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Hi! Is this blog still active?

On hiatus, but not dead. Currently trying to organize the archives and corral the tags before going back through the inbox.

-mod ש

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Sorry if this question is sort of strange. I'm working on a fanfiction where one character is Jewish and pretty observant (Conservative) but their partner is not/is a gentile. What should the gentile partner do while their Jewish partner is saying Modeh Ani? Is it okay for them to get up/go into the bathroom to start their day or is that disruptive and rude? Also is it Bat/Bar Mitzvah age when people begin adding it to their routine or younger?

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#writing advice #writing jewish characters #mod nadav

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Growing up in the south, "jesus christ/jesus" was something that was kinda common as a reaction in my vocabulary. I'm converting, but I can't find any clear-cut answers. I'm going into reform specifically, I think. I was wanting opinions on if I should cut that out of my vocabulary; to me, it's just a string of words akin to "oh shoot" but

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#conversion #can I? #advice #opinion #mod nadav

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Hello! I just found out that my grandmother on my mother's side was a ashkenazi jew. Given that I just found out about this you can probably tell I'm not culturally Jewish, was raised without any religion. So I was wondering, does that mean I would be considered Jewish or would I need to convert first?

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#can I? #jewish identity #who's Jewish? #jewish enough? #ethnically jewish #matrilineally jewish #mod nadav

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I grew up part Christian and part Jewish, never celebrated many holidays or traditions from either side but spent way more time with my mom's side, my Christian family. However, especially since getting on Tumblr and learning more about Judaism and other non-Christian religions, I really want to reconnect with my Jewish family/heritage.

So, two questions, I guess.

One: Since my mom is not Jewish, but my dad is half Ashkenazi, can I call myself Jewish? I want to convert once I'm living on my own, but I'm not sure when that'll be. And in the meantime, is it okay/accepted for me to call myself Jewish? I know it's not like being queer, where you can just pick a label and start using it, but I don't know the rules around it, and I sort of feel like a fraud unless I add "half-" in front, and quantify it with how I don't know much about Judaism.

Two: Does anyone have any resources or anything on Being Jewish? Culture, heritage, traditions, anything? I barely know most of my Jewish family, never saw them much even pre-pandemic, and I'd really like to learn more.

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#who's Jewish? #jewish identity #jewish enough? #ethnically jewish #patrilineally jewish #mod nadav

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ive followed paganism since i was 13, specifically Odin is who i have followed. but as ive gotten older ive found myself very drawn to Judaism and have thought about conversion several times, however, im not sure im ready or willing to give up worshipping Odin specifically, but i also feel called to Judaism, its worship and its teachings.. Am i able to do both, or do i have to pick one or the other?

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#can I? #conversion #prospective convert #mod nadav

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(FoR American reform, biracial) my boyfriend is a jewish immigrant from South Africa and he told me that gift giving on Hanukkah is very American, and that it's not something that happens in his family. would it be assimilationist of me to get him a gift anyways? (he didn't say specifically not to, but just that it doesn't happen in his culture.) thanks!

Once again, I apologize for the delay in posting this and hope that whatever you chose to do (or not do) in your situation worked out.

#mod nadav #can I? #opinion #advice #hanukkah #chanukah

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so on twitter i've been seeing people identifying as "jewish polytheists" and even a "polytheist christian jew". i figured that the last one is probably a messianic weirdo, but what is "jewish polytheism" about?

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#mod nadav #theology

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Hi, I am a gentile who is intrested in either converting to conservative or Sephardi Judaism. I want to know the diffrences and whether Sephardics have their own groups just like Ashkenazis do.

MyJewishLearning would be a great resource for determining the differences between Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and other ethnic groups. If anyone else has other resources, please post them below.

Since anon is asking about Sephardim and conservative Judaism, please make sure you are stating your FOR.

#mod nadav #conversion #prospective conversion #prospective convert

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Should I take down my mezuzah when I leave my dorm for winter break? There's been a string of antisemitic vandalism at my school and I am afraid that leaving it on my doorframe is asking for trouble. I know the best resistance is to live my life anyway, but I don't want something to happen while I am away. Am I a coward for taking it down?

I apologize for the delay in answering this question and I do hope you decided on a course of action that best suited you and your situation. I am choosing to post this so people can still address your questions and hopefully responses will assist you in future decision making, or make you feel better about your past decisions.

As always, lets exercise kindness in our responses and be aware that everyone is on their own journeys.

#mod nadav #can I? #antisemitism #opinion #advice #halacha

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So, I'm an ex-Christian with rapture trauma considering conversion to Judaism, and I'm aware that the idea of a messiah ushering in the end times was an idea that started there. I'm also aware that a lot of Jews reject the idea of a singular individual messiah in favor of tikkun olam, an idea that heavily resonates with me. I'm not sure if tikkun olam is entirely connected to ideas like the end times, but in some things I've read, it is. So my question is, is belief in an end times necessary to be Jewish? Because it doesn't make sense that to me that the world will be brought to perfection and destroyed (like in some things I've read). I can't believe in a messiah, and I can't believe in the end times considering two things, one, my mental health, and two, it's just statistically unlikely, especially given all the false end of the world scares over the centuries, and also the historical context in which apocalyptic stories like that were written. I'm not sure if I got any information wrong here, but I just needed to ask this. Thank you.

Please practice kindness in your responses and include your FOR.

#mod nadav #conversion #halacha #prospective convert

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Hello! I was raised Hindu and am looking to convert. Although I do not worship any of the Hindu gods anymore, there are still some aspects of Hinduism I believe in, mainly Karma and reincarnation/immortal souls. Are those two beliefs compatible with Judaism (note- i am NOT asking if I can be Hindu and Jewish, but rather if these beliefs fit into Judaism.) I also still plan to celebrate Hindu holidays with friends/family in a secular way as part of my culture. I’m getting mixed answers online when I look up the answer to these things, and I’m still very early in the conversion progress, as I’m still looking for a sponsoring rabbi/synagogue - the closest ones to me are about 45 minutes away, which may not sound like much but between my other schedules it’s been difficult to make appointments for meetings and stuff. Once I find a rabbi I obviously plan to discuss these things ASAP but I was figured I would ask here first. (FOR: reform)

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#mod nadav #can I? #conversion #advice #opinion #halacha

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Hi i'm planning to convert (in the UK liberal movement) and have been attending services for a couple of years and talking to a local rabbi. Since I don't know many Jewish people my age where I live, it's been kind of hard to get a handle on how some difficult questions are viewed so I thought I'd try here for one specific thing that's been worrying me. How do people view tattoos? I only recently learned that this is a big taboo/forbidden in Jewish law, and it's currently my biggest sticking point because I'm torn between having my own views on this (I see them as creative self-expression, and a good way to reconnect to my body as a trans person) and not wanting to be disrespectful of a serious topic, especially one with fraught historical connotations. I think this is part of finding it a little hard to gauge how to balance respect for tradition and my own views as there is room for so many ways to practice Judaism, especially in the liberal movement.

Due to the fact that this question has many answers depending on your FOR, I am going to request that responders include their FOR. Thank you.

- Mod Nadav

#mod nadav #halacha #opinion #prospective converts #challenging conversations

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Hi! I'm not Jewish, but am writing a story focusing on Jewish characters. I'm still in the early stages, but I had an important question: My MC is a lesbian from a family of Conservative Jews. I know that levels of queer acceptance range in Jewish communities just as much as in any others, but it can also be an antisemitic stereotype that Judaism and queerness are inherently opposed, and I really don't want to fall into that.

My point being: my MC is concerned that her family won't accept her, due to, among other things, the fact that they're fairly traditional. After meeting (and falling in love with (it's a romcom)) another queer Jew, she gains the courage to come out to her family, who is very accepting, which she is pleasantly surprised by. does her belief that her family won't accept her fall into antisemitic stereotypes, or do you think that it's a fairly possible portrayal of growing up queer and Jewish?

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts!

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#mod nadav #writing advice #writing Jewish characters #is x antisemitic? #can I? #opinion #is it antisemitic?

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Hi, a while back somebody posted a bracha for cats. Something about being like the lion of Judea. I can't find it anywhere & I'm hoping for help. Thanks in advance!

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#blessings #bracha #mod nadav

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what is one meant to do about amputated tissue? specifically asking about after ftm top surgery but open to others too. frame of ref: goy asking for my Sephardi Jewish character

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#mod nadav #writing advice #writing Jewish characters

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Hello!!! I want to convert to Judaism, specifically, Reform!! My Great-grandfather’s family was Jewish, but once he left my great-grandmother, all of that culture was lost. I decided to research Judaism, and it instantly felt more right than almost anything I’ve ever experienced before. It felt magical. I already stopped working on Sabbath days, and am now only eating Kosher foods! So I have two questions tonight!!

1. Because I am looking for a rabbi to speak to, and have Jewish ancestry, may I participate in Jewish traditions and holidays?

2. Will I be considered Jewish to everyone if I covert through reform? Like I wanna be “official,” and I don’t know if I’ll feel that way if a huge strand of Judaism says I won’t be Jewish.

~ Thank you so much! Love and blessings!! ~

Anon has specified a Reform FOR so please keep that in mind when responding.

#mod nadav #opinion #advice #can I? #conversion #is it appropriation?