Conversion

The Geography of Religion: Finding My Spiritual Home in Judaism

Caitlin Finlayson

September 29, 2021

As interested as I was in Judaism, I had assumed that becoming part of the Jewish community was not an option for me. For a long time, I thought that one could only be part of the Jewish community through Jewish ancestry or marriage to a Jewish partner.

Conversion

A Gate in the Fence: A Non-believer’s Conversion to Judaism

Joel Newton

June 2, 2021

Judaism is a religion, but it is also a practice. I choose to practice my Judaism by expressing my love for the Jewish people and my becoming one of them. I practice by immersing myself in Jewish wisdom and participating in the conversation of Jewish philosophy.

Religious Pluralism in Israel

My People Are My People: What Israel's Supreme Court Ruling Means for Jews-by-Choice

Rabbi Josh Weinberg

March 2, 2021

The Jewish people have been welcoming people in for thousands of years, and this ruling takes a tremendous step forward in proving that Israel is the Jewish State for all Jews.

Gina Drangel with her husband and two children dressed up and standing in front of an open ark

Conversion

Questioning Identity

Gina Drangel

Being Black and Jewish has given me the strength to walk proudly. I have been asked on many occasions how I could be Jewish. I always respond to these questions because I believe that asking questions is a profound way to grow and learn.

Conversion

Baking Challah is How I "Do Jewish" in a Tangible Way

Branden Johnson

Challah is one of the ways I “do” Judaism in a tangible way, my attempt at hidur mitzvah (beautifying the fulfillment of the commandment). Personalizing mitzvot is a way all of us can approach and enrich our connections to Judaism.