S/O Would it be okay to celebrate Jewish holidays at home, as a non-Jew, to explore conversion?

[Anonymous]

Playing at the traditions hoping that belief will follow seems backassward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, where do you live? I recently converted to Judaism, and started my path taking an Introduction to Judaism class offered by URJ. You can find the list of classes here: https://reformjudaism.org/learning/judaism-classes/class-search

My classmates came from a wide variety of religious backgrounds, and it was a great way to learn more about other cultures.

Agree with PP and the one who recommended going to a temple. The best way to really learn if you want to become part of a religion is to talk with experts in the religion. This is where you are going to find them. Just doing traditions in your home isn't going to get you there. The traditions/rituals are just a way to enact/remind oneself of the tenets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, it wouldn't be okay. Because what you're saying is "I'm going to do the fun parts of Judaism - making the foods and saying things that sound funny - to see if I like it enough to take on this religion." That's being culturally Jewish - those converted Jews are always the ones who make jokes about being cheap and liking bagels and then claim "I can make these jokes, because I'm jewish."

The religion is not about eating matzoh or pushing yourself to fast on Yom Kippur.

If you want to explore Judaism then GO TO TEMPLE. Go to Friday night services and Saturday morning services, make an appointment to speak with the rabbi and ask questions. Learn about showing up for the mourners who are there every night after dinner to be part of the minyan in case it's needed You don't have to be a member of a temple to attend services. Pick a temple that has a conversion program. Ask questions about it.

Agree with this... You need some guidance OP. Otherwise it's just cosplay. But then again, you can do whatever you want in your own home and no one would know

+2. You should do some learning to be able to explore this properly for yourself. A lot of Jewish holidays are more observed than celebrated, meaning they are not necessarily fun. That doesn't mean they aren't warm experiences filled with meaning and family, but they aren't 100% happy like, say, Christmas. There's a solemnity to Passover and even to Rosh Hashanah -- to say nothing of Yom Kippur. A lot revolves around remembering the suffering of our ancestors and the martyrdom of previous generations of Jews.

Hanukkah is fun but in its American form it's really a holiday for kids. The story is one of celebrating survival and resistance to assimilation. Purim is similar.

Nothing wrong with exploring them but it's kind of hard to do without context. There must be synagogues that offer classes for folks considering conversion, or non-Jewish spouses, or something. That would be a good place to start. That, and attending shul, once we can all attend again.

[Anonymous]

Jews don’t care if you do this. There are so many of these questions on here? Why would anyone care what other people do? How does it in any way affect them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, it wouldn't be okay. Because what you're saying is "I'm going to do the fun parts of Judaism - making the foods and saying things that sound funny - to see if I like it enough to take on this religion." That's being culturally Jewish - those converted Jews are always the ones who make jokes about being cheap and liking bagels and then claim "I can make these jokes, because I'm jewish."

The religion is not about eating matzoh or pushing yourself to fast on Yom Kippur.

If you want to explore Judaism then GO TO TEMPLE. Go to Friday night services and Saturday morning services, make an appointment to speak with the rabbi and ask questions. Learn about showing up for the mourners who are there every night after dinner to be part of the minyan in case it's needed You don't have to be a member of a temple to attend services. Pick a temple that has a conversion program. Ask questions about it.

The bolded makes absolutely no sense. A non-Jew cannot be part of a minyan. And in no place did OP say that they only wanted to explore the fun parts of Judaism.

OP, do what you need to do to explore the religion. And if through that exploration you think you want to convert then talk to a rabbi and find out what you need to do. Best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

OP, along with reform Judaism, you might want to explore reconstructionist Judaism. Either might be a good fit for you.

[Anonymous]

Since you're interested in the possibility of conversion, I think it's ok. You're not doing it for fun or to post on social media how woke you are because spin a dreidel. Explore. Got to a service. Speak to a rabbi. Read the texts. Learn the WHYs behind the common knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Playing at the traditions hoping that belief will follow seems backassward.

+1

[Anonymous]

Enjoy. Tonight is Shabbat... you can find an online Shabbat service to listen to. I think it’s a great way to start.

[Anonymous]

Look in to ethical culture instead.

[Anonymous]

The way people convert to Judaism is by first walking the walk.

So this should be just fine. I recommend a course - there are plenty out there. Truly -- the goal is to learn and make an educated decision it is not to indoctrinate you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Playing at the traditions hoping that belief will follow seems backassward.

Well, declaring belief before doing the learning seems bassackward to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, along with reform Judaism, you might want to explore reconstructionist Judaism. Either might be a good fit for you.

+1. I would definitely look into if there are reconstructionist congregations in your area.

https://www.reconstructingjudaism.org/article/reconstructionism-explained

[Anonymous]

You really need to celebrate with Jews. Just reading about it and trying the prayers out yourself would not get the right feel of the holiday. And Judaism is about community... we never celebrate on our own.

Obviously that’s very hard to do during Covid. Maybe you can hold off until next year and try then.

But offensive? No, it’s not offensive.

[Anonymous]

OP, look into Jewish Humanism... no belief in God required but brings the community and tradition elements of Judaism.