Part 1 of a series on choosing a Jewish life
by Hadassah | The Chai Life
When I first started exploring Judaism, I didn’t know what I was getting into — or even if I was “allowed” to.
I wasn’t raised Jewish. I didn’t speak Hebrew. I didn’t know the difference between a challah and a havdalah. All I knew was that something in Judaism resonated deeply with me — its rhythms, its rituals, its rootedness in questions instead of answers. I felt pulled toward it. But I also felt overwhelmed, unsure, and — if I’m honest — intimidated.
If you’re here reading this, maybe you feel the same way.
Maybe you’re thinking about converting but don’t know where to begin.
Maybe you’re already on the path but feel stuck or unsure.
Or maybe you’re just spiritually curious and wondering what this journey might look like if you ever chose to take it seriously.
This post is for you.
The Draw of Jewish Life
There was something about Judaism’s honesty that captivated me—its willingness to wrestle with God, to argue with sacred texts, to hold joy and grief in the same breath. It was messy. It was ancient. It was alive.
I didn’t just want to study Judaism. I wanted to live it.
To light candles on Friday night and mark time with intention; to say blessings not out of habit, but from a place of deep awareness. To be part of a people—not just a religion—whose story I longed to help carry forward.
There wasn’t a single lightning-bolt moment. No burning bush. No dramatic declaration. No grand epiphany. Just a quiet pull—persistent and gentle—that kept drawing me back to Judaism.
At first, I didn’t have a name for it. It was simply a curiosity, a resonance I felt when I heard Hebrew chanted, when I saw candles lit for Shabbat, when I read Jewish texts that seemed to speak directly to the questions I’d been carrying for years.
I didn’t know it yet, but I had begun a journey that would change everything about how I understand identity, tradition, and what it means to belong.
Why “The Chai Life”?
In Hebrew, the word chai (חי) means life. It’s made up of two letters—chet and yud—and together they add up to the number 18. That’s why you’ll often see gifts or donations given in multiples of 18 in Jewish tradition. It symbolizes of vitality, blessing, and connection.
For me, The Chai Life isn’t just a clever play on words—though I do love a good pun. It’s the life I’ve chosen to step into.
A life of questioning. Of community. Of intention. Of choosing, again and again, to live with purpose
What You’ll Find Here
This space is for anyone curious about Judaism—whether you’re on your own path to conversion, just beginning to explore, or walking alongside someone who is. I’ll be sharing my personal journey: the highs and the lows, the sacred and the messy, the texts and traditions that have shaped me—and the ones I’m still learning to understand.
I don’t have all the answers. But I’ve learned that Judaism doesn’t require answers—just the commitment to keep asking. And that, to me, is what makes it so beautiful.
Thank you for being here.
Whether you’re Jewish, Jew-ish, or just Jewish-adjacent, I’m truly glad you’re part of The Chai Life.
So… What Is the Conversion Journey?
There’s no one “official” path to becoming Jewish — but there are common steps and understanding them can make the whole process feel less overwhelming.
1. Finding a Rabbi and Community
Most journeys begin by connecting with a rabbi or Jewish community. Some people start by attending Shabbat services, others take a basic Judaism class, and many begin with a simple, nervous email to a local synagogue that starts with: “Hi… I’m thinking about converting?” The goal early on is just to show up. To listen. To learn. To see how Judaism feels in practice, not just in theory. You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t even need to be sure you want to convert. You just need the curiosity and openness to explore.
2. Learning Jewish Life from the Inside Out
Conversion isn’t a test you pass — it’s a life you live. You’ll learn about Jewish holidays, history, theology, ethics, and culture. You’ll probably study Hebrew (even if just a little). You’ll explore Jewish texts and wrestle with big questions. And along the way, you’ll start to build a Jewish life: lighting candles, keeping Shabbat in your own way, trying new rituals, and slowly learning what feels meaningful to you. The idea isn’t to become an expert. It’s to begin living Jewishly — not just intellectually, but spiritually, emotionally, and practically.
3. The Formal Conversion Process
When you’re ready (and only when you’re ready), you’ll go through a formal process. This looks slightly different depending on the denomination — Reform, Conservative, Orthodox — but it usually includes:
- A beit din (a conversation with a panel of rabbis or Jewish educators)
- Immersion in a mikvah (a ritual bath representing spiritual transformation)
- For those assigned male at birth and not already circumcised, a circumcision (brit milah) or, if already circumcised, a symbolic ritual called hatafat dam brit — drawing a single drop of blood as a sign of entering the covenant.
It sounds intense — and it is deeply meaningful — but by the time you reach this step, you won’t be a stranger to Jewish life. You’ll have been living it for a while. The rituals will feel like a homecoming, not a hurdle.
How Long Does It Take?
There’s no set timeline. Some people convert in under a year. Others take several years — and that’s okay. Judaism values process. It honors the time it takes to question, learn, and grow. No one’s rushing you to the finish line. This is about building a life, not passing a course. And honestly, the timeline will feel less important once you’re immersed in the journey itself.
Common Fears (That Are More Normal Than You Think)
You might be wondering:
- “What if I’m not doing it right?”
- “What if I’m not ‘Jewish enough’ — even after I convert?”
- “What if I forget something important or mess up a ritual?”
I’ve been there. Most of us have. What I’ve learned is this: Judaism isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. You’re not expected to know everything — not even after you convert. You’re just expected to show up with sincerity, curiosity, and commitment. And when you do mess up? There’s a blessing for that. (Seriously.)
Conversion Isn’t Just a Decision — It’s a Transformation
This journey isn’t just about changing your religious label. It’s about choosing to take part in a story that’s thousands of years old — and making it your own.
It’s about shifting how you mark time, how you see the world, how you connect to God, community, and self.
It’s about becoming — slowly, imperfectly, intentionally — the person you already felt yourself growing into.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re reading this because you’re curious about conversion — or in the middle of it — I want you to know:
You are not alone.
You are not behind.
You are not doing it wrong.
The journey toward becoming Jewish is beautiful and challenging, confusing and clarifying, sacred and deeply human. And it’s a journey worth taking — even if you don’t yet know exactly where it will lead.
This is just the beginning of a multi-part series where I’ll share more about my own experiences — the highs, the hard moments, and the small, sacred steps that helped shape my Jewish life.
Wherever you are on your path, I’m glad you’re here.
Let’s keep growing together.
Shalom,
Hadassah
Coming up next…
- Practicing Judaism before you “officially” convert
- Dealing with imposter syndrome or feeling stuck
- My mikvah experience + day of conversion
- Resources that helped me along the way
The Chai Life 
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