My Conversion Story Journal

July 28, 2023

Having run out of bread, eggs, and many other essentials, I had to figure out how to get a few groceries. Shabbat is tonight, and I cannot start Shabbat without some type of bread or rolls. So I figured that out and was able to pick up some eggs and rolls for dinner tonight. It is too late to attempt to make challah, but I will attempt that again next week. I was planning on making some soup for dinner tonight and just keeping it warm to eat tomorrow (no cooking on Shabbat is permitted). However, I could not find gnocchi in my tiny town, so plan B is some vegan hot dogs that I've been wanting to try for dinner tonight and I'll walk to the fair (visible from my patio) and buy dinner tomorrow. So no updates on amazing food tomorrow, but next week I do plan on making latkes (now that I have onion and egg), of course with my own twist. Look for that in next week's blog.

Tisha B'Av ended last night, but there were some things that we could not do until this afternoon, like eat meat. I listened to music for the first time in 9 days and danced around my house while doing my chores (dishes, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, etc.). I started my playlist this morning, paused it while I went to go shopping, and continued it when I got back home. I have been listening to it all day and feel so much joy again. I have not listened to secular music in years, so after I decided to convert to Judaism, I have only been listening to music from artists recommended by my Rabbi and other Jewish friends. I can honestly say that I do not miss Christian music at all. I didn't only fall in love with the Hebrew language, but to hear songs with so much passion and love for the creator is addicting. I only want more. There is no way I would ever go back to Christianity, but there is no way I will ever want to listen to anything other than Jewish music. It is too fulfilling to the spirit to give up for anything secular. This is my YouTube playlist that I am continuing to add songs to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuYdgPcOeq_anPLwNpmxAqJGUWHhE0Cb7

My Hebrew is getting better. I can sound out words now. I am very slow at it, but I can sound them out, which is a step in the right direction. I can almost read through a paragraph of a prayer. The short sentences that repeat I can do no problem now, but not long prayers. I also struggle a bit with passages in the Torah. One verse or two at a time I can handle, but not more than that. Again, thanks to GZ and putting up with me about 4 hours a week for the past two months.

Shabbat Shalom everyone!