Peeking Through the Door

I'm still thinking about what I would like to do with this blog and how it might be useful, but setting that aside for a moment, I do feel like it's important to give my friends here some updates on where our family is at as far as the conversion process and the big move.  …

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Reconsidering The Blog

It's almost been a year now since I began this blog.  At the time, I began it because I didn't see a lot of conversion stories being told, at least not being told in detail with all the complexity involved.  I also didn't see a lot of resources for prospective Orthodox Jewish converts out there …

Chanukah Sameach from Alaska!

It is fitting that the celebration of Chanukah comes so close to the winter solstice, the darkest part of the long dark winter of Alaska.  Chanukah reminds us that we can always add light and the story of Chanukah is one of Jews bravely sticking to their traditions and refusing to assimilate, even when the …

How a Trip to the Ends of the Earth Helped Me Make Peace with Christmas as a Jew

Last week, I traveled to the north slope of Alaska, about as far north as anyone can go, and I spent almost a week in an oil camp.  This was probably the most unlikely place for an Orthodox conversion candidate.  As part of my work there, I had to walk through every dorm room unless …

In the Darkness of a Blizzard

At the northern edge of humanity hidden in a polar embrace forbidden candles flicker and dance outside wind howls in the hallway, workers trudge day and night Inside, there is an island, tiny and fragile my lips whisper blessings my cup holds only water, not wine my table only matzah, not challah my family far …

To the Edge of the World

Tomorrow I board my flight to Kuparuk, to spend a week in one of the most remote, most extreme parts of the world.  I will most likely be the furthest north person celebrating Shabbos in the world this week, in a land where the sun will not rise for months.  I've consulted my Rav about …