If you’ve ever heard someone mention Shavuot or Shavuos and immediately thought “cheesecake holiday,” you’re not wrong, but you’re definitely missing the bigger picture. And honestly? Most Jews – even lifelong ones – aren’t exactly sure how to explain what this holiday is about because it’s one of the lesser-celebrated holidays, even though it’s a […]
New to Shavuot? Here’s What You Actually Need to Know Read Post »
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
Hot Take: Why “Tough Love” in Conversion Spaces Isn’t Love at All Read Post »
Before you block out the trauma – sorry, the “spiritual growth opportunity” – that was this year’s Passover, let’s hit pause for just a minute. (As you know, I’m a Pesach realist who knows it isn’t all rainbows and unicorns of spiritual highs while bleaching the bathroom.) Because somewhere between the forgotten Pyrex, the gluten-free
What to Do *Right Now* to Make Next Passover Less Overwhelming Read Post »
Friday night might be the heart of Shabbat – but it doesn’t have to be the whole story. Earlier, we talked about starting your Shabbat journey by making Friday nights special. Now let’s talk about bringing the peace of Shabbat into Saturday. If you’ve ever felt the glow of candlelight on Friday fade too quickly
Beyond Friday Night: Carrying the Spirit of Shabbat into Saturday Read Post »
“It’ll all be worth it.” If you’ve heard that phrase during your Jewish conversion journey—especially when you were struggling—you’re not alone. And you’re not overreacting if it didn’t sit right. There’s a name for that kind of response: spiritual bypassing. It’s when someone uses spiritual language to gloss over real pain, pressure you into feeling
Spiritual Bypassing During Jewish Conversion: What It Is and Why It Hurts Read Post »
You’re learning, you’re showing up, you’re doing the work… but how do you show that? If you’re converting to Judaism, chances are you’ve been told to “track the Jewish books you’re reading.” Maybe even the classes you attend or the prayers you’re learning. That’s a great start—but it’s not the whole picture. Because your Jewish
The One Document I Wish I Had During My Conversion Read Post »
Have you ever Googled “how to do Shabbat” and immediately felt overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals you “should” be doing? Candles, prayers, no phones, 12 different side dishes… it’s no wonder it can feel like a recipe for panic instead of peace. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But here’s the good
How to Start Celebrating Shabbat: Simple Steps for Beginners Read Post »
It Wasn’t Pinterest Perfect – and That’s Okay. If you’ve ever typed “how to do Shabbat” into Google and immediately spiraled into overwhelm, hi. Welcome. You’re in the right place. Maybe you imagined a perfectly set table, glowing candles, homemade challah, zero screens, and a family singing zemirot in harmony… and then looked around your
How to Observe Shabbat as a Beginner Read Post »
Imposter syndrome during the Jewish conversion process isn’t just about doubting yourself – it’s about being in a system that constantly asks you to prove your sincerity, while rarely making the rules explicit. You’re expected to navigate unspoken expectations, and then penalized for getting them wrong. In this video, I unpack how imposter syndrome really
Imposter Syndrome in the Jewish Conversion Process: It’s Not Just in Your Head Read Post »
Imposter syndrome during the Jewish conversion process isn’t just about feeling insecure – it’s about living inside a system that constantly makes you prove yourself. You’re asked to show your sincerity, your growth, your commitment – while navigating a whole world of unspoken rules. And somehow, if you mess up? It’s on you. This video
You’re Not Broken: Imposter Syndrome and the Jewish Conversion Process Read Post »