Category Archives: Converting to Judaism

Kosher Sex by Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was the first book I read about Judaism, so it should have seemed natural that when I was converting I had a big talk with my Rabbi about sex. Instead it came as a … Continue reading →

A few days after my thirtieth birthday, I woke up with intense back pain. Had I gone rock climbing and suffered a great fall? Spent the night at a dance marathon? No. All I did was turn 30, and my … Continue reading →

I’m 28, single and Jewish in Chicago. Like most single Jewish women, that means JDate, JCC events, and being set up by well-meaning friends. What sets me apart, is that I’m also a JBC—a Jew by Choice. I started studying … Continue reading →

The day I moved into my condo, just two blocks from my synagogue, my rabbi came over to help me hang my mezuzah. Nine months later, when my first mezuzah was stolen, I was able to hang a new one … Continue reading →

“Leah, it doesn’t have to be so sexy.” That’s my cantor for you. She knows that I’m 29, going on 13, and she can say things differently to me than she does the normal bat mitzvah student. “Okay, this is … Continue reading →

I didn’t have a job when I walked across the stage at my college graduation. At parties that night, I told my friends, “I have three choices. I can go into industry and actually use my chemistry degree. I can … Continue reading →

In the summer of 2005, I was given two options by the PR agency where I was temping. Go temp-to-perm and become an Administrative Assistant or take an internship and begin a career in PR. I polled family, friends, and … Continue reading →

As the holidays rolled around this year, I found myself a bit more teary eyed than I expected. My mom and I were doing Thanksgiving at a Chinese restaurant and there wasn’t a turkey in site. For comfort, I made … Continue reading →

As a liberal, single Jewish woman, it would be very tempting to brush off Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s teachings. After all, he is a Hassidic rabbi—what could he possibly have to say to me about my life? About five years ago, … Continue reading →