The title of this blog, "The Safek" refers to the Hebrew word, safek, for question. Up until last summer, that question was my husband, who lived his life in the awkward position of neither being a Jew nor NOT a Jew for 7 long years before that question was answered. (Spoiler alert...he was a Jew … Continue reading A Year as a Jew and More Questions
A year ago, we were anxiously awaiting our meeting with the Beis Din. We were hoping and praying and adjusting to life down from Alaska. A year ago, we drove all the way to Brooklyn, NY through the night. Now I'm planning a trip back to New York in August for work as an Orthodox … Continue reading A Year After
It was a year ago that we left Alaska and boarded a plane for the midwest. Since then, it's been a hectic year with our conversions, Mr. Safek's heart surgery, and the busy-ness of living in a fully functioning Chassidic community. I have loved this year, even the tough parts. Our children both had some … Continue reading The Tree House and Another Move
This weekend, in a Chabad house not that different from my own Synagogue, a man opened fire and shot and killed a woman who dove in front of her Rabbi, saving his life. several others were injured. They were there celebrating the last days of Passover, much like I was, thousands of miles away. They … Continue reading Freedom From Hate?
At some point in the conversion process, one of the biggest hurdles almost every convert encounters is finding a home or rental in an Orthodox Jewish community. It's a non-negotiable. No respectable, accepted Rabbinical Court will convert you unless you live within walking distance of an Orthodox Synagogue, preferably within a thriving Orthodox community that … Continue reading Home Buying…as an Orthodox Jew
It's been several months since our conversion and then Mr. Safek's triple bypass. Since then, it's been a whirlwind of Jewish Day school for the kids and classes and work for us. It really has flown by and now I think I finally understand why most conversion blogs seem to peter out after the conversion. … Continue reading My First Winter…as a Jew!
A branch not yet fully grafted to the tree fragile, only just beginning to be connected looks back at the trunk, solid and strong drawing strength knowing it is there once a strange land, now home the branch wavers in a strong wind fearful of the coming storm the trunk stands resolute having weathered many … Continue reading Rockets Fall in Israel
An interesting discussion wandered across my social media feed this week. It began with a post suggesting "Comebacks For Converts," basically a list of ideas for dealing with nosey questions that converts often encounter. The post itself is pretty good and has some good ideas. The discussion that ensued, however, made me think for a … Continue reading Converts, BT’s…Heck Everyone – You Can’t Control What Others Will Think Of You
When you ask me where to find candles just assuming I must know my heart expands, relaxing my eyes well with tears simply because you counted me among your own When you tell me "Good Shabbos" casually as you walk by just assuming I celebrate it not asking me if I can break it for … Continue reading When You Treat Me Like You
I hesitated writing this post. I never want to speak ill of the Jewish people, even isolated parts because I understand how someone reading my words might take that to be all Orthodox Jews, particularly if they've had little to no experiences with other Orthodox Jews. I also hesitated because I kept wondering if what … Continue reading The Darker Side of Kiruv
I've been fortunate to travel to different Jewish communities during my years as a conversion candidate and it's always interesting how different different Orthodox communities can be. Every single one has its own personality and subtle differences and it's neat to see all the different directions people in different places take their Judaism. The downside … Continue reading Welcoming Strangers?
I've got some trips coming up down to the lower 48 and while I've written before about the logistics of backcountry camping kosher, I thought it might be good to write about traveling while observant, for those who might be new to it. Kosher travel really begins when we begin planning our trip, specifically the … Continue reading Wandering Jew-ish? Traveling Kosher!
The Safek 