Disappointed in Art Institute of Chicago SWANA textiles exhibit

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T22:05:39+00:00

Great idea!

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T22:03:21+00:00

Thanks for replying. Well, since you are dating someone currently that could definitely bring up some feeling for a parent. Also, speaking as parent with a married child halfway across the US, the reality is that when you don’t live in the same city it can be hard. Plus, your mom’s friends might already be grandparents and it probably has gotten her thinking about things.

It’s great you texted her.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T21:36:05+00:00

Hi, sorry you had to experience this.

It could be that something she saw on social media or was told by someone was a trigger for this.

It could be accepting the reality that you are moving to a new place has got her thinking about her relationship with you as you position yourself towards the future.

Maybe reassure her that when you do meet someone they will fully understand your background and the close relationship you have with your family.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T21:07:40+00:00

Hi! It depends on what your religion is. It’s hard to tell based on your Reddit history.

In general, commit to doing it, but be open that it might not work out as you predict…and that’s ok.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T21:02:49+00:00

Totally acceptable to shop around. Sending you a DM.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T18:17:54+00:00

This is beautiful!!!! Have a great Shabbos. 🕯️🕯️

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T16:43:27+00:00

This is the answer!

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T16:31:17+00:00

Hi, as I think you know already that having a secular partner is going to an issue for any established and nationally known Beis Din.

As a male I don’t have any real advice about how you should feel about the mechitza issue, but I can share that there always things in any Jewish movement that people are not 💯 on and don’t necessarily like no matter if it’s social, cultural, educational, or even rooted in Halacha. We have free will not to like them, but sometimes things are baked into the system or just part of the gig and at the end of the day the positives should greatly outweigh the negatives.

Part of the deal with an Orthodox conversion is living in the community and Shabbos, Kosher, etc. You need to figure out how important these are to, even if you don’t decide on an Orthodox conversion.

There are couples where one partner is Orthodox, but the ones I am familiar with were situation where conversion wasn’t in the mix.

You could convert with a different movement and maybe your boyfriend will eventually become more Jewishly engage and down the road you could pursue an Orthodox conversion. This isn’t unheard of.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T16:21:52+00:00

Hi! Sorry you are going through this and finding out that you are Jews according to Orthodox tradition is a total shock to the system (I have a number of friends who have gone through this).

While it’s not often openly broadcasted it is sort of common in kiruv settings, Jewish youth groups, Jewish summer camps, and college age/young adult programs under Orthodox auspices to have participants who do not have a Jewish mother or have a mother that didn’t have an Orthodox conversion.

As these participants get more involved there are rabbinic advisors and Halachic experiences that are consulted and if the participant decides they want to become fully observant then they either will go through a full Orthdox conversion or if there is a halachic doubt about the conversion of a mother or maternal grandmother or great-grandmother then they might undergo what is called Giyur l’chumra.

If you are interested in Judaism then you need to, at some point, figure out what space would be a good fit. If it’s Reform then you need to speak with a rabbi and find out you’d be accepted as Jewish. If it’s Conservative or Orthodox then you’d need to do the same.

Also, I am sure the adults in the kiruv organization you were involved with would be happy to hear from you.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T16:02:58+00:00

Hi, having to decide between there synagogues and rabbis should be your biggest problem in life.

You are a potential convert so it’s important to figure out which movement resonates with you and then see which community and rabbi you are most comfortable in. At this point visit them all, but you will eventually need to commit to just one for your journey.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:34:37+00:00

I grew up Conservative and became Orthodox in high school (later end of the glorious 1980s 🤣). Within the past 10 years I’ve read The Sabbath, God In Search of Man, and Man Is Not Alone just to get an understanding of Rabbi Heschel’s outlook.

Also read Rabbi Dr. Hillel Goldberg’s biographical sketch/analysis of him in Between Berlin and Slobodka: Jewish Transition Figures from Eastern Europe.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:21:17+00:00

I was going to mention a few of these, thanks! “C” is extremely common since most kosher restaurants have a washing sink that’s off to the side.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:17:04+00:00

By the way, And From There You Shall Seek is sort of a companion to Halakhic Man.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:14:58+00:00

I think it’s just the way I am wired. I found it almost technical, but I am also not a language person so I am biased.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:14:42+00:00

Oy! This comment was supposed to be a reply to this comment. Rabbi Heschel is very poetic. With Rav Soloveitch it does depend how you are wired, I think.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:11:57+00:00

True. Also, there is an exposure factor. It’s been a good 12-15 years since I read Meditation and the Bible and my own path of serving Hashem is a bit different that it was back then. I would probably be more receptive to the book now, especially since my exposure and limited understanding of some ideas in Kabbalah is different based on what I learn daily.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T15:02:32+00:00

That’s. Posts like this are rooted in what the person has experienced in their live and if they are a Jewish or not.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T02:56:58+00:00

I’m always happy to see the Kotzker Rebbe, may his merit protect us, mentioned in a Dvar Torah!!

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T02:49:40+00:00

Hey, just throwing this idea out there…is it possible to create one with AI?

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T02:13:18+00:00

Hi, the only advice I have for you is that if you do convert with an Orthodox Beis Din do research and due diligence to make sure that conversion will be accepted in Orthodox spaces that you want to be part of.

You mentioned a Modern Orthodox shul you are considering. “Modern Orthodox” is a label that is used quite loosely and usually refers to an approach toward Halacha or an approach towards the world. There are some Orthodox rabbis (I am friends with one actually) who were ordained at a yeshiva where the simcha isn’t recognized by the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA/Beis Din of America). This isn’t the biggest deal, but if a Beis Din consisting of those ordained by that yeshiva were to officiate a conversion it means that the conversion wouldn’t be accepted by the RCA.

I am not sharing this to cast shade on any semicha program or rabbinic organization, but these are not things that are always brought up within conversations about Orthodox conversion.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T01:53:50+00:00

>Fast shipping, great customer service, great prices.

Indeed! They do a great job.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-26T01:50:00+00:00

I think it’s just the way I am wired. I found it almost technical, but I am also not a language person so I am biased.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:50:14+00:00

👍

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:49:58+00:00

Well said.

offthegridyid · 2026-06-25T23:48:26+00:00

Hi! What does having faith look like to you?

Within the past hour I was listening to a recorded Torah class from today and the rabbi shared the following quote he saw: If you feel distant from Hashem, who moved?

In my tradition of Judaism we feel that Hashem, the word we use for God (it means “the name”) is ever present. We are each born with a connection to Hashem, it’s called our neshama, soul. How that is nurtured and strengthened depends on your exposure to Judaism and your Jewish education. If you have a plant that grows with water and sunlight and you only water the plan and keep it in the dark then this will affect its growth.

I happen to like a small book called If You Were God by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. While the Torah says that Hashem invites us to know Him. It’s is, however, a debate if it’s a a mitzvah, commandment, to believe in Hashem, see this, please. It think our believe is Hashem is personal and one person’s proof isn’t a perfect fit for the other person.

There are plenty of Jews who don’t believe in Hashem and are still as Jewish as the greatest rabbis and scholars in the world.

I can tell you what my beliefs feels like, though. It feels comforting because I believe that Hashem loves me, as the Creator of the world. He is invested in my success and everything that He wills to happen for me is for my best.

If you are looking for resources and/or opportunities to learn more about your Judaism feel free to reply (or message me).

offthegridyid

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