Table of Contents
Foreword by Bob Saget Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Inspiration for Becoming Jewish
Chapter 1: Finding New Meaning Making the Transition What Defines a Jew?
Why is Culture so Important?
Why Convert?
What Is Involved?
Choosing a Hebrew Name Getting Started Rabbi Shopping Finding Community Online The Right Rabbi for You Jewish Denominations Do You Need to Learn Hebrew?
Will Your Children Need to Convert?
Using this Book Chai Notes
Chapter 2: Belonging vs. Believing Belief-Based Religion Belonging-Based Religion Will Jews Accept You as a Convert?
Will Family & Friends Accept You?
What Does “Religious” Mean?
Labels Belong on Products More than a Religion Your Jewish Inheritance Room Developing Your Own Jewish Customs Chai Notes
Chapter 3: Telling Family & Friends Topics Considered Taboo Be Honest Find a Neutral Setting Gaining Support Do it for You More Than You Bargained For Those Awkward Moments Start Living It Chai Notes
Chapter 4: Hitting the Books Choosing Your Path Seeing with a Jewish Set of Eyes TMI!
Just Do It Chai Notes
Chapter 5: Learning an Ancient Language Really? Is Hebrew Required?
Language of the Torah Curl Up with the Dead Sea Scrolls Help!
But it Looks So Different Your Secret Decoder Ring Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Worth the Effort Chai Notes
Chapter 6: Honoring Shabbat Rock Star Status Making Shabbat Yours The Three Traditional Shabbat Rituals Lighting Shabbat Candles The Blessing Over Wine The Blessing Over Bread A Blessing for Children Do-It-Yourself Shabbat Weekly Farewell Party Chai Notes
Chapter 7: Holidays & Holy Days Early or Late?
More Holidays than You Can Shake a Lulav at Make Your Sukkah Shine The Three Hour Meal Matzah, Charoset and Maror, Oh My!
The Four Questions Elijah, You There?
Living Our Values Personalize Your Passover The “Ten-Minute” Passover Chai Notes
Chapter 8: Facing the Bet Din Behind the Bet Din Use “We” Terms Don’t Sweat It Assessing Your Intent Cramming Sold Separately Chai Notes
Chapter 9: Mikvah & More The Mikvah Modesty Takes a Backseat Conversion Ceremony Circumcision Hatafat Dam Brit Brit Milah Brit Milah for Newborns Calming Conversion Jitters Chai Notes
Chapter 10: Tradition Why Tradition Matters More Than a Nursery Tying the Knot R.I.P.
Sacred Rituals & Customs Knowing What’s Important Cornerstones of Judaism Making it Work Chai Notes
Chapter 11: Living Single The Many Meanings of “Family”
Finding Your Own “Jewish Mother”
Don’t Amputate Your Past Chai Notes
Chapter 12: All This for a Wedding?
Turning Two Into One More Than Art Four Poles and a Sheet Walking in Circles Getting to “I Do”
Sheva Berachot (Seven Blessings)
The Plain Gold Band The Groom Wore Steel-Toed Shoes Getting a Get Chai Notes
Chapter 13: Raising Jewish Kids Hang On! Help is On Its Way Q & A Live It Yourself Chai Notes
Chapter 14: Adult B’nai Mitzvah & Beyond Rite of Passage Facing Your Fears What Can You Expect?
Adult B’nai Mitzvah Syllabus – Conservative What Else Can You Learn?
Virtual Learning Chai Notes
Chapter 15: Is Madonna Jewish?
Understanding the Roots What is Kabbalah?
The Five Layers Kabbalah is Jewish Kabbalah is NOT Judaism Trying Pop Kabbalah Is Kabbalah for You?
Chai Notes
Chapter 16: Do They Hate You Too?
Centuries of Jew Hating Eyes Wide Open Should You Be Concerned?
Is There a Bullseye on Your Back?
Fertile Grounds for Antisemites How to Avoid Haters What Can You Do About It?
Reporting Hate Crimes & Beyond You’re Not Alone Wave of Holocaust Denial Finding the Jewish Activist in You Show Your Chutzpah Chai Notes
Chapter 17: Everyone Matters The Gloved One Why So Many Lawyers?
Making it Your Own Chai Notes
Chapter 18: Children of Israel It Just FEELS Different Bill Said it Best Peace of Pipedream?
Act for Israel All Corners of the Globe Am Yisrael Chai!
Chai Notes
Glossary Resources Appendix I: 39 Types of Work Forbidden On Shabbat Appendix II: Converesion Course-Orthodox
