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Being a partner in an Interfaith relationship, I thoroughly enjoyed Rabbi Yitzi's "New Beginnings" program. This class provided a safe place for me, raised a Catholic, to learn about the faith and culture of my Jewish family. My interests and the interests of many participating in the class with me were sparked by Rabbi Yitzi. Through his guidance, inspiration and teaching, I have started down the path to becoming a Jew.
Rabbi Yitzi clearly conveys the obligations of belonging to a community, and to contributing back and working to sustain the Jewish Community. He inspires me to be a better individual, and to work together to improve things for our entire Community.
I am thoroughly thankful to have experienced Rabbi Yitzi's energy, intellect, perspective and most of all his guidance and look forward to taking classes with him in the future.
-Carson Smith
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Welcome!
I specialize in individualized programs that start with "where each person is at" and help each person develop and affirm their connection to Judaism. I particularly specialize in programs that provide not just Jewish education, but also provide expert support in identity development and the emotional processes of affirming a Jewish identity.
Typically we spend 1 session every 2-3 weeks with you doing guided learning and spiritual exploration in between.
This process can speed up or slow down depending on your needs and timeframe.
Though every situation is highly individual (based on depth of study a person wishes, the person's own learning capabilities, and the person's experience with Judaism), the educational portion of this process typically requires 8-15 sessions. The amount of identity-development support that a person needs (affected by things like their ability to regularly attend a synagogue, challenges with family, etc) will greatly affect the number of sessions required.
My central expertise and passion is providing not just Jewish education, but support and guidance for the full intellectual, emotional, and spiritual process of affirming one's Jewish identity:
Basic Jewish Education
(all topics at a basic level plus 2-3 topics of each student's interest at a deeper level. Topics which a student has already covered elsewhere need not be included in our study)
- Holidays
- Lifecycle Ceremonies
- Traditions and Customs
- Philosophy/Theology
- Texts
- History
- Prayer & Spirituality
- Hebrew available but not required
Identity Development Support
(the psychological and spiritual process of religious identity development)
- How and when to make the decision
- How and when to tell other people
- Impact on immediate and extended family
- Incorporating the past into the future
- “Feeling Jewish”
- “Acting Jewish”
Fostering & Facilitating Connection with Community
- Finding a synagogue
- Making Jewish connections
- Reflections about Israel
- Obligations as a Jew
Please click here to contact me about conversion to Judaism
Please click here for a fee schedule
Video Introduction to Conversion
