Jews By Choice

So I'm (finally) nearing the end of my conversion, and my mother is buying me mezuzah scrolls + cases for my birthday. Two for the outside doors and one for my bedroom (the rest of the house is shared). I found a place where I can get scrolls for not too much, but I am having lots of anxiety about weatherproof cases. I live in Canada and both outdoor mezuzot would be exposed to the elements (no storm door). That's a lot of variation in heat and cold, moisture, humidity, etc. Self-sticking mezuzot are out because I don't trust them to stick, but those happen to be the ones I trust best for weatherproofing (basically the clear tubes).

So, advice on weatherproof cases? Will 'weather resistant' cut it, or should I go with the stick-on tube and just be vigilant about making sure the sticky still sticks? I have an anxiety disorder and this is kind of triggering me all over the place (conversion anxiety, very expensive item getting ruined anxiety, etc). Help?

So I have an appointment with a woman who works at the local synagogue tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, she just called and asked me some of the basic questions and I'm afraid I didn't make the best first impression. I think I kind of sounded like I just wanted in because I want to be a Jew rather than having anything to do with the religion itself. This isn't true. Any tips on making a better impression tomorrow morning?

This is my first post on here (ever).  

I'm living in a part of Florida where there are barely any observant Jewish. Where I live is sometimes called "The mini Bible belt" after a street lined with churches. I probably wouldn't be able to take a conversion class anyway, as I am under 18. My parents are both Christian. My dad is non-denominational while my mom is Catholic. I've wanted to convert for years, but just started telling a few close friends. 

I'm not sure which movement of Judaism I want to convert with, although I'm pretty sure I've eliminated Orthodox. I've stopped eating pig and shellfish, although I'm finding it hard to keep kosher entirely, as I'm still living at my mom's house. I want to find a Jewish community that shares my beliefs of equality and feminism. 

Ok, hi!

Hi, I'm Rachel. I'm thinking about converting. I've actually been thinking about it since I was a kid and didn't even know what converting was. I've always had a very strong connection with the Jewish culture and people. I can't explain it. It's like I have the deepest feeling in my heart that I belong there. I'm actually quite possibly Jewish by birth. Only caveat is that my Mom lost all contact with her birth mother's side of the family when she was five years old due to family drama. She was adopted into her father's family and took up their surname: Kratzer. If Jewish law went by the paternal lineage then I would no doubt be considered lawfully Jewish. But they don't. I think it's created a lot of personal identity issues in my life because I can't without a shadow of a doubt claim to be who I feel I am.

So, back to the converting. There is exactly one synagogue in my city. They are Reconstructionist. This works for me because I appreciate and share many of their beliefs. So my question is how do I bring up the issue of conversion with the Rabbi? What if he's not willing to be of any guidance? Also, how much about Judaism should I know prior to speaking with him? Also, is it wrong to want to convert for more than just the religious aspect?

I'm just really confused and excited and anxious and worried right now. I feel that I have finally reached a point in my life where I am ready to begin the process but I'm worried it won't happen or I'll do something to mess it up.

Halp?

Finally! After the horrible incident of having my conversion unexpectedly delayed, I went to the beit din and emerged from the mikveh a Jew on 10 Kislev, 5772, as Rut Bat Avraham v'Sarah. It happened 7 days ago now, and I am still smiling at the mere thought of it.

I'll x-post a crazy long post from my conversion journal here under a cut. Hope you enjoy reading!

( Conversion Day Walkthrough )

Anyone here in Seattle and converting Conservative? Is the only option really Beth Shalom? I've not been but I think I missed their class by like two months. I went to a bigger shul in DC with a lot going on and a great rabbi, so switching is kind of jarring. I'm trying to figure out some of the Jewishly happening things in Seattle, and it seems like the Conservative community is rather small.

I decided to convert about three and a half years ago, but I haven't made the move yet. Things kept getting in the way. But lately I've been feeling the big push from Whatever Is Up There, so I got brave and emailed the Rabbi. (I have attended services at this shul off and on but I've never spoken to the Rabbi.)

I'm going to meet him today. I sent him an email last night saying I'd come to the little social before services tonight and that I'd like to introduce myself if he's around. I figured he would almost definitely see the email, but probably wouldn't reply. I wanted to give him a little heads up.

He wrote back! He NEVER writes back! He said he'd be around, was looking forward to meeting me, and maybe we can get together next week to talk about conversion.

I know this is kind of a tiny nothing of an "event," but I only have one Jewish friend and she doesn't live anywhere near me--I had to let it out to some other JBCS! I am happy/excited and nervous/terrified in about a 660/30 split and would greatly appreciate any happy thoughts or good juju you can spare. :)

I was due to attend the beit din for the conclusion of my conversion at the end of this month, and was literally counting every second, revising for the beit din's questions and practising the mikvah blessings like a madwoman. Unfortunately though, my rabbi has told me that the October slot is full, and so I will have to attend the next one in early December.

Soul-crushing news, but it actually hurt a lot more at the time than it does now. & a month and a half isn't TOO long a wait, right?

Still, I can't help feeling put out and extremely disappointed. I really thought I would be Jewish come the end of this month.

Has anyone else had their conversion postponed? How did you cope?

Before this whole conversion thing, I was not in the least bit religious. At all. I thought about things (y’know, life/death, human nature, etc) but never observed anything. Even for the religion I was born into, which I abandoned when I was 13. Christmas and Easter were family events I was forced into, and didn’t hold any religious meaning for me or my family.

But now I’m converting and not just observing rituals and holidays, but wanting to. The thing is that I feel it’s my duty as a conversion student to observe everything. And I know that’s not possible or even desirable. My (traditional Conservative) rabbi keeps trying to talk me down, but I’m a bit on the OCD side so it’s hard to keep those urges under control. How do I not feel guilty over choosing not to observe certain things, possibly ever? I feel most rituals are important, but as a random example I don’t see myself ever making an eruv tavshilin. I don’t see myself giving up carrying stuff on shabbos. I likely won’t drive on shabbos when I’m able to drive, but I don’t mind taking public transit. I probably won’t say brachot before sticking anything in my mouth, or even doing after-meal prayers. I feel guilty about it, even though I know plenty of Jews do the this-and-that thing with no qualms. Or at least very few. I want to be a mostly-observant Jew, but I also want to be *me*. And me is much more laid back about some things.

For those of you who were not religious in any way (or only a small way) before converting or considering conversion, how did you find balance?

When I first heard it sung in temple, I was moved. It sounds beautiful. However, now a few months in from daily synagogue going, I can't really get it. How did any of you learn to memorize these Hebrew chants/songs? I could really use some advice.