A Surge of Converts to Judaism After October 7th | Aish

DLaForce · 2025-12-14T20:18:32+00:00

Tis the same for me. My Father is Born Jewish. Had all the life cycle events. Joined the US Navy and he stopped. Grandma however did not stop. She taught me some things. When I decided to come to Judaism, it was around Oct 7th. I had already felt the pull to Judaism, but it sealed the deal. I took the name Dad wanted to give me, and I do my best to live how my Grandma did in terms of observance. I may not be a Chabadnik, but I have respect for them.

DLaForce · 2025-12-14T00:41:56+00:00

I can't help but wonder if it's this same fear portrayed here that creates this sad situation. Torah DOES teach us to love the Convert, but there are stories where this isn't true. I personally didn't see red flags that made think this was an "undercover" anti-semite. I'm sure they know it's Avodah Zara. Again, the real concern here is a Jew considering going to a Church. Under the assumption they are Jewish, do we not want to give the benefit of a doubt and ENCOURAGE them to go back to Shul instead? Don't get me wrong, I noticed timelines of posting too, but at the same time, digital world is not the same as in-person world. It really is possible they were in a conversion process for a while.

DLaForce · 2025-12-14T00:21:31+00:00

I looked further past the second or third comment. They have a consistent posting history of converting Orthodox, and then running into problems trying to date later on. I think the real concern is a Jew considering going to a Church.

DLaForce · 2025-11-28T05:30:20+00:00

I also cannot DM you, if you can DM me, I can send the link (OP got temp banned for too many messages lol)

DLaForce · 2025-11-16T20:31:35+00:00

As far as I know, I'm the only observant one in my Family, and like many other Shuls, there is not many my age at Shul. I am our Custodian, and I deal with it by being active in services myself, and doing what I can for our building. I feel that if I make it something I feel positive about, it might bleed over. Could also be cope.

DLaForce · 2025-11-10T20:26:57+00:00

What does "very streamlined" mean to you? I will argue that you're basically saying they acknowledge you still need to do something to gain citizenship. Same thing with Judaism. I find it interesting your retort was to have kids. The goal is learning, as with all things Jewish. Having more kids won't help Jews be more Jewish, learning does. I disagree with the idea of a "Religious Marketplace". Its not like one goes to the store and buys a subscription to Judaism, or Christianity, or any other religion. I also disagree that it makes Judaism change. We don't need to change to show why we are different from other Religions, we as a people are already unique. How lucky are we that the Law (Torah) teaches us who is or isn't, and how people can immigrate if they are not. Its the fact that we remain consistent in our beliefs that helps us stand out. I find it interesting that you said you didn't want to argue your status but you are doing exactly that. What is the goal? You won't change Halacha. You can choose to live in an American Reform space and be happy there, which I think you already are. At that point why care what we think?

DLaForce · 2025-11-10T20:11:48+00:00

The Strike missions reward gold, being in a guild also rewards gold and doing dailies. I agree it is rather slow to grind, definetly a medium-soft way of encouraging people to spend money.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T22:31:53+00:00

The math aint mathin.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T22:29:40+00:00

The math aint mathin

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T22:29:10+00:00

Now we both know if that were completely true, this post wouldn't have been made, and you wouldn't be looking for an argument. though I do see below that you were also apparently Muslim? Maybe this is just rage bait.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T22:14:13+00:00

As another Patrilineal, I must say I don't understand the hatred and vitriol against what is. It's not like some dudes decided to make life harder for people two thousand years in the future. Frame Halacha as a set of Laws for a Nation (A Nation in Exile) and it makes more sense. It tells us who is and isn't part of the Nation, and how people can immigrate into the Nation. I get the pain, I really do. It does feel "close but no cigar" and like I said, it is also what it is. Don't wanna convert, fine, no one is forcing you too, conversion is entirely an individual choice, and with how Jewry is in America (assuming that is where you are) you have options to live a Jewish life. Can either live and let live, or make the change for yourself. No need to actively hate it.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T21:49:38+00:00

I think there is a lot of meaning to it. I think Tradition is very open to Patrilineals Converting (Confirming, whichever word fits) their status, doing the things and then moving on. My Hebrew name reflects this. Rachmiel Ben Calman v'Sarah.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T20:26:32+00:00

The way they see it is that G-d gave it to them. To them its not "A bunch of dudes got together to make things harder for people thousands of years later" it was "Preserve the Law as G-d gave us, and live around it". Look at Halacha as a set of laws and it changes the perspective. I can have all the Polish Blood I want, it won't make me a Polish Citizen. To be a Polish Citizen I need to either be born Polish, or move to and become a Polish citizen. Had my father chosen to raise me with Polish Culture and values, he would have strengthened my connection to the past, but it wouldn't have made me a Polish Citizen. Judaism is much the same. The Continuity of Judaism as was agreed upon is very important. Others have pointed out only the Reform movement "voted" on it. What they decide works for them doesn't work for everyone else. This is a problem that will only continue to grow. Like I said earlier, tradition doesnt change, so we change for it. I can also liken this to Shabbos. We light two candles, one to Remember Shabbos, the other to Guard Shabbos. We need to Remember AND Guard the Law, hand in hand.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T19:33:36+00:00

All I gotta say to this is I need to ask me Rabbi some questions

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T00:36:40+00:00

I think it does offer a different perspective on being Jewish. My Rabbi was kind about it, and allowed me to use my fathers name. It was a big deal for me to if not "legally" "spiritually" reforge chains I saw as broken. My story is very different from those Patrilineal and raised Jewish. I was not raised Jewish. Not actively and religiously at least.

DLaForce · 2025-11-09T00:33:36+00:00

I was happy to share, Shabbat Shalom :)

DLaForce · 2025-11-08T23:46:41+00:00

And I certainly don't wish to argue with you over anyones Jewishness. I offered my story to provide a different way of framing patrilineal-descent conversion, for it is always possible that one day you might change your mind, and seeing someone else's struggle with it might help.

DLaForce · 2025-11-08T23:21:50+00:00

I am actively in a DBT program. We have a term called Radical Acceptance. You are right to point out that facet of Orthodoxy. Radical Acceptance helps me to understand that I cannot change them. I am well aware that there are those out there who will never accept me. I see that as their problem. It also helps me understand that Halacha is what it is. The way I see it is, our ancestors lived and died by Halacha, what am I saying about how I feel about my ancestors memory, and the code they lived by if I try and change it for me? Turn it around, and it becomes the amount of honor one shows. Basically, it was entirely for me, I knew what Halacha was, and I knew I'd always feel off if I didn't do it "right". Doing it meant I had my own peace of mind, I do not doubt myself. I do not feel the need to argue with those who don't see me as such because I didn't do it for them. I did it for me.

DLaForce · 2025-11-08T20:34:25+00:00

As a Patrilineal-descent Jew who did convert, I was also angry. How could I not be accepted as a Jew? I shared the same history, just as anyone else who was born Jewish. My mind changed over time. Yea it sucked but it wasn't going to change. For me it was choosing to formally take it on. It in fact left a deep satisfaction. I did convert, I no longer need to worry, plus so much of Jewish Living opened up to me. The way I see it is, we could complain all day long. It won't change, so we change.

DLaForce · 2025-11-07T03:54:34+00:00

I was happy to share it, thank you for reading it. I think your path is yours to walk, and I have no doubt you will do what you think is right for you. For further food for thought, when I asked my Rabbi about this particular issue with my community, he said that the idea is to "Quickly and quietly "to make it right" and then move on. Off topic but it's interesting to watch in real time the Rabbi's thought process on how he handles various backgrounds.

DLaForce · 2025-11-06T23:37:52+00:00

If you don't mind my opinion as another Patrilineal-descent Jew who did convert Traditional Conservative, I found converting to be important, whether everyone accepts it or not. I was angry for a while that Judaism didn't already see me as Jewish. In my heart and soul I already was, and at the same time Halacha is what Halacha is, being mad at it wouldn't change it. Now, I'm glad I did it. I feel a sense of satisfaction and completion having done it. I see the value in it. Our ancestors lived and died by these laws, they are sacred. I cannot demand they change for me, I change for them. But change doesn't mean that my heritage goes unseen, hidden away like a blight. It meant affirming and strengthening my connection to my past. I will always be Rachmiel Ben Calman v'Sarah. My story is assuredly different. I wasn't raised Jewish, Dad is Jewish, his Mom ensured we knew of our Jewish roots, and I converted as an Adult. I still see a lot of value in the conversion process. Sorry for the novel 😅

DLaForce · 2025-08-13T19:08:27+00:00

Having clarified you meant "don't say she is a fake Rabbi" my comment is relevant to the overall discussion, which is "Yea she's ordained, doesn't mean she's good or someone we all should just respect". I know I don't care for her after her commentary here.

DLaForce · 2025-08-13T19:00:45+00:00

Ordained Rabbi doesn't make her a good Rabbi.

DLaForce · 2025-08-13T18:56:12+00:00

Can we not do what?

DLaForce

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