observance, I can tell you that the #1 practical lesson you learn from observance is discipline. This is also probably the hardest for people to learn, especially for us spoiled Americans! We take pride in not being “tied down” by rules, people, whatever. (Leaving aside the argument that we […]
Orthodoxy and Eating Disorders: Kosher Discipline to the Extreme Read Post »
As we just discussed the potential that a convert may need to move to a new community in order to finish his or her conversion (Convert Issues: the Community Requirement), the next step is choosing the RIGHT community for you. And I mean literally “you,” specifically. No community will be the right fit for all
The Importance of Finding the “Right” Community Read Post »
If there is any “cultural” aspect of the Jewish People that you should know, it’s Jewish Standard Time (JST). I swear I hear this phrase at least twice a week, and I live in a very small community. I can only imagine its effects in the larger communities! In my Jewish encounters, I’ve found that
Culture Shock: Jewish Standard Time Read Post »
As I’ve mentioned several times here, a potential convert may have to move in order to complete his or her conversion. It may be an easy move or a very difficult one, depending on the convert and the community. Some may have to move across town, and some may have to move to a different
Convert Issues: The Community Requirement Read Post »
Let’s start with a funny quote since the rest of this post isn’t very funny! “I think G-d is a goy. A mix of a girl and a boy.” – a 3rd grader And a quick definition to get us all on the same page! A connotation is “a subjective cultural and/or emotional coloration” of
Adventures in Semantics: Goy v. Non-Jew 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 »
Since this blog is, in theory, about conversion, let’s talk about some converts! On a practical level, this is very useful knowledge because it’s inevitably going to come into a conversation: “Oh, you’re a convert?? Did you read the New York Times piece about Shyne??” Rap star Shyne has taken the Jewish and non-Jewish media
Taking a Shyne to Judaism! [Cue rimshot] Read Post »
Original story: DiCaprio May Convert to Judaism for Love. Beside the fact that converting to a religion simply to marry a person sounds like a recipe for disaster, what do you think about this? My initial response was “DIBS!” but then I remembered that I’m not a DiCaprio fan. It was my automatic female response.
It seems that most orthodox converts you meet are also liberal Jewish converts. When we liberal converts begin an orthodox conversion, we all seem to think we’re crazy to be going from a liberal movement to orthodoxy. But no, you’re certainly not alone. I had the great pleasure to meet with an amazing rabbi who
Liberal Conversion: The Gateway Drug Read Post »
Reason #92 You Know You’re Crazy: I live in a very small Jewish community. As far as I’m aware, I’m the only observant Jew on my campus. And the only people who haven’t batted an eyelash at my lifestyle changes have been my Mormon classmates! In fact, they’ve been the most curious and supportive! I