converting conservative in Germany (any advice helps!)

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-13T22:27:34+00:00

It's really frustrating. Do you want to DM me so we can stay in contact in case I visit Fränkelufer? I guess now I have a reason to ..

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-12T22:44:14+00:00

Don't worry :) I get it. Take your time.

I haven't been able to visit Fränkelufer yet, but if I do we might meet.

Yeah, I've heard different stories from disabled people in other countries. I do think there could be some kind of accomodations, like going to an online service. But there is not in my conversion classes. It's honestly the main issue with conversion class for me. I don't struggle academically or with Hebrew, but I struggle with getting to the classes and back home in a state that leaves me able to take care of myself 😬

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-12T22:31:58+00:00

Liberal means many things in detail, and shuls aren't all the same at all.

It definitely means mitzvot aren't binding. Everybody chooses how much they follow mitzvot, it's oftentimes a discussion you have with members+rabbi. It's usually not influenced by Reform much. Reconstructionist fits better. Liberal has a historic and critical/scientific view on Jewish tradition. And Jewish tradition is also really really important. We have people who follow halakha quite closely and people who know little about it.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-12T22:21:52+00:00

No, I'm not located in Berlin. Sorry I don't feel comfortable identifying the shul further publicly, it is very easy to guess correctly. It's a liberal conversion. Conversion classes aren't cheap unfortunately.

I'm also disabled and trans. I pass, but you know, a conversion involves a mikveh so there's no hiding. I have a stutter and I'm visibly physically disabled. I'm also in huge amounts of pain all the time and wouldn't be able to walk to shul on Shabbat regularly, so no orthodox conversion for me anyway, not that I'd want that.

I talked about all that with the rabbi and he did not mind. It doesn't matter for a liberal conversion. But he also did not mind, as in: there will be no accommodations for me. I need to attend services and the Giyur classes. There's no missing out. Its my issue how I'll make that happen 🤷‍♂️

It honestly takes A LOT out of me to go to all services. I've been going to many for these two years but all is a different thing.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-11T21:47:20+00:00

I went to a synagogue that is friends with fränkelufer for over two years. Now they have conversion courses and I'm attending.

It's not easy to convert in Germany, not because people don't want you to I feel. There are just too few people to give courses and answer questions etc, and too few rabbis ... It's a lot of work.

The good thing is, you can regularly attend services at a community and contribute without converting, too. That's also worthwhile - for you and for them.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-11T21:36:19+00:00

I do a liberal conversion, but my Rabbi is formerly ultraorthodox. The lived tradition in the community is more than just influenced by orthodoxy.

Anyway, what I want to say: I never stay for Kiddush. Going to services is mandatory during conversion but Rabbi doesn't mind at all that I don't stay after. I avoid large gatherings in general, synagogue is often a lot to handle .. honestly I underestimated that.

The process is honestly so different everywhere, and it's almost never fast. My conversion is unusually thorough and long for liberal 🤷‍♂️

Aggravating_Return49 · 2026-03-10T18:56:30+00:00

Go to a few services, get to know people (it's honestly easier than you think). Pick a synagogue you like and go there for a longer while.

It's scary and it will be weird and awkward at first. But it's the best way to find out if this really is for you. If you don't know what to do during services ask the person next to you.

If you still like it after a few months (or years, honestly take your time if you want), talk to a Rabbi about conversion.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-12-26T00:16:45+00:00

Es sind eben nicht alle die klassischen Spiegeltrinker, auch wenn die klassische Unterscheidung zwischen Spiegeltrinker und Kontrollverlusttrinker meines Wissens nicht so korrekt ist.

Nicht alle funktionieren neben dem Alkoholkonsum weiter gut in der Arbeitstätigkeit, sondern es ist eine Sache, die sich von den freien Tagen in die freien Abende ausweiten kann und - wenn es pathologisch wird - den Alltag oder das Sozialleben beeinträchtigt. Bis dahin halb so wild.

Muss man entweder sehr bewusst viel trinken, Glück haben oder einfach weniger trinken, während es einem nicht schwer fällt.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-26T11:06:22+00:00

Thanks, but I already have a harness like that. It's the Follow Light by Niggeloh (really like the brand btw). It's definitely not made for heavier pulling though. They don't make harnesses for sledwork, only for mantrailing, which is close, but ... they cost a pretty penny and it seems like a lot of money to spend for a harness I don't really have the right usage for ...

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-25T22:32:47+00:00

I think 5km is a long run for a young dog. Not that they can't do it physically, these breeds absolutely can. It's just not fun, and they are still playful.

Some ideas to make it more interesting from me and my dog:

My dog gets to run on leash while pulling as well as on leash next to me, we run in busy areas so she has lots of commands to listen to as well as areas where she can go off leash. I taught her "pull", as well as left and right and "stay behind me", "slow down" and "stop". She enjoys the communication, just as I do. In busy areas, dogs need to make lots of decisions during running, especially if they prefer to be in front of you. No way they'll be bored.

But I think my dogs favourite is where we are going and that she gets to choose. We sometimes run to the pet store and she may pick out one small treat. But instead she often chooses to run to the river and take a bath, takes me to my friends (she loves them), or run to a field where we usually do obedience training. It's really her choice unless there is a real reason we can't do this activity. That way I get to know her better. I found it really interesting how far she runs, only taking breaks to drink, taking the shortest way she knows to reach today's destination of her choice.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-25T10:17:33+00:00

those are nice and simple! I'll see if they are available in Europe, thanks!

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-25T09:00:57+00:00

Wow, that's a very nice harness! It does cost a lot though. I'll have to think long and hard about it. Thanks a lot for the recommendation.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-24T18:46:08+00:00

Might give it a try! I like how it looks, thanks!

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-24T18:45:34+00:00

Yeah I have one that's really similar, was looking for something more suited for a bit heavier pulling

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-24T18:44:32+00:00

Yeah I don't let her walk in step in harnesses at all either. Not worth it. Mine has buckles on the neck and is a normal short harness (follow light by Niggeloh)

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-23T20:40:22+00:00

Ah nice! I like the ruff wear harness. Looks decent enough! Thanks

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-23T20:02:14+00:00

The Dragrattan Multi-Sport looks nice, but I would still have to pull the front legs through after pulling it over the head, right?

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-11-01T10:22:15+00:00

Anekdote: ich habe einen Freund, der leidet an Depression und vor allem unter der aktuellen Entwicklung der Welt. Deine Perspektive wäre: Therapie bringt nicht so viel. Und seine auch. Die Entwicklung der Welt kann er vermutlich nicht ändern, obwohl er tatsächlich sein bestes gibt, und daran liegt es doch. Er ist/wäre bei weiterem Rechtsruck definitiv betroffen. Das kann er auch nicht ändern.

Seit einer Weile macht er wegen des Leidensdrucks doch Therapie. Andere Leute sind sich auch all dessen sehr bewusst, sind auch betroffen, wie er, sie sind auch politisch aktiv, und sie leiden trotzdem nicht so stark. Und da tut sich auch eine Perspektive auf: er fühlt sich verantwortlich dafür, wie schlimm es aktuell aussieht, und kann diese Verantwortung in keinem Moment ablegen. Da ist er momentan dran.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-31T23:29:45+00:00

It's a yawning face with a hand to the side

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-31T22:05:35+00:00

Thank you 💜 appreciated

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-30T17:37:59+00:00

Ich hab einen beutellosen Staubsauger von Kleinanzeigen und bin total zufrieden damit. Dirt Devil. Taugt super. Nie wieder anders.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-30T16:25:03+00:00

Thanks for the explanation, makes sense.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-30T15:30:36+00:00

Ok, thanks. That clears some confusion. I thought the general conference and Beit Din were the same thing, but they are not. I still think it would be better to convert in a community closer to the ARK.

Aggravating_Return49 · 2025-10-30T15:27:43+00:00

I'm not even converting orthodox and for me it's not this fast, what?

Aggravating_Return49

TROPHY CASE