#conversion journey

[my-jewish-life]

Hi and welcome to my blog!

My name is Simon and i'm a 24 year old transguy~ father of two furbabies named Tasher and Tomomi^^

I'm in the early stages of converting to Judaism and just thought I would share my journey here💖

[tzippi]

Someone asked me why I was converting, and I didn’t feel like going into anything deep with them, so I just said “I’m converting for the challah”, and everyone accepted that as a totally valid reason.

[myjourneyintojudaism]

How do you celebrate Shabbat?

It’s a simple question and I’m struggling with how I want to approach Shabbat. Saturday has always been my day for me. Back in college I always set it aside to not study that day, just enjoy. I also used to use it to volunteer most Saturdays.

I attend a reform Synagogue and am not likely to be anywhere near as observant of Shabbat as other more traditional Jews, but I do want to celebrate it. I just am not sure how. Here’s my list of ideas:

1. Limiting my phone use and netflix use and trying to read/study more

2. Getting outside and enjoying the park near me when I can

3. Not shopping/exchanging money

4. Try to focus on enjoying time with friends.

Maybe that’s it? I don’t know honestly.

[danielf32]

This is my very first celebration of Channukah. I wish I weren't so busy today, but I ate fried food and I said the three blessings for the candles, so that's good enough for now. I'm wishing everyone Chag Channukah Sameach! May this festival of light pierce through darkness. 🕎

[lesbian-fig]

[danielf32]

CONVERSION JOURNEY UPDATE! #1

Good morning, and Shabbat Shalom!

So it's been about a month and a half since I made the decision to convert to Judaism. A lot has happened since then! First, I decided on a branch of Judaism to pursue conversion with ( Conservative/Masorti movement). I like that it's a good balance between the more traditional Orthodox/Modern Orthodox expression, while retaining much of the Liberal/Progressive stances that are present in Reform Judaism. I know you he process will be more rigorous with them but I'm prepared for it.

Secondly I've been taking a lot of Jewish studies courses in college this semester! I'm learning Hebrew, taking a course on the Israeli Palestinian conflict, And an Intro to Jewish studies course! I think I might pursue a double major in Jewish Studies while I'm here.

Finally, I'm immersing myself in Jewish life as much as I can while I'm here. I've been to Hillel and think I'm going to join services at Hillel the rest of this year. I also think I've found a Rabbi to pursue the conversion process with formally. Going to my first Shabbat morning synagogue service ever right now!

It feels good to be in religious community with others. And so much of what I'm experiencing is familiar to me from my Seventh Day Adventist upbringing.

The biggest challenges for me right now in terms of my Jewish journey is imposter syndrome. At the Hillel service, I felt so out of place as everyone around me followed along in Hebrew, chanting in melody prayers and verses from the Tanakh. In English I know what's being said, but in Hebrew I can't even read the prayers! 😂😭

The other challenge is Israel. I consider myself to be a Liberal or progressive Zionist today, but there have been moments on my life where I was Anti Zionist. I've always been critical of Israel, even as I've found it to s beautiful country and the best Country in the Middle East when it comes to embodying liberal and progressive values.

But Religious Jews seem to be becoming decidedly more hostile to criticism of Israel in this period after 7.10. It's a challenge to embrace and critique a community at the same time in a respectful and constructive way.

[danielf32]