Home - Building a Jewish Life

Watch This Space!

More is coming! I “discovered” Judaism at 19 years old, which is now half a lifetime ago. I began this blog 12 years ago, but it has been quiet for almost 4 years. I’m nearing my 10th wedding anniversary, have 2 children, and still live in the New York City area. What have I […]

Do I Need a Havdalah Set?

Do you need a havdalah set to “do” havdalah properly? In short, nope. It’s absolutely not required to make a kosher havdalah. But is it nice? Did I spend years thinking my life would be better if I had one? Yes. But there was never enough money for it. I always needed books (or rent […]

Some Last-Minute Pesach Resources

Time is short, are you ready?? Don’t worry if you’re behind. Don’t worry if you haven’t even started. Full disclosure: we haven’t started and we never do until right before. Maybe it’s ADHD, maybe she’s born with it? Either way, here are some last-minute resources you might find useful! Chag kasher v’sameach! Have a happy […]

How Long Does It Take to Convert? The Real Answer Is There’s No Answer

This is probably the most common conversion question out there: How long is this going to take?? (I wish Blogger offered a “scary” font! Letters dripping with blood would convey the feeling much more accurately!) It’s obvious to think about this question when you first get interested in converting. But you rarely realize this question […]

Dressing “Frum” at the Gym

I think I’ve always been surprised how commonly people (usually women) ask about halacha and going to the gym. But especially about headcoverings and the gym. Yet I don’t see men asking about their yarmulkes at the gym 🤷 In short, your mileage will vary considerably. Ask people in your community. If you’re in the conversion process or […]

Friendships When a Liberal Convert Goes Orthodox

I came across this question on social media again recently, and it has been a frequent concern over the years: “I converted in one Jewish movement and now want to convert orthodox. What will happen to my friendships and my relationship with my former rabbi(s)? Will they hate me? Am I betraying them?” First, I’ll […]

Book Review: Conversion to Judaism: Choosing to Be Chosen by Rabbi Bernice K. Weiss

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I came into this book with a lot of…cynicism? I mean, really, this is the cover: Conversion to Judaism: Choosing to Be Chosen: Personal Stories by Rabbi Bernice K. Weiss with Sheryl Silverman And each chapter starts with a clipart graphic of a bouquet. I wish I were […]

And Now for Something Completely Different

And now for something completely different than yesterday. Something fun! A holiday parody! In all seriousness, this is one of the best adaptations of a song for a holiday that I’ve ever seen. Maybe just because I love Queen, but definitely worth a watch! And if you’re looking for some interesting new latke flavors to […]

Being a Maccabee Is Harder than It Sounds

Chanukah…a celebration of the courage to fight our enemies. It sounds so much nicer on paper. It is not nice in real life. I have always taken self-defense seriously…on paper. I never actually followed through on getting an education in it, not even a basic class when we had one every few weeks on my […]

Happy Chanukah! And Go Check Your Smoke Detectors. Now. I’ll Wait.

Chanukah starts today, a very early Chanukah this year. So I hope you enjoy hearing “Happy Hanukkah!” from every Tom, Dick, and Harry for weeks after Chanukah, until December 26! I used to correct people, but now I just accept it with a smile and move on. I guess you mellow out as you get […]