In many ways, food brought me to Judaism. My husband was born in Israel; several years ago, he took me to visit his homeland for the first time. I was exposed to the incredible Israeli food culture, and I quickly fell in love with the rich history of Middle Eastern cuisine. I came back from that trip with a mission—to recreate the amazing flavors I’d tasted in our home kitchen. I began cooking for our Jewish holiday celebrations and baking challah for Shabbat. As I immersed myself in the ritual tradition of cooking, learning to make dishes that are centuries old (and in some cases even older), I finally felt at home… like I was returning to a place that made my spirit happy.
Last Thursday, I completed that journey home by converting to Judaism. Surrounded by family, under the guidance of my rabbi, I embraced the Jewish faith. I faced the beit din, was immersed in the mikveh, and felt the ancient echoes of our ancestors ring through me. I found my tribe. It was a powerful, beautiful day—one I will never forget.
This journey started back in college, long before I met my husband. I was not raised in a religion; my parents gave me the gift of choice when it came to spirituality. I’ve always known on a deep level that God exists, but the context for understanding my Creator was unclear. For many years I felt adrift, doing my best to find peace in the midst of chaos. Then I took a college writing course called “The Holocaust,” in which I was asked to examine this most heinous event in human history. Signing up for this class proved to be a life-altering choice. I was consumed by memoirs like Night, The Diary of Anne Frank, and All but My Life. I yearned to know the Jewish people better — to understand their faith, optimism and hope, even in the darkest of times. I left the class full of curiosity, my heart open and ready to learn more. It was the beginning of my spiritual awakening, a journey that finally came full circle last week.
For me, becoming Jewish is about joining a larger family and community. What drew me to the Jewish faith was the focus on family, tradition, and reaching out to help others in need. A big part of being Jewish is acknowledging a responsibility to your fellow humans by spreading positive energy in this increasingly complex world. I have accepted that responsibility, and it makes my heart very happy.
I’m sharing this experience with all of you because I feel that food is more than just sustenance. Food is a way of communicating; the energy we pass on through our cooking feeds the body as well as the soul. By writing this blog, and taking a journey into the history of food, I hope to spread positive energy. In the same way a good meal makes people happy, I hope that this blog… and the recipes and stories you find here… make you happy. Every kitchen has a heritage; every recipe has a writer. Knowing the story behind the food– the ancient history, or the family history, or even the history of one particular ingredient– can infuse a dish with meaning. And then a meal becomes more than just food, something that fills you up physically. Food takes on a spiritual significance, and ultimately becomes more nourishing.
I used to call this blog The Shiksa in the Kitchen, and it’s still a nickname that makes me smile. But times change and people grow; as a reflection of me, this website must also evolve to proudly reflect a new stage in my life. You’ll see some changes coming to the site over the next year, and hopefully those changes will more clearly reflect who I am as a person and as a new “member of the Tribe.” I am thrilled to have you join me on this journey.
If you read my blog, you are probably somebody who loves food. That’s something we all share. A good meal can bring warmth and joy to anybody, no matter who you are or where you come from. I welcome all faiths and backgrounds to join me on my journey into the heart of food history. Everybody is welcome here. Our diversity makes us stronger!
Yelena says
Mazel tov on your conversion. I was born Jewish but my family was not religious and I am now a baal teshuvah.
Your recipes are great and your pictures nearly as delicious!
Perhaps this is a person question so feel free not to answer but did you have an orthodox conversion?
Naomi says
Hello – love the blog, am definitely going to try the charoset truffles for Seder. I converted too – just a few weeks ago, and I’m still blissfully happy and want to tell everyone. My journey was similar to yours in many ways although I do now keep strictly kosher. Mazel tov and keep blogging!
half-jewish says
I enjoyed your writing. My mother is a shiksa (and my father a self-denying Jewish athiest). I haven’t quite made my peace with it, but hopefully soon. I love Jewish people and Jewish culture and Jewish history and Jewish religion, but I think I would rather embrace the contradiction of being half-Jewish than convert just so that everything fits neatly into a nice pre-defined category.
Chava Lynn says
Welcome to Am Yisrael!
I too was a Shiksa in my former life. I stumbled upon your site today and was so happy! I can not wait to make your cheese latkes for Chanukah. I was moved how many people have also converted, for many of the same reasons, I sincerely had no idea there are so many of us. (at least in admittance of!) Thank you so much for food, fun and history. You have a regular added to your list. Best to you Tori
shevy says
so inspiring! i especially love how you write back to every comment, its very personal! (don’t worry you don’t have to write back to this one 😉
katie i says
beautiful story. i converted in 2005 for many of the reasons you listed. mazel tov on your journey and blog! (wish i took a picture when i did my conversion) doh! 🙂
Esther says
I like this site, I am also JBC. I have a very picky eater for a boyfriend. I grew up Italian and he won’t eat what I am used to cooking. Hopefully, I will find something more like what he is used to on here. Is there any way to make corned beef more palatable? Other than making it into a reuben sandwich?
Tori Avey says
Esther, this week is perfect for you– lots of Med/Italian influence in the recipes I’ll be posting. As far as your boyfriend is concerned, it’s hard to imagine turning down home cooked Italian food! What is his background– I’m assuming he’s Jewish? I can point you to some recipes he might like if you let me know where his family is from. Corned beef is one of those things that you either love or hate. There isn’t much you can do to change it, the flavor is very distinct.
BRUCE says
This is a MOST interesting blog. Wow ! I wish you all well and loved the personal stories of conversion and the love of the Jewish foods. Great job Tori !
Tori Avey says
Thank you Bruce, Safiyyah, and Dewi! So happy you found the blog. Welcome! 🙂
Safiyyah says
Mabrook! (Congrats) My mother was a shiksa.
Dewi says
Tori,
I am so happy to found your blog. I am a “Siksha” too. I will need to learn a lot from you. Thank you so much.
Love,
Dewi
Tori Avey says
Cheryl, Rolly, Diane, Risa, Barb, Rowena, Christie– sorry it took me a while to respond to your comments, I haven’t checked back with this post in a while. Thank you so much for all your supportive words! This journey has been the most fulfilling of my life so far, I am truly enjoying being part of the Tribe. 🙂
Rowena, even though you don’t connect with the spiritual side of Judaism, I do hope you have a chance to explore some of the cultural traditions. Cooking is one part of it, so it sounds like you’ve already started with your MIL’s kugel! Judaism is a cultural heritage in addition to being a spiritual belief system. Like Diane’s comment above illustrates, we can embrace certain parts of that historical heritage whether or not we are religious. I have found celebrating those cultural traditions (like Shabbat dinner) to be a wonderful way of enriching our family life and celebrating our diversity.
Either way, I’m happy you’ve found the site and hope you are enjoying the recipes! 🙂
Christie says
I made a Conservative conversion 11 year ago (time flies!). I love my people, love our food. I am so glad you have found the right path for yourself.
Rowena says
I’m sure your conversion made your fiance’s family happy. I am a shiksa engaged to a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn, whose family is NOT at all happy about this situation. But I am a hard-core atheist, so I see no point in converting from one superstition I don’t believe in to another.
However, the kugel his mother makes is wonderful, and I did get the recipe. 😉 & I am looking forward to making your pumpkin challah.
Barb says
Don’t know why, but reading this is bringing tears to my eyes. I’m an emotional basket case. Welcome to the tribe! I can see you have a Jewish sense of humour 🙂
Risa Utley says
Hi, I found out about seven years ago that I do have a natural Jewish heritage. My great-grandfather was a Jew, however no one in the family would ever admit nor acknowledge it. But due to his name, I am 100% confident (Solomon Zelner). I am loving “exploring” my heritage, even though I was not raised in it at all. I am enjoying your site, and am going to be trying some of your recipes.
Diane says
I’m really enjoying your blog and trying your recipes. I too am a shiksa married to a Jew — have been now for over 31 years, and we still really happy. Neither of us are religious so there was no issue of conversion either way. But we both are strongly connected to family, culture, tradition, and being part of a bigger world. So we celebrate both families’ holidays with as much respect and authenticity as we can muster. And since our children are Chinese, we’re learning some of those customs and holiday celebrations too. So our house is a fun place to visit on Passover, Christmas, Chinese New Year, etc. Thanks for the care you take to do things right and to explain the connection to the bigger Jewish picture. We are really all members of this bigger world and it does us all good to stay connected to it.
Rolly says
Mazal Tov!
Cheryl says
It’s so nice to hear of people coming in when so many seem to be leaving. Welcome to all of you. It is a pleasure to have you. Judaism is a joy. Enjoy it.
Merle says
I came across your site looking for a newspaper article. What a wonderful find. I am a Jew by birth, but my mother didn’t Tradition! Plus we were not allowed in the kitchen to cook. Finding your recipes warms a part of my heart that was needing warming. Thank you, for taking the time and humor.
Warm regards,
Merle
Tori Avey says
Rebecca, welcome! Hope you’re enjoying the blog. Let us know how your conversion is going!
Aline, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss… very happy you’re here with us.
Thank you for reading Merle! xo
Aline Rabrich says
Congrats on your conversion….I am also a Shiksa, who never converted but was married for 14 glorious years to my beloved Alan. Alan passed away in February of 2010 and I find myself craving matzos and chicken soup.