tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86809758307728144782011-07-08T16:14:47.644-04:00Gradually Converting to JudaismRivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-75353248863570639062009-10-11T13:05:00.003-04:002009-10-11T13:28:24.014-04:00

"Why?""What exactly was it that made you change your mind?""How did this happen?"Living in a small town community has its challenges for any Jew, I know. We're isolated from Jewish culture centers and inundated with messages that Christianity is the real religion (I was surprised to realize the other day that "Judeo-Christian" really means "Christian with some heritage" when in common usage

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-17410222737818946192009-06-15T23:33:00.003-04:002009-06-15T23:40:20.760-04:00

We Jews are, ideally, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, a light unto the world - who would not want to be a part of such a nation? That is why I am Jewish.Our national history teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to not shun the stranger - for we were strangers in the land of Egypt. Who better than to carry the torch of social justice, to set a positive example?To us Jews, faith is

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-10880754469614979962009-05-28T17:49:00.003-04:002009-05-28T18:27:13.283-04:00

I am old enough to remember when American Girl books and dolls came out. Naturally it was the books which first drew me in, and I can remember waiting for the newest installments to come out all through elementary school. As I aged out of the series, I continued to keep an eye on the dolls. Those beautiful dolls, so expensive for a working class family, but so exciting with all their

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-44023991891428547202009-05-08T08:57:00.003-04:002009-05-08T09:09:57.112-04:00

Call it exhaustion, call it performance anxiety, call it fear of rejection...call it whatever you like, but the fact is that I have completely frozen on my Beit Din essay. I was saving this till after the end of the semester, sort of a 'saving the best for last' thought because I knew that I wouldn't be searching things in books or online, footnoting or fact-checking with this essay. It would

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-56256709520331473972009-04-06T16:01:00.004-04:002009-04-06T16:13:19.270-04:00

Things have been extremely busy in the last month or so...school work has been an all-encompassing occupation, along with the final few meetings of my Intro to Judaism class. My major paper of the semester is written and Sunday will be the final class and final exam for Intro, so I am taking a much-needed break and trying to catch up a bit on my favorite blogs. No blogging experience would be

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-30217359506783768882009-01-19T23:08:00.003-05:002009-01-19T23:33:51.942-05:00

I had something of a revelation today. Yesterday my rabbi recommended a combined relaxation and meditation exercise before reciting the Shema at night. I didn't think much about it, but thought it would be a nice way to prepare myself mentally for rest while adding to my Jewish practice.Today two people touched me through words and experiences, making me realize that while I was nodding along and

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-43070202387817888342009-01-13T23:10:00.006-05:002009-01-13T23:25:56.272-05:00

As reported on the Muqata's liveblogging for today (yesterday, Israel time), the Breslovers paid a visit to Israeli soldiers.If you're unaware of the Breslovers/Breslevers, also known as Na Nachers, here's a small piece of information from the Wikipedia article:Na Nach Nachma Nachman Meuman (Hebrew: נ נח נחמ נחמן מאומן‎) is a Hebrew language mantra used by some sub-groups of the Breslov group of

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-4112471341659967092009-01-12T20:09:00.003-05:002009-01-12T20:18:22.453-05:00

Found through this week's Haveil Havalim #200: The Harvey Edition over at Jack's, originally blogged by NY's Funniest Rabbi... an image of hope.

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-70695714413495189222009-01-05T21:55:00.004-05:002009-01-05T22:35:46.135-05:00

Just after I published the quick post about my stand on the Matzav below, I did what I've been doing since the first announcement of Israel's Gaza campaign: move through every J-blog I have on favorites, and then click links like a mad woman to get as much info as possible. How could I have forgotten to link to some of the wonderful bloggers who are making my up-to-dateness possible?First, Leah

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-2258009444567504462009-01-05T21:26:00.003-05:002009-01-05T21:43:17.468-05:00

I have been part of a discussion about the Matzav...the current "situation" in Gaza. In a way, it's very painful. The woman I find myself "facing off" with is a dear friend who has been a wonderful support since I first began thinking of conversion, and who has been of the same mind for many of the political discussions this group of ladies has had over the past few years. I find myself wanting

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-26095430437980725932008-12-14T16:45:00.004-05:002008-12-14T17:02:38.703-05:00

I love cookies, especially if they're Stars of David. This being the area that it is, I thought these certainly would be called "snowflakes" to make them more palatable to the Christian community, but I was pleasantly surprised. My son and I don't have exactly discerning tastes, so we have been eating them with relish. My daughter, between having a head cold and not being as susceptible to sugar

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-83824003456438673092008-11-23T21:32:00.004-05:002008-11-23T21:57:26.185-05:00

I am enjoying these Introduction to Judaism classes so much! It's a chance to discuss different basic topics. A time to ask the nagging little questions that I can never think of when I run into the rabbi at other times, and which are too small to bother with sending an email to ask. It's also a great way to exchange and compare ideas with others, as well as just sharing time with friends.Another

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-82472561921530837882008-11-12T20:52:00.004-05:002008-11-12T21:15:00.545-05:00

Veterans Day was yesterday, but today was the day my daughter's school set aside for honoring all the veterans who are either family, friends, or neighbors of the students. My daughter and another little girl got a special surprise in the form of a webcam conversation with both their fathers, who are serving together in a unit in the National Guard. Apparently there were tears on both sides of

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-9668397178231308822008-11-10T20:37:00.005-05:002008-11-10T21:01:02.033-05:00

Yes, I'm from the South, as you may have gathered from my title. I do say things such as "my goodness!" and "weyll" (speakers of proper English may know that word by its proper spelling, "well." But when gusting it out as a tired exclamation, there's another syllable added). This is all appropos of nothing, but now you know.So much has been going on in my life since I last blogged, I don't know

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-44097370547618128602008-09-29T22:39:00.002-04:002008-09-29T22:51:45.098-04:00

It has been over a month since I've blogged anything, and the need to blog has been building up over the past couple of weeks. I spent the last weeks of August trying to soak up all the time with my husband that I could, and after he left trying to adjust to being an ersatz single mom and college student. By the early middle of this month I had gotten mostly into the swing of things...thankfully,

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-78661785255615171312008-08-10T20:33:00.002-04:002008-08-10T21:01:01.463-04:00

I came across this little logo on another blog tonight. I had actually been intending to write a blog about how I was so busy, I didn't have time to really blog...and then I read this. I think sometimes we push ourselves to find things that are blog-worthy just so we don't lose the interest of others. I know I've thought to myself, "I really need to blog again...how long has it been?" But with so

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-74021039798179173382008-08-01T09:28:00.002-04:002008-08-01T09:52:59.511-04:00

I read the book Night years ago. Our seventh grade teachers worked together to create a history and English collective unit which would address the Holocaust and our literary goals at the same time. It's amazing how a month or two of intensive study of a single topic can impact one's view of the world for a lifetime. Perhaps the reason behind that is the topic itself: the Holocaust. Most of the

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-3087228089765808562008-07-17T21:02:00.004-04:002008-07-17T21:32:53.669-04:00

I think as readers we can look at this and think further on it. Before converting, we should ask ourselves, Is a Jewish life something I want for myself always, or just in this specific situation (e.g. with this particular person)? If the answer is yes to the former, then by all means proceed. But if Judaism for us is only relevant in the context of being with one person, we should reconsider.

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-64197605535604306552008-07-16T18:13:00.004-04:002008-07-16T18:25:36.090-04:00

If you look to the right, you'll see I've added a button titled "I'm having a Quickie." I would tell you not to blush, but I'm sure I'm more prudish than most of my (limited) readership, so I'll just explain. As a military spouse I've found it's not good to be alone, either in real life or here in La-la-land. I'm very blessed in that I have a wonderful, close-knit group of online friends who help

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-300229619865346742008-07-15T17:32:00.003-04:002008-07-15T18:09:25.711-04:00

Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, also known by the Hebrew acronym RaMCHaL, wrote in Derekh Hashem (The Way of G-d) "Man is the creature created for the purpose of being drawn close to G-d. He is placed between perfection and deficiency, with the power to earn perfection. Man must earn this perfection, however, through his own free will... Man's inclinations are therefore balanced between good (Yetzer HaTov)

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-88073105721429321152008-07-15T17:18:00.004-04:002008-07-16T18:40:11.041-04:00

This isn't a specifically "Jewish" post, but since I know there are other Etsy shoppers out there, I thought I'd share another link.My friend Mandi is a former soldier who was dual-military until she found out she and her husband were expecting. Now her husband is also out of the military, and they are a hard-working couple: both in school with two adorable boys in tow. Mandi is an amazing mom

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-62833426562840876032008-07-07T15:46:00.003-04:002008-07-07T16:01:48.049-04:00

I visited my mother in the hospital this morning. She has several ailments right now, but thankfully she was in good spirits. I think seeing her grandchildren and getting lots of hugs helped brighten her day immensely, and my father's, too.I love my parents. They are such a strong couple, dealing with so many illnesses and deaths in our family, my brother's deployment to Afghanistan last year, my

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-22524040166356991002008-06-30T15:29:00.003-04:002008-06-30T15:48:27.390-04:00

I never seem to remember to post this, but I do enjoy reading Haveil Havalim from time to time (when I find a spare few minutes)...This week HH is over at Ima on the Bima's blog.If you haven't heard of HH before, here's the quick explanation:Founded by Soccer Dad, Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-84323803237014780742008-06-30T14:26:00.003-04:002008-06-30T14:59:23.924-04:00

I was going to address my thoughts in a comment, but I think this will be long enough it deserves a post of its own.Duram8r:Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog and to try to clear up my possible misunderstanding of your position.Perhaps I'm missing your point, but the only link I find between your views and the Christian views which I referenced is that both show an intolerance

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-35511453485466348052008-06-27T16:32:00.009-04:002008-06-30T15:01:04.815-04:00

It's not easy to have a cold chill pass over your body on a 90 degree day, but sometimes there are things that can accomplish that and then some. Reading a past comment to a post over on JBC.org managed to cause me a cold chill and a momentary feeling of despair just now.The post was titled Three Inspiring Gerim: Rabbi Asher Wade, Gavriel Sanders, and Yisrael Campbell, and described the

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-43982524152022237832008-06-24T13:16:00.002-04:002008-06-24T13:17:51.143-04:00

Interesting topic I found in Conversations in Klal.It makes me feel a bit better that I'm not trying to keep a strictly kosher kitchen. ;)

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-89202373655556497632008-06-24T10:03:00.004-04:002008-06-24T10:51:26.250-04:00

My husband and I were having a discussion a couple days ago about Judaism in general, but specifically my efforts toward keeping kosher. I am converting under the auspices of Reform Judaism, mainly because that's the affiliation of our local synagogue (much like Yair, I live far out in the Diaspora), but also because I doubt any other branch would be willing to convert a married woman whose

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-49222745809952304022008-06-20T09:54:00.003-04:002008-06-20T10:16:52.008-04:00

I am reading the book Generation J by Lisa Schiffman, and found a wonderful passage that describes me to a "t."Liminality is the gray area. It's the step before transformation, a necessary uncomfortable state of being. It had fascinated me since I learned of it in graduate school. Turner called it the state of being betwixt and between, and wrote about it in reams. It's a phase of unease.

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-22585571974093701862008-06-19T16:15:00.004-04:002008-06-19T16:24:35.936-04:00

I love Etsy. In case you haven't discovered it yet, Etsy is a website where you can find wonderful handmade (or hand-chosen) items to buy. I've gotten several hand-screened shirts from the site, for my children and myself. The sellers I've dealt with have been wonderful, and I'm thrilled with the products I have, including a custom deployment bracelet with my husband's name on it.Today I have

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-10140995366719769042008-06-17T21:06:00.004-04:002008-06-17T21:50:07.963-04:00

There are several thoughts brewing right now, none of which seems worthy of a full post. Thus we have another smorgasbord post.To begin, I have been on a procrastination binge of blog-reading. I find the more I click links, the deeper I fall into the rabbit hole which is the J-blogosphere. I'm sure that other religions, and non-religious folks, for that matter, blog. I'm not so sure they must

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-51735566298251807022008-06-13T18:16:00.002-04:002008-06-13T18:36:41.699-04:00

I spoke with a very sweet young woman the other day. She overheard me talking about conversion, and I noticed her beautiful hamsa necklace. It turns out that her mother converted to Judaism after deciding to marry this woman's father, who is a Jew by birth. After we discussed my reasons for conversion and the difficulties holding me back (trying to maintain peace in my marriage and continuity for

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-30161268376552517462008-06-05T17:50:00.002-04:002008-06-05T18:02:30.689-04:00

I know it's a poor excuse, but I haven't been able to think long enough to put two sentences together for a blog lately. I'm knee-deep in reading and studying for classes, and when I'm not reading, I'm wanting to crash. Case in point: I just realized those lovely kosher hot dogs I put on the stove to heat 10 minutes ago are still cold. I forgot to turn the burner on!Not only has my mind turned to

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-71484696510089045992008-05-30T09:23:00.003-04:002008-05-30T09:49:43.082-04:00

Growing up, my father refused to mow the grass on Sunday. I can remember driving past yards where people were out tending to chores, and my father glaring and muttering under his breath about disobeying the commandment not to work on the Sabbath. Other than not doing yardwork, and of course attending church service in the morning, the Christian "Sabbath" we observed didn't have much meaning. In

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-50026965225112273102008-05-26T18:25:00.004-04:002008-05-26T18:41:39.266-04:00

Today is a day of remembrance in the United States and for those citizens abroad. An online friend whose husband is stationed overseas went to visit the Luxembourg American Cemetary to pay her respects and stand in memory of those who went before in the name of a free country. These pictures were taken by her today, and I appreciate her sharing them with other military wives.Regardless of

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-81774164321352853222008-05-23T18:37:00.003-04:002008-05-23T18:59:01.164-04:00

I suppose I'll start with the joys...might as well have a smile to begin, right?Today we were in town going to the library when my daughter asked, "Mommy, where is the synagogue?" I pointed it out to her as we drove past, and she added, "I liked going there, when can we go again?" I'm sure I was grinning from ear to ear until we reached our next destination in our errands. How great is it when

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-12418044481964247732008-05-21T18:45:00.006-04:002008-05-23T19:06:35.675-04:00

You sometimes hear about women pitting their education and career choices against their home and family choices. There's a fear of being "Mommy-tracked" instead of "fast tracked." Then on the other hand, there are those who choose "sequencing"...meaning rather than having it all, they choose to have it one at a time, or take a break while the children are little. I am one of those mothers, in a

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-16683531931738305272008-05-19T15:43:00.003-04:002008-05-19T15:59:03.613-04:00

I'm sure I've mentioned in past posts that I'm a military spouse. My husband is preparing for a deployment in the not-too-distant future, and I have to admit that I'm not usually the best at handling bad situations. I tend to fuss and fight it as long as possible before I finally relax and let what will be, be.Unfortunately, that relaxing is even harder to find when I don't have a strong faith or

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-20268960246977651122008-05-16T16:39:00.004-04:002008-05-21T19:37:49.330-04:00

Look at the NT based on the OT. There are parallels that are apparent once sought and studied. Prophecies and statements in the Old Testament were made realized in the New Testament.Of course if a newly evolving “religion” wanted to sway believers that they are the inheritors of an existing belief with over 12 centuries of collective prophetic experience, they just might do everything possible

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-10778507824810429922008-05-15T19:35:00.005-04:002008-05-15T20:21:31.699-04:00

Chaviva posted a picture of the klops she made a few weeks ago. They looked so delicious I asked her to share the recipe, which she was kind enough to do. :) I have to say, they are absolutely delicious! Even my husband thinks so. And bonus, save this recipe for next year: They are kosher l'Pesach! :)Ready for the oven...And coming out...In case anyone would like it, here is the recipe:

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-46167167423184709572008-05-14T17:22:00.002-04:002008-05-14T17:47:57.387-04:00

I know, it's positively ridiculous, but I am thrilled, ecstatic, bouncing off the walls with excitement...in other words, a shipment of books from Amazon came in today. :)I have tried to read as many Intro to Judaism books from my local library as possible, but some are just not to be found. Not surprising, considering many people in this area don't even believe there are Jews here. However, I

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-33949971255027126732008-05-13T18:38:00.011-04:002008-05-13T19:12:36.774-04:00

If you're a Dixie Chicks fan, you'll know the title reference. All others may feel free to look it up at their leisure.Do you ever feel that something just doesn't fit? Maybe you've started to wonder if you will ever fit anywhere. Well, as a blonde, Southern, country, formerly diehard Christian who wants to convert to Judaism, I can empathize. Sometimes Judaism seems so right for me...but that's

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-66917527410203663422008-05-06T21:25:00.003-04:002008-05-06T21:33:28.011-04:00

I was reading archived blogs (yes, I am that bored...and procrastinating as well), and found the link to Free Rice on Tamara Eden's blog. A friend had turned me onto this site because she and I are freaks of nature who enjoyed English class, and she wanted to test my vocab skills.Well, I have skills, how about you? Test your vocab skills at the site above, and feed hungry people as well. It's

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-73367241317246121562008-05-06T17:59:00.001-04:002008-05-06T18:15:31.088-04:00

Converts to Judaism will probably always face the age-old question of "who is a Jew?" There was a kerfluffle (to put it mildly) over Orthodox conversions by a certain R' Druckman in Israel recently, which only serves as a reminder that even Orthodox conversions may be questioned by certain segments of Jewish society.Why the issues? Is being a Jew such a wonderful thing that we must worry that the

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-8665926770896999702008-05-05T18:45:00.003-04:002008-05-05T18:58:52.181-04:00

I was speaking with my rabbi several months ago. The week before he had asked me several difficult questions about my desire to pursue Judaism, and I had been near tears while expressing my answers. The following week I walked into the Hebrew class calm and in a pleasant mood. After the lesson was through and we were packing our things to leave, he asked how I was doing. When I told him simply, "

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-41643620119779793022008-05-02T16:46:00.004-04:002008-05-02T17:33:21.427-04:00

Observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day began at sunset last night. The Holocaust was such a mind-boggling occurrence, I don't know that I could ever blog anything that would do justice to those who perished or who survived it. Because of that, I won't try to blog anything at all.For more information, please go to one of the following sites:Hanefesh.comHatikvah Holocaust Education CenterYad

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-47317396930732944962008-05-01T18:17:00.003-04:002008-05-01T18:34:15.167-04:00

I was riding down the road today and passed a business sign...one of those with the removeable letters that you can change to read different messages. This one read something along the lines of "I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. John 14:18." (Of course I just googled this to make sure I was right. ;))An interesting thing is happening inside me...I read that, and the first thing

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-82323179583625160922008-04-29T17:57:00.005-04:002008-04-29T18:20:07.066-04:00

In which I carry on about absolutely random things in a stream-of-consciousness style. I have just finished reading posts from a forum which is full of animus. I realize that people will be themselves, only more so, on the Internet. However, are we all really so touchy over supposed slights against virtual friends? The hatefulness I just wasted time perusing was enough to depress anyone, much

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-31229805881759213902008-04-24T16:50:00.006-04:002008-04-24T16:57:18.476-04:00

I was just ambling my way through the J-blogosphere today when I found a post from Jack about The Great Matzah Shortage of 2008. Maybe this is some explanation of why I could not for the life of me find matzah l'Pesach.LOS ANGELES — To the lengthening list of comestible problems befalling our nation, add this: a matzo shortage. From coast to coast, a shortfall of the unleavened flat cracker

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-22807385070574267652008-04-22T17:36:00.004-04:002008-04-22T18:05:45.062-04:00

ברוך אתה ה' א‑לוהינו מלך העולם, דיין האמת."Blessed are You, LORD, our God, King of the universe, the True Judge." My aunt passed away this morning after a long illness.

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-63565776055797415202008-04-20T17:57:00.002-04:002008-04-20T18:02:27.737-04:00

Oh, what I wouldn't give for a nice golden brown roll...or a slice of deep-dish pizza...or a nice pound cake!Yes, I'm trying to avoid the chametz for Passover. We're on day two, and I'm munching on matzo and daydreaming of springier, crustier, flakier, and softer bread foods. ~sigh~ Even though I'm empathizing with those ancient predecessors, I'd really rather be enjoying my usual foods. Speaking

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-80114980446270132572008-04-17T21:34:00.003-04:002008-04-17T21:46:16.993-04:00

Ah, the joys (and oys) of living Jewishly in a small Southern town. I began a search for matzoh a week or two ago, with the start of the Passover sale fliers for the local chain groceries. I knew several simply wouldn't have them...our local Walmart, for instance, used to have a very small amount of shelf space devoted to Manischevitz products, but no more! My mother had an "authentic" Passover

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-81153105979475615702008-04-10T21:04:00.003-04:002008-04-10T21:20:09.277-04:00

I'm sure every parent has looked down into their child's face as a sleeping infant and wanted for them the best, the least difficult, the most perfect life. I've read more than one article which was based on the premise that babies bring a spiritual reawakening into the home along with their first breath. I can't say that my spiritual reawakening was instantaneous, but there's nothing like the

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-48373914656711318702008-04-08T21:33:00.002-04:002008-04-08T22:13:03.039-04:00

1. Orthodox Judaism (100%) 2. Reform Judaism (96%) 3. Islam (95%) 4. Sikhism (91%) 5. Bahá'í Faith (89%) 6. Liberal Quakers (70%) 7. Orthodox Quaker (68%) 8. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (65%) 9. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (64%) 10. Jainism (59%) 11. Unitarian Universalism (57%) 12. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (54%) 13. Seventh Day

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-40514908525140613512008-04-06T20:49:00.002-04:002008-04-06T21:11:36.968-04:00

As with everything else in my gradually Jewish life, going kosher is neither easy nor quick. Being raised "Southern country," ham, pork, and bacon are staples of the kitchen. Red-eye country ham, crispy fried bacon, sausage, battered pork chops...not to mention the things that are made with lard, or the meat meals that are covered in melted cheese or white sauce.I have to admit I do enjoy seafood

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-67226685506960615102008-03-31T17:55:00.000-04:002008-03-31T17:56:17.218-04:00

This blog is a bit of a departure from my normal religious meanderings, but I'm not in the mood to try to unravel more threads today. Thus I'm going to blog a little boring piece about Jblogs (ie, Jewish blogs).My darling dear is currently away for training, which leaves me with more time to myself after the children are put to bed, or while they're playing peacefully. Although I miss him

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-21581689500122861982008-03-27T20:05:00.005-04:002008-03-27T20:20:33.121-04:00

Mark Fish is a recent convert to Judaism.“I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home,” explains Fish. “You were not allowed to challenge the Bible. Asking questions was not encouraged. Answers were given to you as fact. And this was a major problem for me.”Fish, who participated with a “Jews for Jesus” evangelical group, was introduced to Judaism through efforts in converting Jews to

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-80183075630731192502008-03-24T16:23:00.005-04:002008-03-24T16:44:28.885-04:00

These are some questions I found on a JBC's Jblog: tikkunger.com . I felt that they were important for me to be able to answer, and so I am posting the questions along with my personal thoughts. As I continue learning and deciding what I believe, I'm sure my answers will evolve. I may decide to revisit them in the future, just to compare. As a potential convert are you prepared to raise any

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-76916632851574436962008-03-18T18:21:00.002-04:002008-03-18T18:28:16.361-04:00

The more I read the blogs of others converting to Judaism, those who have converted, or Jews by birth...the more I read books on Jewish heritage, Jewish history, Jewish thought, and Jewish practice...the more I am around others who were born Jewish and raised Jewish and who live Jewishly...the more I yearn to learn. I realize just how much I don't know, how much I need to learn, how much there is

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-77629204174058568822008-03-14T15:31:00.002-04:002008-03-14T15:45:47.866-04:00

A friend and I were talking today, and the topic of celebrating holidays of different religions came up. Being agnostic, she couldn't understand that I would be less than thrilled to give up a celebration, but would choose to do so because of conversion. In her words, "I don't see why it has to be so black and white...why can't you take what you like from all religions and create your own

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-14676971782009607192008-03-11T10:20:00.003-04:002008-03-11T10:45:54.852-04:00

Why would someone who seems so settled, so grounded, so rooted in their beliefs suddenly toss it all out the window and begin again, nearly from scratch? I don't know the answer to that. I couldn't tell you what it was that made me suddenly question Jesus as the Messiah, although I can tell you that having someone knowledgeable question your beliefs is a sure cause for self-reflection if you are

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8680975830772814478.post-91203794199303661302008-03-10T18:56:00.000-04:002008-03-10T19:16:52.277-04:00

A new blog...as much as I enjoy talking, you would think I would be bursting with wise and witty things to say about myself on this "crisp, white" page...but I'm doing a lot more pausing and thinking than I expected.Well, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rivkah. I am a confused person, as many of us seem to be. :) I am also a daughter, a wife, a mother, and a friend. Professionally, I'm a

Rivkahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279613660565646478noreply@blogger.com0