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I’m really stupid and bad at languages. If I made Aaliyah and but was never able to become fluent in Hebrew would I always be considered an Anglo and not a real Israeli?

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as a non-Jewish person is it (I can’t think of the word but general adjective that describes bad) if I mispronounce bagel? I don’t even think about it when I say it but I pronounce it Ba (like bad)-gull (like the bird) instead of bay-gull. I thing this might be a regional accent thing since I pronounce bagel similarly but a lot of my friends (also non-Jews for the record) think I’m weird for saying it like that

But also thank you for the food!!

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ask specifically for frum women: is anyone on the imamother forum, and do you know if they accept women from left-wing/YCT-affiliated modern Orthodox shuls? They asked in the questionnaire what shul I go to but I'm worried I'm going to be rejected since my community is on the liberal side of modox (accepts openly LGBT Jews, women can leyn Torah but not count in a minyan, etc) and a lot of the women on there seem more right-wing... I'm a married frum woman but some people don't consider LWMO to be properly Orthodox so I'm a bit worried

I know that there are some strong feelings about imamother so please refrain from responding unless it is to answer the question and with an orthodox FOR.

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I'm a reconnecting Jew and I've been trying to find a way to feel more connected to Judaism. I'm learning Hebrew and I'm active in my local Jewish community. Is there anything else I can do to feel more connected? I've been thinking of wearing a kippah but I don't know if it's appropriate or if I need to be further along in my journey first.

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I know that the answer to this is to talk to a rabbi but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I have a really complex family history. During my childhood I lived with different family members for nine years of my life (5-14). They never had legal custody of me but they had legal guardianship. My "dad" was Jewish and my "mom" was Christian, but we weren't very religious either way. The only holidays we really celebrated were Christmas and Hanukkah. After I moved out and into my bio Mom's house I stopped participating in the culture all together because my bio Mom is an athiest.

I know under reform Judaism that paternal lineage is acknowledged, but I'm in such a weird spot that I don't know where I fall under. I've been celebrating Hanukkah since I was a little kid and my entire childhood I wanted to connect more with Judaism. I tried asking my dad multiple times if we could celebrate other holidays like passover too but he didn't have family in the area and we weren't connected with any Jewish community near us. Both of my brothers have rejected Judaism in favor of Christianity (I'm pretty sure, none of us have talked about religion since middle school), but I was always the one who wanted to learn more and participate and connect with the culture.

I know I have to talk to a rabbi but I also want to know if other people have thoughts on this, because again it's a weird spot to be in. I was wondering if anyone had any knowledge of if this is a scenario where I need to convert. I've been connecting with Judaism as an adult like I always wanted to as a kid but was never able to. (Sorry for the large chunk of text I always feel the need to over explain).

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I have two questions, but I don't want to spam the askbox, so I'm putting them both here

I know for fact I want to convert. I've done tons of research and am still going to do more. I know in my heart that this is what I want. Howev, I happen to be a trans man. I'm very binary and definitely want to get surgeries, so that's not a problem. The problem is that I don't know how long it'll take to get both bottom and top surgery (I'd have to save up, wait for the appointment, AND spend months recovering. Pretty sure it takes years to recover from bottom.). And I'm not comfortable converting before I have these surgeries because I don't really want to be naked in front of a bunch of guys when I don't have a penis yet and still have breasts, and I know I *could* just do it the way women do instead, but then I'd just feel super uncomfortable and wrong. This is one of the only things stopping me from conversion (the other being the fact I don't live close to a synagogue, but we're planning to move soon so that shouldn't be a problem for long). Does anyone have advice? Or just some comfort would be nice, haha

After I convert, would it be okay to crochet a teddy bear I have a little kippah? Obviously not the same thing but I saw a pic of a rabbit wearing a kippah and it was adorable

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i’ve done an immense amount of personal research and conversion feels very right for me, i am excited to visit a synagogue for the first time to explore this more deeply! i’m nervous about how to actually bring this up with a Rabbi though-

more specifically, is it appropriate to just email a local synagogue and say, “hey, i’m interested in conversion, what are my next steps” or is it considered better to visit services a few times as a guest and then bring it up?

i guess i’m just worried that cold emailing about it would appear presumptuous, somehow? like i’m sticking my foot in a door i haven’t even knocked on yet, if that makes sense?

idk any advice is welcome! i’m autistic so i might just be overthinking this lol but a script for an email would be very helpful as well

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Hi! I'd like to convert to Judaism, but I have some questions there.

I would like to convert as Orthodox for a variety of reasons, but I'm a part of the LGBTQ+ (trans and bi). Is that going to be a big issue? Or should I consider converting as Conservative or Reform?

For reading pleasure/reference, a similar ask from March.

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I want to kiss mezuzahs, but can't help but feel unsanitary about it, given how many people touch it.( I know people put their hand on it and then kiss their finger instead of actually kissing it, but still.) does anyone else have a similar worry, and if so, how do you address it? is just touching the mezuzah but not kissing it still count?

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does anyone know of some good books that are:

jewish (interpret broadly)

modern (no extra e's, capitals, or s's that look like f's in original printing)

english or translated into english

not like little kids' books i guess? unless it's actually good reading for adults.

and/or where to find reviews etc of such books

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I've noticed that most of the observant Jewish couples I know never touch in public, is that because of niddah? Like if you never even touch your partner in the first place then people can't tell when you *can't*

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Those of you who are converting, what's your reason? Wrong answers only.

For me, it's because I want to wear a little hat

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How do you manage to start building a more observant practice without panicking about all of the things you are NOT doing and that feel out of your grasp? Especially interested in liberal FOR - How do you build the practice that works for you, without freaking out when how you practice is outside the bounds of halakha, while still valuing Halakha?

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Hello,

I'm heavily considering conversion, but am still doing my research to make sure I should actually convert. I know it's a super important decision so don't want to rush into it.

However, what can I do before/if I don't convert? Can I still observe Shabbat, observe certain holidays, keep kosher, pray, etc.?

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edit: anon, please read our FAQ

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Why did the Israelites worship the golden calf

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Does anyone have any advice on integrating into their local Jewish community? I went to my first morning service at this shul and everyone was really nice and welcoming, but since I’m extremely shy and awkward (and also a lot younger than everyone else), I just felt like an outsider during the socializing time after services. Do you just have to continue going until you make connections?

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How should a lesbian couple do Eyshes Chayil on Shabbes? Should they sing it at the same time? Do call and response? Switch back and forth each Shabbes?

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