Are Jewish Converts Really Accepted? 🤔 - My REACTION, 3 Years Later 🫣
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- Опубліковано 8 тра 2024
- FINALLY doing this…! Sharing my reactions to my most popular video to date, “Are Jewish Converts Really Accepted? 🤔” B”H I can’t believe how much I’ve changed since I made this video and it was a fun throwback to watch it again.
- Meorah
Good video...always remember we Jews are taught from a very young age to hold the convert in high esteem. That what the story of Ruth is all about.
What you say sounds nice and is the halachic ideal but real life is different. I am almost 70 years of age and knowing a convert was rare; perhaps I met a handful before I went to college. People were not kind. Women gossiped that the shiksa converted only to get married. Today there has been an explosion of converts to Judaism and they are widely accepted in that stream's circle. However there are many unsolved issues. In some Reform congregations, at a typical Friday night service, almost all the people there are either converts, or the children or grandchildren of converts or of mixed parents. Because Orthodoxy does not accept Reform conversions or patrilineal descent, many Reform Jews are not seen as Jewish by the Orthodox.
@stephenfisher3721 I stated this is what is taught and the ideal. Of course in the real world people are people and may not live up to the teaching.
I’m an observant born Jew and the Orthodox are not the end all be all as to who is Jewish. Nor is Orthodoxy the only way to be Jewish.
@@SJ-ru4ej that may be true, but there’s only one true conversion to Judaism and that’s an orthodox conversion. This does not mean one must live in orthodox life, But to believe in the law of the Torah and our Sages. Converting to Reform Judaism or all the kinds, this is a new thing, & you’re joining a culture not our Jewish nation. an orthodox conversion is the only true conversion.
@@HowlingWo1f Respectfully, I disagree. For one, an Orthodox rabbi won't do a conversion for someone who they don't believe is committed to living a fully Orthodox life, permanently. A lot of people convert with other denominations because they don't/can't live within walking distance of a shul and want to live SOME type of Jewish life. I know an Orthodox convert and she was able to get a condo within walking distance of the Chabad rabbi she converted with... She paid a lot of money for that.
I also know a few converts who did through Reform and Conservative and they had to attend shul, keep Shabbos, have a fully Kosher kitchen, learn to read, write and speak SOME Hebrew... I just think it depends on how the conversion is being done.
Orthodox converts are also held to standards that born Jews are not. If an Orthodox convert drove to shul on Shabbat, it would be a whole thing, yet born Jews do it all the time and no one says a word. Converts are often more observant than born Jews.
I see so much of myself in you. I also converted conservative a few years ago, and have since started an orthodox conversion. It's refreshing to hear someone else acknowledge "I just wasn't ready for that lifestyle change." Sometimes I feel this arbitrary pressure to finish my conversion as fast as possible, because otherwise people may look at me and think "It's taken her so many years, she must not be very dedicated." Which is silly! The fear of this imaginary count-down is definitely there, but it's so reassuring to see someone who took their time and came out happy at the end.
I think an Orthodox conversion is overrated. It would be interesting to know more about the history of the conversion process before there was this distinction of Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. Also, although I am a great supporter of Israel and Zionism, and have made Aliyah, and live in Israel, the political considerations now surrounding the Who Is A Jew issue in Israel have for sure messed with conversion.
I would bet that as recent as a few hundred years ago, that conversion to Judaism just involved an interview to determine the sincereity of the convert, and a trip to the Mikvah. Not much more than that.
So, conversion is really between you and G-d, some knowledge of Judaism, which you likely already have, and a dip in a Mikva, which can also be done at the beach. As with everything else, relying too much on appointed authority is a mixed bag of advantages and disadvantages.
...and to me, you are already as Jewish as it gets. But then there is Jewish growth and study, which is endless in its depth and scope.
All in Divine timing! 😊 I realize now how personal the timeline is-and ought to be! I wanted the lifestyle change very much and started my conservative process as I became observant but I wasn’t ready to broach the people/community aspect of Judaism. I’m glad I got here, even if it took so long. ❤️ B’hatzlaha on your beautiful journey!
@@allenmoses110
I do not agree with you. Judaism was never an easy religion to convert to. And converts always had that lable on them- Ruth and Tzipora for example. That is a life time journey and a life time taste. I am not trying to discourage anyone, it is just the way it is. Judaism never meant to be a vast practiced religion. It is always has been an exclusive religion for selected people. The "Am nivhar" (עם נבחר). It is possible to convert but it is never an easy journey and ever a life time journey, and that is true also for born- Jewish people as well.
I am very grateful that I have been welcomed in every Jewish space I have been in so far. I also look incredibly frum and sometimes blend in too well. We (my fiancé and I) are currently searching for the right Rabbi to walk us through the conversion process.
Look incredibly frum but not Jewish?
Are you Amish?
A "Jew of color" is kind of ridiculous since most Jews are not considered "white" in the first place -- especially in Israel. I think we need to emphasize unity, not divisiveness. Glad you have changed and glad you are a member of the "tribe". I watched some of your videos and love your attitude. You are an asset to the Jewish people.
there is no such thing as Jew of Color. There is no difference between an Ethiopian and a Moroccan or a German (maybe in food.)
Yes. I don’t like that comment “ Jews of color “ either.
European Jews are White. Why non Indo European Russians, Finns and Hungarians are White Europeans, but European Jews aren't? Please explain. As per considering, who cares who considers what. The Japanese were also honorary Aryans for Nazis. It's not a science, just a political interest.
@@grigoriyk5369 you seem to be obsessed with race like a member of NSDAP. Jews are Jews. We are not "white' or "black" or "Yellow" or any other color "race" you want to pretend has a definition. Jews who came from Europe are originally from Iraq (according to the Bible) and from Ugarit (according to archeology.) We lived in Medina, we lived in Madrid, we lived in Moscow, we lived in Milan, and we lived in Modiin. Our national home is Israel not Iceland.
@@grigoriyk5369 I am from Lithuanian holocaust survivors, I am Ashkenazi but I am not white. You just may be a little racist
As a convert who also chose a non-Orthodox conversion for complex and nuanced reasons, I deeply appreciate the way you handled this. That is a unique circumstance that plenty of Jews do not understand, and your understanding of its messiness and complexity is validating.
צדיקה! פשוט צדיקה. לא רק שגרים מראים ליהודים אחרים את יופיה של השבט והתורה שלנו, את גם מראה כמה טבעי ובריא זה שיהודי חי בארץ ישראל!
יישר כח!
אני גם מאמין שהיא עדיין עושה עבודה מצוינת, אבל בימים אלה זה הפך לאופנתי שאנשים ישפטו את העם שלנו, בגלל המלחמה בין ישראל לחמאס.
Yes! There is no monolithic view on just about anything. By and large it is accepted. I am in the process of conversion. The Shul accepts me.
Accidently deleted a longer comment so short and sweet I 'll just say I love you and love that you share your beautiful journey with us! ♥️
I relate to this video SOO MUCH! There's so much overlap here with my personal experience and I really appreciate this response to your own video!
I also converted non-Orthodox and I can say, in retrospect, that some of what I believed/felt came from a defensive place, or that "chip on your shoulder". Back then I would never have even considered converting again via an Orthodox conversion.
But over the last couple of years, I've started to really work on taking on more Mitzvot/being more observant, and I didn't notice until later, but my perspective on things started to shift. It was then that I started to realize "oh, well maybe I could/should be more open to an Orthodox conversion". It was when I started up my Jewish observance, I began to understand how important communal recognition/acceptance really is.
Anyway, I'll stop here. Thank you for being so open with your story! It really helps other people (like me) feel seen.
Excellent. I watched your earlier video (via your channel) and have understood this one how you have changed. I am elderly and most likely could not manage a conversion, but the more I have learned of Judaism the more I have become interested. Of late I have been looking into the Noachide Principles, which might have to be a "substitute" (to speak casually and possibly not correctly) for someone like me.
It's great that you shared this more mature update. I think a lot of the issues you mentioned are feelings anyone who is new to a group could feel. I've travelled to other countries and felt like an outsider for my language, skin color, or what I was wearing. It's not necessarily about being a convert, but just being a new person to a group of people that have all known each other for a long time. Every community prays differently, has different melodies, different dress codes, etc and unless you grew up there, you can feel like you're different - which is ok.
That’s a great point! Anything tied to Jewish identity is so weighty though that I was more burdened by not feeling like I belonged as a Jew than feeling like an outsider in other areas of my life. I can’t express how relieved I am to be over those growing pains. I finally feel at peace now, just being who I am!
Dear Meorah, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. It is an honor to be able to witness your beautiful and amazing journey. I could not but notice how different and more beautiful you look in your current video, and how much more Jewish aura you seem to exude! May Hashem continue to bless you until eterenity.
Great Video. Thank you for sharing.
hiiii 👋🏾 in the process of orthodox conversion with my family. thank you for sharing and your honesty. I get what you meant by person of color but it is definitely an American thing/ideology. Before whoever it was came up with “race” to classify/justify, people were identified by their ethnicity, culture, community, the region they came from etc. but anyways I appreciate how you’re able to reflect on where you were and are now. may Hashem bless you as you continue on ❤ Shabbat shalomm
Good luck with process
Thanks! b’hatzlaha 🥰
I'm a Protestant Christian in 🇬🇧 who'd love to convert to Masorti Judaism. Great video. Baruch Hashem. 🔯
I have a friend who did that long ago. :) Welcome.
18 years till your final conversion - now that's "חי" (life), a beautiful link to rebirth into life as a Jew, wow!
מזל טוב 🎉❤
You are the child of Sarah and Abraham how can you not be in high esteem❤
10000% accepted and loved. In my community converts we’re leaders and highly respected. ❤✡️
you wish.
😂😂
very interesting video! I'm very glad that I subscribed to you. I always enjoy listening and watching. I myself live in Russia but hope to someday repatriate to Israel.
Being a white Jew, it’s also weird. In Europe we were not white. In 1920s in America we didn’t blend in either. Now that the tables turned and white people are viewed as oppressors, we are all of a sudden the whitest ones. I guess everyone has their own pain. Also, European Jews have been slaughtered so much to the point they almost disappeared. I don’t know for sure, but taking into account the Holocaust, we probably have been genocided the most. And now we are oppressors. Literally, whenever someone says, Israel is a white colonial state, the answer is: “well, most people in Israel are not white”. This is true, but what if most people in Israel were white, then what? Are white Jews delegitimizing israel only because of their skin color?
💯 it’s not “most Israelis are non white” bc ALL Israelis are non white
Why European Jews aren't White? What is "White" then? And who is? Israel isn't a White colonial state. But there's nothing wrong about being one even if it were.
@@grigoriyk5369 Ashkenazi jews originally came from Judea and almost exclusively married each other. To this day DNA results show more in comment between Ashkenazi Jews and Sephardi Jews than Ashkenazi Jews and Europeans. Jews were never considered white until recently and Ashkenazi Jews for the most part had nothing to do with European culture and were often confined to ghettos and had laws that kept them from mingling with non Jews. It doesn’t matter what you label them, Jews, Judean, converts we all call ourselves the same thing we all have more culture and genetics in common than not. There are many mizrahi jews that look “white” and many Ashkenazi Jews that look “brown”. Yeah there’s nothing wrong with being white except for that if we have to suffer with man made racial differences then Jews are Jews they’re not white.
@@grigoriyk5369 European Jews are white, technically. But we were not white eligible for a long time. European Jews definitely have distinct features from Europeans. “Looking Jewish” was a thing in Europe, even though, some Jews “didn’t look Jewish”.
If Jews in Europe had been Christian, they would've been as White as snow. Jews in Europe weren't persecuted because of their race. And in the begining of 20th century a term "race" meant what we now call "ethnicity". They used to say Teutonic race etc. So they implied what's now ethnicity. So a Nazi term race (Rasse) is simply misunderstood nowadays. And who is an Aryan in today's Europe? Asian Hungarians?
I watched this video a few years ago and it helped me understand how complex this journey might become. Im glad that you shared your long and continuing story about your conversion. Im glad you returned to Israel, a second time and found it becoming home for you. At this time
i have be praying for lsrael and now for you to stay safe in an actual war zone. It is painful to see and hear and even more so now it has become impossible to not see the west’s antisemitism flare up here in north America. I thought naively that we had grown beyond that…
This might be your best video. Your comments and reflections are insightful and spot-on. Am Israel is lucky to have you.
Very interesting video. I did a Conservative conversion more than 45 years ago now. At the time, it was the only option where I lived, although my rabbi was wise enough to take us to an Orthodox beit din and mikvah in a neighboring state in the US where I received an Orthodox conversion certificate. I made aliyah seven years ago and wanted to marry here in Israel. However, the Rabbinate did not recognize my Orthodox conversion because records couldn't be confirmed since it was a private Orthodox Beit Din and performed before computers were in use and tracking of these things more standardized. I also did a second Orthodox conversion here in Bnei Brak and am very glad to have had that experience. I find two layers of acceptance into Am Israel. First, it's impossible to be halachically Jewish without a recognized Orthodox conversion. Ironically to me, it felt much harder to feel totally one with the Jewish community outside of Israel. I cannot begin to count the number of "who's your daddy-what was your maiden name-where did your grandparents come from" conversations, sometimes peppered with, "your don't look Jewish" comments. That kind of examination is almost non-existent in my experience here in Israel-maybe that's because you have already had to jump through some hoops to make aliyah so you are already "in". Even though I have lived my life as a Jew, I felt unquestionably Jewish after my Orthodox conversion in Israel, and especially after casting my lot with the people of Israel by making aliyah and going through the hard times together as a united people, experiences like the current war.
You have an incredible amount of self-awareness and wisdom, especially for someone so young. 😊 Thank you so much for sharing this.
I've been following you for four years and am always so baffled by how we seem to be growing and changing in similar ways. Also started out with a conservative conversion and am now at the finish line of an Orthodox conversion. Former user of woke language who is fearlessly stepping into my authenticity by *compassionately* saying what I think. Hope to cross paths with you one day, I really think we'd vibe!
What a glow up!❤
Really interesting to hear your views and thanks for sharing! May Hashem bless you always, Shabbat Shalom.
Thank you for sharing, you have a wonderful story!
Toda Raba for this wonderful video! As there are very few Korean converts on UA-cam, please consider yourself the "Moshe Rabbeinu of Korean Converts", a pioneer, a humble servant of HaShem and fearless leader, helping to lead lost Koreans out of their own personal Mitzrayim of Christianity, Buddhism, Atheism, or whatever their prior background may be before realizing their Jewish identity. Eventually, there will be thousands, perhaps millions of Koreans interested in conversion who will look up to you for being the first Korean to convert, make aliyah, and to document the experience on UA-cam.
It would be great if you could post videos as often as possible. Please keep in mind the many Koreans in the future that will want to convert and would appreciate everything you do now. Most Koreans are born into christian idolatry or atheism so when a Korean has the inner calling to explore Judaism and has nothing in their immediate physical reality to validate that desire, they need people like you to show them that yes, Koreans can be Jews. My parents and siblings still insist that I am Korean, not Jewish, and can never be Jew.
May HaShem continue to bless you, Meorah, and keep you healthy, happy, and holy!
There are a number of Koreans that come to Israel to convert Jews to Christianity. Why do you think that is?
this is such a good video, thank you for making it.
also you should totally follow asian jews like amy albertson if you're on social media. there are even mixed korean born jews, etc on socials doing activism to show how diverse our community is. it's so important to see how we are a rainbow of a people. converts contribute to that and help us continue as a people too. ty for talking about the concept of poc, etc. jews have never been european or white even if we have pale skin socially and being judean isn't being european, we're levantine. the whole race ranking thing is so depressing because we have experienced so much hate as a people for never belonging in the places we were dispersed to because of diaspora and this is a way that many non jewish poc have ranked themselves over us oppressionwise to silence us honestly. thank you for mentioning this.
i appreciate you talking about your previous biases and reacting to this older video and telling your story. thank you for being vulnerable with us. love to you, my family member!!!
I've been following your channel for years now and your story is truly inspiring. While I don't see myself going down an orthodox route, I admire your dedication to follow the mitzvahs set by Hashem. As a "poc", I feel like I also struggle with my identity, especially when I combine it with my Jewishness (although I'm not officially converted, I've been practicing in Jewish spaces for years now and am often accepted point blank). And considering Jewish history is one full of expulsion and diaspora, it shouldn't be such a surprise that Jews of all colours and ethnicities exist. And it's great to hear Israel is home to such a diverse and enriched culture! I pray that you and fellow Israelis stay safe during these turbulent times.
I appreciate the retrospective. There are ideas I had that I am learning more about over time e.g. the relationship between the Nation and People in general.
5:53 as a religious Jew I feel very self-conscious in an unfamiliar synagogue, especially if it's Hereidi or non-Ashkenazi. An Ashkenazi sticks out in a Mizrahi synagogue and vice versa. Although we might look the same to people raised outside, we can see the physical differences and hear the difference in accent.
Also the way religious Jews dress is unique in the world. Jews come in all shapes and colors, so at least I personally recognize people as Jewish based on the clothing. Even if the unique Jewish articles of clothing are absent, I can still tell by the style. That's most likely why you're perceived as Jewish even if your face looks Korean.
You look like a serious person! ❤
Your journey is beautiful!
Wow Meorah I love your videos so much. My best friend's mother was a convert and it made no difference for us. We loved her for what she was as a person.
There is the LEV family, a charming couple of UA-camrs who recently converted and they are about to make ALIYA. I believe you can help them a lot 🙏
My opinion, I went through enough to convert, make your children who chabad reaches out to go through a conversion process equal before acceptance. Not every born Jew was raised Jewish or has half the knowledge of a convert.
Kol Hakavod. Good talk.
Nothing to do with this video but it was so nice to meet you last week at Aroma. You are awesome. And you are home 🥰. ~Shulamit
Just wanted to add be kind to “3 years ago you”, she’s a big part of your journey. That said your self awareness and healthy mental outlook are admirable. The whole blending in thing resonates with me as a baalas teshuva for better or worse.
I heard Aroma has good coffee. Is it better than Starbucks?
@@stephenfisher3721 it’s different. Everything is espresso based so much stronger.
I remember when I first started my conversion journey and hearing other orthodox converts perspectives really put me off from the orthodox world but now that I’m nearing the end of my conservative conversion I’m feeling a shift in myself too. I think it’s all part of the process & growing into your Judaism as tou said.
Most people don't realize how diverse is Orthodoxy. Orthodox Judaism loves to emphasis how they are united in their commitment to halacha. But how similar are Chovevei Torah, Neturei Karta, Satmar, Chabad, Breslov, Orthodox Union, Aguda Israel, Shas, Ponevezh, Carlebach, Riskin, National Religious, and Zvi Yehuda Kook just to name a few?
חודש טוב!
I really enjoyed this reaction, seeing your transformation over the years is very interesting. It makes a lot of sense too, I'm glad you're not hard on yourself.
I'm curious, if I may ask, as a Dati-Leumi Jew, have you had interactions with the Dati-Leumi community? How do you view different sectors of the Jewish world?
I love this video. I’m FFB but it’s really inspiring hearing converts talk about their journey to Judaism. I’m in my 20s and in a chapter of self discovery and trying to find my place within Judaism. I’m looking forward to watching your other videos :)
Thank you!!!
one of the greatest commandments is to accept the ger
Hi, thank you for sharing very informative. Half way through so far and it’s all making sense. I’m 41 non-religious half Ashkenazi originally from Easter Europe, now in U.S. While I know who I am as a human I don’t feel seen or like I fully belong anywhere. I wish I believed in Gd like you to make my Jewish ties stronger.
I'd love to watch a long, thorough video of you comparing living in Israel versus living in the states in relation to everything...
7:42 A nation is a very large extended family. So by default who you are born to determines your nationality, but adoption is also possible. Thus genetics are not identity and not destiny.
Make more videos please. They're always really interesting.
Hey girl! Watching the part about dress was so legit - but also, I think it’s not just converts and BTs - like across the board, levush is such a specific way Jews connect to their communities and I think the reason you still stand by it is because it’s such a normal part of Jewish progression or movement between communities, even for FFBs. Not that we should judge people by it, but like tights or not, the size of a hat brim, what a kippa is made of, sleeve length, hair covering type - these are all ways we’re likely to outwardly display what’s going on within or where we want to be
I watched the whole video. I never considered that an important part of Kabbolas Ol Malchus Shamayim (accepting the Yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven) included accepting the authority of Beis Din and Rabonim (Rabbis). I think it was automatically included in acknowleging the validity of the Masora (chain of transmission of Divine Will). Like it recounts in Ethics of the Fathers: Moshe received the Torah from Hashem on Mt. Sinai, and He transmitted it to Joshua, and He transmitted it to..etc, etc. I somehow seperated the person who was a Rabbi, from the Rabbi who is in 'Rabbi Mode'/Role and giving Daas Torah/P'sak Din. Looking at this with fresh eyes, it seems to be a major shift in Bittul/self-nullification and obedience. Which IS something, and not a part of the Jewish 'personality' AT ALL, we are extremely individualistic/defiant and resist blending into a common consensus (if there IS such a thing, as a 'Jewish Personality'). People are full of paradoxes and ambivalence, and Jews are more People than most). Your adjustments have been huge,, and you've done a terrific job. I'm a BT (Late Bloomer) myself (50 years) and I'm still a Work in Progress.
I am a reform jew, my wife was a Baptist that converted. She is well received.
There maybe a stigma when it comes to conversion into reform Judaism, A new thing, And is a conversion into a Community NOT the overall Jewish nation. Being that it’s extremely problematic when it comes to marriage & future Jewish generations.
But if one has done a orthodox conversion you are 100% a Jew, & This does not mean one must live the orthodox way of Jewish life, or be so-called perfect Jew lol there are many kinds of Jews. But as to the conversion itself the orthodox Torah Way conversion is the only true way to join & be fully accepted by the whole Jewish nation.
A true convert has a Neshma of holiness. & for a Jew to insult or make one feel bad is an incredibly harsh sin. Because We are All Converts at Mount Sinai.
We are proud of you 👍
Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱
Lovely gatekeeping of klal Yisrael. Ortho was a reaction to Reform.
In my opinion, it is much appreciated to be a convert to Judaism cause they have to make so much more effort to become a Jews than born Jews. We don't normally encounter many converts in Israel, cause not many people would go through this process. In Israel, people look extremely diverse. There is actually a community of Asian jew. They are called Bnei ha-menashe. Definitely a variety and range. Welcome to Israel, sister ❤❤❤
About the marriage part, if you did an orthodox conversion (because otherwise the more religious a jew is the more likely it is he would consider it as if you didn't do any conversion at all) I don't think it has much to do (if at all) about the person being a convert but more about having an experience/taste of a life of non-observance, there is the same problem with secular jews who do teshuva. The idea is that a person like that is more likely to leave a religious lifestyle because it will be easier psychologically for them to do so. I think in the case of a convert the effect of such a thinking pattern (that I'm not on board with BTW) is even more amplified since it an experience outside the Jewish people and religion. Like you demonstrated with the "personal relationship" idea, it can sometimes lead to a person bringing with them impressions from their former religion that for someone who was raised Jewish it will be outside their frame of reference and may lead to misunderstandings and disagreements in the marriage and possibly the a divorce. Furthermore, their is even discrimination in choosing marriage partners based on where your parents originated from (and it's not only about the Ashkenazi versus sfaradi dichotomy) because of the idea that a different cultural upbringing can allso serve as a stumbling block in the marriage relationship.
And it can allso be "good oldfashioned" racism, though Israel is a very diverse society and at this point the new generation is almost allways a mix so it's dying down fast(except in the more isolated harredi communitys).
I always found converts fascinating. On the one hand, knowing that Judaism is the truth, who wouldn't want to convert? On the other hand, knowing how hard it is to live as a Jew, with all the laws and the hatred we face, who would want to convert?
In the end, even though I wasn't trying to, I ended up marrying one. My wife did the Reform conversion abroad and then came to Israel to do a real conversion, and that's when we met.
It's true what you say. Although the warm and fuzzy kind of acceptance might be what first comes to mind when it comes to a convert feeling fully part of the tribe, it is paying the hard price of facing antisemitism and living in Israel under existential threat that really seals the deal and erases any internal doubt for a convert.
Welcome to our community, we love you
Thank you ☺️
Yes yes, nice video. but when are we getting the IRL streams? 🙂
You are amazing 😻! I hope that you learn that the far East was blessed 😇 with the spirit something that we didn’t get. So you are actually are in much better spirits than most of us.
As a Jew by birth I want you to know that I hear you, I understand the difficulties you experienced and I am very happy that you found your place in Israel. Personally, I really like Geri Tzedek- you are just like Just like Abraham who chose to leave everything behind and follow Hashem.
But there are some things that are important to me to say, I know that we are very tough with people who are in the process of conversion, but this is really to check if Judaism is suitable for them- being Jewish is difficult: there are many mitzvot (Shabbat, kosher, holidays, etc.), everyone hates us, you need to to learn a new language (Hebrew), a new culture, etc.
But, once you finish the process we must accept you and love you. I'm sorry not everyone treated you nicely. and i want you to know that no matter what they say you are a Jew according to the Halacha and there are many jews who love you and accept you.
חג שבועות שמח❤
Beautiful❤❤❤
These are profound realizations.
Am Israel unite❤❤❤
Meorah, please check out Rabbi Angela of the Central Reform synagogue! She's a Korean American, and one of my heroes.
Indeed as you say, the Colour thing is pretty American, Israeli society has it's own issues, but not this one
I come from and live in Poland and I want to convert to orthodox judaism, as a first chosen. in here is very few synagogues where people regularly walk, it's rather much less than fingers in one arm of places where minjan is on more regular basis... and we also have not very plenty of jews, if being about orthodox ones, it might be very few... communities seem very cameral, and, as I guess for now, quite diverse if it comes about 'religious background', identity, sort of different things with attitudes towards jewishness as a whole. I'm not even sure if I were at a moment of actual end of conversion, it would be possible to do it in my country. and, I kind of hope that in reality this community stuff will be less difficult than I imagine, for, polish aspect seems very difficult one, for me it's still like quite a big identity problem just about being polish. Poles as a whole seem very ignorant and, especially when I started to wonder if judaism was for me, I had some kind of hate-relation to my country... it's quite sad to have a strong negative feelings about, in a way, your main 'identity'... nevertheless, if it comes about subject, for sure it's great to have a possibility to coexist with a bigger group of people with a similar perspective. I think it's something very precious, for, well, I suppose it's not very easy always to 'be a jew'. so, it seems awesome to have a communal possibilities.
once I've read in a polish book about jews and their feeling of identity, that one person had a negative perspective about converst for they're like washouts, something, like, about jewish spirit and some jewish attitude. he's quite politically involved and, you know, I'm generally not very optimistic about how some born-jews would even perceive me... especially as I guess there's really few living orthodox/frumy-like... so it's like being jewish in my county seems difficult from both sides.
Your journey to Judaism and your life in Israel is truly inspiring. As a Sephardic Jew, I completely understand the emotions you’ve expressed in your video. Judaism is indeed passed down through the mother, and I know that many people struggle with feelings of not belonging. However, I want to affirm that Judaism is, in fact, a commitment. From what I’ve seen in your video, you embody this commitment more than many Jews I know. You live the essence of Judaism in a profound way. Keep going strong, your dedication is commendable and inspiring to us all.
😊🙏
❤ Thank you for sharing 😊always welcome... In🎉Efrat these days...
🤓👋
my mother converted to conservative judaism and i have had a rough time not being accepted at frum shuls and with that sect. I have had to back off my observance because its painful. Being around my girlfriends deep ashkenazi family shines a light of my insecurity of not having my moms side jewish. i wish I grew up with my grandmother and aunts as jewish on her side.
Hazak Meorah
I was very impressed by your videos you shared with us, today it was the first time I saw your UA-cam channel. In my opinion you are not less a jewish than a born Jewish. If you need help i am sure many people in Israel would happy to help you. Welcome and god bless you. שלום עליכם
100000%, this strong black woman gets it
The latest trend in spirituality is to create a direct covenant with God without getting into any formal religion. Religions are outdated covenants. Each person has to create his or her own covenant with God. That is a more rational and logical attitude towards Religion
Can you convert to Hasidic or Orthodox, or to Reform only?
There are a few major movements, mainly Reform, Conservative and Orthodox, and each have their respective processes for conversion. + Hasidic is also Orthodox.
First of all, I would like to tell you that you are very welcome to us, that you are charming and move me very much. You are making Kiddush of Heaven in a masterly way. Consecrate all of yourself to Hashem, and that goes without saying at all, especially that it is of your personal will alone, this is a huge thing in my eyes, so all the best to you and for the dedication of For God alone, see people change the stigmas not at all to get into it, there are always people who will say they will think and speak, and... it is theirs only and it is their crimes, so continue what you love and there is a reward for your action, blessed be He knows and sees everything and He will give you the wishes of your heart and he will fulfill them for you for good and blessing, go up and be successful in all areas of life, whatever you want, well done to you, we have won you❣️💗🌸🇰🇷🇮🇱🥰
I always am so happy to see another of your videos. I've followed you from beginning. Thank you for sharing your journey with us♥️
I just wanted to say you look fabulous without the eyelashes and the blond hair.
You=Inspiring&Awesome
You seem to be judging non-Orthodox converts in the same way you described experiencing judgment 3 years ago. I'm in the process of converting to Conservative Judaism and feel very accepted by synagogue members and the entire temple community. I started the official process in January with intro to Judaism, will take Hebrew, will go before the Beit Din, and will go to the Mikveh next January, so I can experience a full cycle of holidays. I'm happy with my choice of Conservative Judaism because it's a good balance between sincere observance and my liberal values.
Jews are diverse, in Israel we have Ethiopian jews, north African jews, Yemenis Jews, Beni Hamenashe, there are also Chinese jews- a small community in China that managed to keep their heritage. It's great to see this diversity, it's also more interesting this way, you have beautiful people from all over the world coming to Israel, and that's truly kibutz galuiot.
There are so many converts in the Torah, Batya, Ruth, Obedinya, and I feel like there needs to be a onenessa bout conversion, from my understanding, conservative conversion and orthodox are the same? You study you meet with a Bet Din and then you dip in the Mikvah correct? I just finished a Exploring Judaism course and I loved it. From my understanding the term Hallacha means in Hebrew "the way" so if it's the same among all three movements why isn't there a oneness? When I say a oneness converts all learn, pray go to the Bet Din go into a Mikvah why isn't that accepted across the board?
There were some efforts in one community to have one conversion recognized by all by having an Orthodox Rabbi on the bet din but it failed miserably. Orthodoxy is not very accepting of non-Orthodox. The Reform movement has no commitment to halacha. Conservative Judaism theoretically follows halacha but generally always takes a lenient opinion and often allows what the Orthodox forbid. The Conservative movement seems to be on an accelerated course to move closer and closer to Reform. The majority of Conservative Jews don't listen to their own Rabbis and generally live much like Reform Jews. In today's Orthodoxy, a convert is asked to accept the commandments and follow halacha. A commitment to Conservative halacha is seen as a commitment to something less. Furthermore, Conservative converts have written about their experiences and describe a much less demanding commitment. It is said that Conservative converts are accepted even if they are not agreeing to fully observe Shabbat and Kashrut.
@@stephenfisher3721 I think if they had one rabbi from every sect of Judaism with the Bet Din, it should be a good idea it's sad it didn't work out. By the way I took a course under Refom, they meet with a Bet Din and go into a Mikvah, so therefore they do follow that. I also personally know Reform jews, who keep Kosher and Shabbat, with reform it's between them and Hashem and informed choice hence the word Reform. However see what you did there? you instantly said "reform doesn't keep Halacha" when that's not all reform Jews some don't follow yes but that doesn't make them any less Jewish. That's the biggest issues I feel personally Jewish people are fighting with one another when they shouldn't they are all Jewish.
@@ScenariosOfDrea
You are certainly right that the Jewish people should not be fighting with each other. One thing you may not realize is that Reform Judaism has changed 180° during my lifetime. Reform has introduced many rituals it once discarded. When I was a boy, some Reform Temples insisted that all men go bare headed. The Reform Movement issues platforms from time to time. While there were platforms issued after The Pittsburgh Platform of 1885, many Reform Jews continued to follow it 50 years or 100 years later and some even today. The concept of informed choice is something new.
Let me quote from the Pittsburgh Platform of 1885:
"We hold that all such Mosaic and rabbinical laws as regulate diet, priestly purity, and dress originated in ages and under the influence of ideas entirely foreign to our present mental and spiritual state. They fail to impress the modern Jew with a spirit of priestly holiness; their observance in our days is apt rather to obstruct than to further modern spiritual elevation."
@@stephenfisher3721 I'm happy to say from what I see from my course is seeing more Hebrew and they do also have English as well for the people that may not know. I did see more people wear kippahs. Which is good, what I do like is in the Siddur they have Hebrew English to know what you are reading and transliteration to be able to sound at the Hebrew if you are learning. You are correct in saying it's changed from my understanding from my research and class it seems it went through major changes and is still going more towards now traditional. They seem to want to get back to their Jewish roots, while evolving in a modern world. Which personally is what I love about Judaism.
@@ScenariosOfDrea
Some Reform Congregations spend a lot of time with interfaith activities, reaching out to Christians and Muslims. There actually is a great need for dialogue between Reform and Orthodox Jews. I have associated and prayed with both groups and I can tell you that that lack of understanding is huge. Many Orthodox don't realize that Reform has changed. They think Reform is always eating bacon cheeseburgers and listening to organ music while praying in English, men without head coverings, in family pews. Few Reform Jews that I have met understand the concept of the revelation of both written and Oral Law at Mt. Sinai and how halacha works. Few Reform Jews that I have met understand the diversity of Orthodox; they conflate Haredim and Modern Orthodox.
It is sad, that acceptance is both ben adam l'makom AND ben adam l'chavero. There is no halachic support for rejection of converts.
I have a friend who converted to Judaism. It's very interesting I think that there's a big difference if you convert through reform or conservative Rabbi versus an orthodox rabbi. It's funny you know like you if you convert with an orthodox Rabbi everybody accepts your conversion but if you convert with a lesser degree frumness or observance the conversion is kind of fraught with skepticism no matter who you talk to in the Jewish world. Yeah that's one thing but then there's another aspect you know like you talked about the appearance. I was born Jewish both my parents are Jewish but our family kind of looks Irish😂. I think I think when I meet a convert I do have a lot of questions not out of skepticism but the questioning is for me more to do with you know why would someone convert to Judaism and throughout history it's kind of hard to be Jewish sometimes more than other times. So my question is why would you or why would anyone make that decision especially if it's an adult male converting to Judaism. Although I have to say that I ask questions of people who smoke or have tattoos or I don't know I asked a lot of questions. I am generally interested in people. I ask people about their first name I ask people about their last name I ask people about their ancestry... I love these details and I don't know about other other Jewish people talking to the newly Jewish, but I find such a transition very interesting.
Now my friend has a lot of identity issues that converted he had family I think several generations ago that that word Jewish and they converted to Catholicism under the Inquisition, in Spain or Nicaragua. He's from Nicaragua in Spain but it in Nicaragua. I think he had pride in his Spanish heritage but he hated being Nicaraguan and he still hates being Nicaraguan and you know I think there are aspects of his identity that he struggles with and becoming Jewish helped him I think feel less like other Nicaraguans. Anyway when he converted to Judaism he I think he converted through the conservative movement and the Orthodox don't accept that so he doesn't have universal acceptance of his conversion.
I'm only maybe a third of the way through listening to your video so I don't know if you address this issue of who converted you with it was Orthodox or reform or conservative...
Well you know the question about why you're converting to if you were dating somebody had nothing to do with you being Asian except for it was easy to single out as a reason because it's so often the reason why anyone converts to Judaism. Yeah very much so I think that it's a chip on the Israelis or the Jewish people's shoulder of why non-jews convert to Judaism especially females to get married. So it's funny it's like your chip on your shoulder met up with our chip on our shoulder and that was a big collision for you and I'm sorry about that. I will see that part of it is kind of a judgment on ourselves because I think some people are kind of forced into conversion just to marry the person they fell in love with and so it is a question that can be placed to judge to see if you are heart is fully into it. But I think also that you know the question is also did someone push you to do this.
Well that's amazing that you converted twice but just think just think if you had been male I'm done the first conversion with the conservative Rabbi and you also got got circumcised through the Britmilah process and they still question your Judaism.
thank you..I am a future convert to Orthodox Judaism ...thank you
You will always have people question the validity of the gyur (conversion). There are even "levels" of tudat gyur within Orthodox circles. But forget about all of this. The people that need to accept you, and the gyur, are the ones closest to you. Don't end up in a situation in which you are in a relationship with someone that doesn't accept your Gyur as legitimate (better to know at the start of dating). The last thing you want to hear from someone really close to you is "i think that gyur is an artificial process".
All the best and good luck
We want to see your wedding video. What are you waiting for??
😂 give me some time! B’ezrat H it’s coming.
@@hameorahjust curious, what is your secular education? It's likely you studiat a university.
@@allenmoses110 I got a BA in Linguistics at Boston University and I did a year of JD/MBA and dropped out to pursue marketing, which is my professional background.
Converts are not accepted in my community, but that does not mean we hold any personal resentment toward them.
What community are you
@@appleo7168 Syrian. We used to allow conversion until we began immigrating to the New World at the turn of the century. In the Americas, intermarriage between Jews and non-Jews was far more common, so the ban on converts known simply as "The Edict" was a measure taken by the Chief Rabbi to preserve our Jewish character. The Edict is reaffirmed by the community every ten years.
27:15 conversion isn't about changing religions. You can believe in and practice Judaism without being a Jew. In fact, sharing the Jewish religion is a pre-requisite for conversion. What conversion does is change your nationality.
Reconstructionists sre an offshoot of the Conservatives, who are an offshoot of the Reform. On a religious level, non of them accept the authority of the Torah. The Reform now believe (according to their website) in progressive revelation and that the Torah was the word of Moses who was a philosopher with some divine inspiration, but since then many philosophers came and advanced us further. Also the Reform were founded on the idea of Jews being a religion and not a nation.
Conservatives seem to believe that the Torah is from Gd, but that we gave the authority to change it (which contradicts what the Torah says about itself).
The little bit that I read about the Reconstructionist beliefs they sound similar to the Reform.
The only sect that firmly believes what the Torah says is the Orthodox, whether it's about the Torah being the word of Gd, being inalterable, being authoritative, or Jews being a nation. Thus you can convert to Reformism, Conservatism, or Reconstructionism. Those are religious conversions to religious sects. But if you want to convert to Judaism, if you want not to be Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist, but to be a Jew, you do an Orthodox conversion.
People who are considering non-Orthodox conversions should look into joining the Noahide movement instead. It's small but growing, and they're getting organized and have rabbis helping them out. Rabbi Ouri Cherki has put out a Noahide Siddur and a Noahide Shulchan Aruch and there are other resources, books, web sites, online and physical communities, including in Texas and Singapore.
BTW, I'm not hating on the non-Orthodox. My grandma went to a Reform school as a child and attended a Conservative synagogue every Saturday and holiday. She believed in Gd and valued Judaism, but she didn't keep the laws of Shabbat or Kosher and said about herself that "I'm not very religious". However, she sent her son to Orthodox schools. I loved her very much. We would visit her every other Sunday and take her out to eat, and sometimes to local theatres, including in her synagogue.
So the point isn't to hate on other movements, Gd forbid. It's about being honest about what's what. I think those movements exist because Jews wanted to fit in, and because Ashkenazi Jews especially have a disease of turning everything into an ideology. Mizrahi and Sefardi Jews just live their lives at whatever level of observance they feel suits them while continuing to participate in the community, but when an Ashkenazi Jew doesn't want to be fully observant he turns his compromises into an ideal, justifies them, and tries to spread them as the new standard. That lead to the Reform, and the Conservatives were Reform who wanted to stick more closely to the traditions. They could have just lived as Jews with non-full observance of Halachah, on the soectrum, but instead they made it into a sect that occupies a certain specific wavelength of the spectrum.
This is a perfect explanation! 👏👏👏
When I was at elementary school I had a visibly Asian girl (eyes and face shape) at my class, and I went a a religious school. And I asked her one day if she was Chinese and she told me "No, I'm from Jerusalem" and for the longest time during childhood, I thought that everyone from Jerusalem looked Asian 😅
😄
Very interesting. Merci pour votre video. Judaism is all about the inner person, not the outer. In other words, his Neshama. Skin color doesn't matter, and you only have to walk around town to see all the colors in the world (and it's wonderful). Question for you: Are you in the Chiddurim? I see you didn't have your head covered (yet).
Not married yet 😊
Beezrat Hashem ! Soon !@@hameorah
What happened to your pug?
Kind of disturbing to hear anyone asking about her status (if born Jewish) unless she has initiated the conversation. At least how I was brought up, one does not ask and assumes Jews are Jews. I am fortunate to have Jewish friends of various backgrounds including converts. Am Yisrael needs to do a better job.
האישה מימין לא נראית כל כך חלק מעם ישראל, האישה משמאל לחלוטין כן!
אני שמח שהצטרפת לעמי.
מאחל ולך ולי שנצליח להתקרב עוד לה' ולאהוב אחד את השני.
(I hope i wrote that right)
I don't know if 3 years ago you look Korean but you do look American..
Does you point if you about "people of colors" this terms changed when you come to Israel? I am glad you value this term different now.
I watch your face when you listen to yourself you judge yourself as someone else.
אתה מדבר עברית?
אני לא הבנתי את התגובה שלך ואני לא חושב שאנשים אחרים יבינו גם... אתה רוצה לנסות להסביר לי מה אמרת ואני אנסה לתרגם אותך אם אתה מעוניין...
I converted thru the Conservative movement, but I find I am accepted in Orthodox, but not in Reform or Conservative, tho the Orthodox do not consider me Jewish
That's ironic
As a secular Jew who adores the country, the holidays, the people and served as a combatant in the IDF, I think of converts to be better Jews than me and I have nothing but respect for them, because I know how hard the process of conversion is.
I might add that I only speak of convertions that are recognized by the Israeli ministry of religion, so don't talk to me about your dog's upcoming "Bark Mitzva".
Best of luck to you and congratulations.
I heard of a Christian missionary who converted in order to proselytize from the inside. There are also missionaries who pretend to be Jews without converting, for the same purpose. There was a missionary family in the US that really messed up a Buchari Jewish community there by signing divorce documents, so women though they were divorcees, remarried, had children with their new husbands, only to find out years later that the divorce was invalid and that legally they were practicing infidelity. Or Elkohen who cane to Israel as a fake rabbi and used his children to introduce Jewish children to the Christian faith.
So yes, we need to be careful. However, the best inoculation against foreign religions is knowing Tanakh.
That’s terrible. I’m sorry that happened to the community.
First and foremost, Avraham Avinu was a convert. Yes, it’s hard to be a convert, but that’s what makes the convert all the more special than those FFB or born with a Jewish mother.
On a separate note, I can attest that a good percentage of Ashkenazi Jewish men do seem to be physically attracted to Asian women and go on to marry and have families with women of Asian descent. Why that is has always fascinated me, but I think it’s great, as more genetic and physical diversity in our people is important, necessary, and beautiful.
Avraham Avinu was not a convert. He was the first Jew. And he didn't convert because he never believed in false Idols... He knew that God existed and looked for him, he didn't find him but never stopped believing...
It was only in his old age that God gave Avraham prophecies and commandments.
By the way, the Bible commands the Jews to not be cruel to widows, orphans and converts(simply because these are the people that CAN be mistreated).
But I believe many Jews are like the way they are about converts because today many converts convert reform and that can not be accepted. This can mislead a Jew into marrying a non Jewish woman, which will make their children gentiles and not Jews.
So it's unfortunate but this is a serious matter.
@@achilles7607 Was avraham avinu’s mother Jewish? Enough said. If your mother was not a Jew then you become a Jew- the only path to that is ergo - conversion. It says in the Haggadah itself that our ancestors were idol worshippers! Boy I hope Abraham Avinu converted from that! lol
FACT: No Jewish men will marry or take interest in her on any level
I born jew, mother Jew, but i so sorry... i don't understand about "Accept or Valid" for who? For Jewish Agency or for G-d? Or for Rabbinate? So sad to see a converted to Judaism no sure its self. 😢
so intresting! it is a tough journey to convert especially in the orthodox way, welcome to israel, if youe need any help finding korean kosher food reach out! :)
Her gatekeeping and deciding Ortho is superior while looking down on other Jews-she’s arrived!
Ok, it's been a month. time for a new video (or stream). stop slacking 🙃
There was no rabbi available for Abraham’s journey into the path of HaShem. So there’s that. 😉
Abraham was historically before Moses and the giving of the Torah. During the time of the First Temple, there were cohanim but no rabbis. So there's that.
@@stephenfisher3721 It says that the patriarchs lived by the Torah principles even before Sinai. Torah has always BEEN. The Holy One looked into the Torah to create creation. Seems to me the conversion process has gotten a bit over complicated. And I agree with Meorah that it's a shoresh neshama (soul root) issue. And HaShem is in charge of THAT. :-) 💗💗
@@DvorahDavida5778
You are correct about the traditional belief and that is why I used the word "historically".
It says the patriarchs lives by Torah principles but not always because they were not required to for example yaakov marries 2 sisters which is forbidden
Am achode Am yisreal chai
I am glad this video came up, youtube buried you in my algorithm because Jew is a swear word again
Good for you ... as a convert you still have the right to move to the holy land and claim citizenship and take replace a Palestinian