#fromgoy2joy asks

[fromgoy2joy]

This may be very blunt, but how did you find a Jewish community to surround yourself with? I live overseas atm and am in an English school with people from all over the world, but have yet to meet a Jewish person(that I know of) nor am I near a synagogue. It’s been difficult as someone in the midst of trying to convert properly because I have no one to celebrate Shabbat with or help me out 😞. I was wondering if you knew how to find community as you post about your friends from time to time.

Hey- this ask really rattled me and I'm heartbroken that this is the case for you. That is so tough and I can't even imagine how that's been in this tumultuous time. If you're overseas atm, I'd suggest looking at where you plan to live in the future, and seeing jewish options there. Because that's where the conversion journey will start- in a community with people who will care about you deeply. So, if you can, situate yourself where you can find a decently sized jewish community in the future. That might mean changing future plans, but hey! This is a huge life change!

In the meantime, I'd suggest doing some deep study- very very deep- so that once you officially start the process, you'll be prepared. Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Telushkin is a good starting place (as mixed of a book as it can be sometimes lol) and "choosing a jewish life" is always a favorite. Sefaria is what my rabbi describes as the "single best thing to ever happen to jewish study in 3 thousand years" (there's some truth in that- ) .

In the meanwhile, the heartache is real. If you can, join services on zoom in your time zone to get used to the rhythm of the community, torah studies on zoom, try to get into online Jewish circles to gain perspective (don't go in like you know everything ofc!). You're on an important step of the journey before conversion where you can set yourself up in the best way possible,

the way it worked out for me was that I showed up to the Jewish community's shabbat dinner, scared out of my wits, and was immeadiately embraced at my college. The jewish community is across the city so I've come to know people from all walks of life and communities. It's an amazing experience and I wish it for you so much

If you want, you can reach out to me if you need more help. I don't have all the answers, I’m not an expert but I can do my best to assist based on my knowledge of the specific process I have and other connections I have.

#jewish convert #jewblr #fromgoy2joy thoughts #fromgoy2joy asks #jewish conversion #jewish tumblr #jumblr #jewish conversion journey

[bubbbeleh]

hi! hope this is an OK ask and I don’t mind if this gets posted for others to see links or if you’d prefer to message me privately, I’m trying to do my own research but struggling to find solid sources and not sure if I’m using the right keywords, I saw a post of yours that said JVP has platformed a known anti-semite (I’m reading up about Amin al-Husseini now to learn more about him) and that they are generally not a positive representation for the Jewish community. I’ve followed them on Instagram for a few years with very little interactions with their posts but have definitely taken in what they’ve shared from time to time and thought of them as a positive source. Are you able to send me any helpful articles/essays/posts or just whatever about why they aren’t and do you have any recommendations for other organisations and groups to support? thank you :)

hi! sorry for the long delay. i hope youre still doing your own research and aren’t relying on social media for news. i want to preface this by saying that i'm not in the US or in an area where JVP is active (that I know of) so there are definitely other people who know more about this.

JVP is a *fringe* organisation, self proclaimed jewish anti-zionists and everyone's favourite group to point to when trying to argue that anti-zionism =/= antisemitism.

unfortunately, they have a long history of promoting antisemitism. here are a few examples:

As for organisations to recommend: all of my amazing jewish mutuals have shared resources on standing together, the parents circle, truah and combatants for peace, just to name a few.

these are grassroots organisations, at heart working towards a peaceful solution for both israelis and palestinians, demanding a ceasefire, the return of the hostages and the end of war and violence. neither group is going anywhere and every single person deserves to live in peace. something that both hamas and the current israeli government have in common is that they do not want peace for everyone.

please continue to do your own research, check your sources and remember that seeing everyone as human is the first step in the right direction.

also quick shoutout to @fromgoy2joy for helping me find comprehensive lists

#ask box #fuck jvp #judaism #jumblr #jewish #eden talks #tw antisemitism #i/p #standing together #combatants for peace #t’ruah #the parents circle #palestine #israel #bracing myself for the response to this one

[fromgoy2joy]

your protest story is really giving down with the cis bus energy lmao im soooo sure that happened

Listen, if you don't believe me after I included an audio clip in the reblog? I don't... really care? I'm glad this sounds so completely implausible to you- have fun, my guy.

#fromgoy2joy thoughts #fromgoy2joy asks #jumblr #tw antisemitism #tw antisemtism #antisemitism

[fromgoy2joy]

Okay so re: that student in French class

1) wtf

2) tell your friend I need to borrow their bat

Jokes aside, I genuinely hope someone in that class has got your back.

Thank you!! And logically I know I should be more pissed off about this , but again, lack of Jewish rage kicking in. I do have to work more on being angry, which is quite a sentence to say.

And no, I don’t think anyone even saw it and i have no proof it was a targeted thing. It actually makes me upset that a symbol of palestenian sovereignty was used to “scare” a random Jewish student like myself. But I really thank you for the support

#fromgoy2joy asks #fromgoy2joy thoughts #jumblr #jewish #jewish convert #tw antisemtism #antisemitism

[fromgoy2joy]

In your previous life, were you the kind of Catholic who would do the cross sign whenever they heard about a tragedy or just something appalling? If so, do you ever feel the urge to do it nowadays?

I love this question so much for several reasons. First of all, thank you so much for giving me the phrase "in my previous life" because I feel like that so so much describes what it's been like.

So to answer this question, my cultural catholicism is kind of a bitch to deal with (for my personal sadness reasons with my family and how it doesn't jive with me). So there's stuff that sticks with me that I have to unpack, no matter how much I want to throw the whole suitcase away .

I was actually not the kind of person to do the sign of the cross. But what I DID do was that whenever I was startled, I would loudly say "Jesus Christ! My lord and savior!"

... which I almost find worse than a little tiny sign of the cross.

I tripped over myself at a Jewish event, and I loudly exclaimed this out of shock and habit. Luckily everyone was understanding and very kind about it, but just,,,

I remember. And I am embarrassed.

Luckily, my Catholicism fun facts are good party tricks. So does that make it worth it? I don't know, it's all part of the journey.

#jumblr #jewish #jewish convert #jewblr #jewish tumblr #fromgoy2joy thoughts #fromgoy2joy asks #jewish conversion #ex catholic to jewish convert specifically #tw christianity #tw catholicism

[fromgoy2joy]

Hi! I have been off and on about my converion for a few years. My biggest road block is when I am asked by Rabbi’s or others “what is your reason for converting?”. My answers always seem off putting to the asker (jewish theology resonates with me, jewish ancestry, a love for jewish philosophy and torah principles). I wanted to ask how did you answer and navigate this question at the beginning of your journey?

hello hello! This is such a fascinating question that will merit a *long* response, so sit down, make yourself comfortable, get some tea etc. Sorry for making you wait, but I thought this would be a good post for me to reflect on on a Shabbat I can’t observe. (Family thingz and drama eek)

I entered the Jewish community in a somewhat unconventional way. As a college student, I decided to convert after years of thinking about it and a lifetime of longing for it.

I could go into a whole tangent about that, but short story. I’ve always felt pulled to Judaism and I always tried to fix myself into being a good Catholic girl. One of my earliest memories at 6 was being told to name my stuffed monkey after a saint and I chose Moses for her. Because I wanted her (and me) to be Jewish.

So after years of self torment, I entered college, pretty sure that I was going to convert but completely unknowing of how to start. But school started in September- it was all high holidays and that’s like bursting in on Christmas (not accurate portrayal but from a cultural Christian POV.) I kept on making excuses.

It was a little revelation I had to myself on a seemingly innocuous Friday night. That if if all religion is “disproven” tomorrow, I would still want to practice these traditions, and pass it down to my children. I would still want to be apart of this community and follow the philosophies.

That night was October 6th.

Then I woke up on October 7th and my world had completely shaken. I can’t even put the words into how I felt- it was as if I had blown out the candles of a birthday cake joyfully, unknowing of the darkness I was letting in.

I wept at the constantly playing news. I went to memorial services at local synagogues and struggled through (and got better at ) the Hebrew. I stopped all ham consumption and started to attempt at keeping kosher. And I started going to the Jewish life room provided by our university more and more often.

No one would be in there in the odd times I’d come in, but I started to read “Judaism for Dummies” on their somewhat uncomfortable couch. I was delighted to see that it was too simplistic for me, that there was so much I already knew. Then I moved on to the more complex books about Jewish literacy, philosophy and stories to get more well rounded. But that’s a hard place to start where I know about intense philosophical questions but not the Shema.

I really got involved in the community. I went constantly to shabbats, introduced myself to people around and met with leaders. I went to rabbis’ houses and played with their children. I got involved in advocacy. I walked to a minyan on a Friday night a mile off in the rain. I learnt prayers and butchered the pronunciation.

By the time I actually sat down with my converting rabbi, I’d been immersed in Jewish life for around 3 months.

So I covered bases with him- how I felt about Judaism, how I had learnt and practiced my faith in the limited time I had, but most of all how I had gone through hell and back with the Jewish people and how I never wanted to leave them.

(And then I got assigned 600 pages of reading. So success but at what cost? Just kidding just kidding!

My recommendation to you is- as much as you can- immerse yourself in Jewish community. Make it to prayer services. Help out. And if they ask the “who, what, why, where, when” on your conversion, you don’t have to over-explain. Just smile and say “oh it’s a long story, but this feels like home. “

Because that’s what Judaism is to me - and what it sounds like for you too. Home.

You’ll refine your answers to the other hard questions later. It sound like you already have those answers and your “why” .But making yourself at home here is what I’d (from my experience) recommend you focus on.

#fromgoy2joy thoughts #fromgoy2joy asks #jumblr #jewish #jewish convert #ex catholic to jewish convert specifically #tw October 7 #October 7 #jewblr #jewish convert perspective #jewish conversion #jewish conversion journey #jewish joy

[fromgoy2joy]

GIRL im getting a hillel coffee today 😂 i'm nervous cause this is my first time speaking to one of the mentors and i'm extremely socially anxious but this is also an important positive step for me building a relationship with judaism & jewish students. we love hillel!

Yes!!! I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH- hillel coffees are the way of the world. Build those relationships over wonderful little drinks and show up to events for more free stuff- and by free stuff I mean good friends you'll keep for the rest of your life. As well as Hillel socks and pop sockets (both things I'm wearing right now).

#jewish #fromgoy2joy thoughts #fromgoy2joy asks

[fromgoy2joy]

I want a shitty heartfelt drawing too 👀

#fromgoy2joy asks #fromgoy2joy art

[fromgoy2joy]

awkward goy here, the boops disappeared whilst tender sleep was upon mine brow so i hope you will accept my spiritual boop instead

(=ↀωↀ=)つ *boop*

much love

Awww thank you 😭🥺🥺

Spiritual boop received 🐾🐾🐾🐾

#fromgoy2joy asks #jumblr

[fromgoy2joy]

as an awkward goy who has wanted to convert for so many years and feels unreasonably warm and happy whenever i get to learn about anything jewish but is currently too scared to do anything about it, i humbly ask for your permission to boop

You’re finding your way home!

Boop!!

#fromgoy2joy asks #fromgoy2joy thoughts

[fromgoy2joy]

ENABLE BOOPS IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN SPAM YOU

BOOP

#fromgoy2joy asks

[fromgoy2joy]

I just want to say that I love all your posts. From commentary on exactly how many opinions 2 Jews are likely to have, to random Shabbos stories, to the way you treat antisemitism (I am exactly the same way), to perspectives on basic things I'd never considered before. You really are a joy to interact with

This is so so sweet , I’m going to cry 🥹🥹

#fromgoy2joy thoughts #jumblr #jewish #jewblr #jewish conversion #jewish convert #fromgoy2joy asks

[fromgoy2joy]

✨✨✨here to sprinkle some JEWISH JOY into your inbox✨✨✨

I’m being sprinkled!!! Aghhh!!

Thank you!!!

#fromgoy2joy asks #jumblr #jewish #jewblr

[fromgoy2joy]

what’s your favorite color?

I am absolutely obsessed with the color red. I love it and wear it all the time, and not even purposefully. Yesterday, I wore a red sweater, red purse, red backpack and red shoes.

#fromgoy2joy asks

[fromgoy2joy]

I hope you're having a good day

Waited to answer this when my day was over. Overall I had a pretty good one! Just emailed the rabbi I am converting with if I could write essays for him, because my mind is buzzing with Jewish thoughts tm. I had a wonderful Tu BiShvat, with plenty of dried fruit and nuts.

Apparently liking dates is a necessary part of jewish conversion? who knew? (JKJK)

But all in all- great day and I hope you had one too :)

#fromgoy2joy asks #tu bishvat #happy tu bishvat!

[fromgoy2joy]

I FORGOR TO BOOP NOOOO

wait you don't allow images in asks

boop ฅ

Go eat !!!!

#fromgoy2joy asks #boop