Thursday, March 31, 2011

Happiness is...

A supportive family and friends.

Truly.

This past Sunday, my mum and dad were over for my dad's birthday and mum and I went to pick the girls up from Hebrew school.  My mum asked me a few questions regarding my conversion process, whether I would be upset if the roadblock (mentioned in an earlier post) becomes permanent and that I am unable to convert through the Bais Din.  I replied that I really didn't know.  But I do know that her questions were not out of animosity, but rather concern that I might not be able to 'handle' bad news.  I do understand where her concern lies and I appreciate it.

To that end, she has also been extremely supportive.  She does not keep a kosher home, and I don't expect her to start.  However, whenever we come over, she tells me if we're having dairy or meat, and does not mix them anymore.

She also told me that my sister asked for 'beef casserole' for her birthday (turkey, not beef, though) so that I would know that I can't eat it.   Beef casserole has cheese in it along with the meat.  So I sent her home with some leftovers so that that Sunday I would be able able to eat.

My friends are always asking if they come over, what they can bring.  My sister in law, who is coming for dinner tomorrow, with her family, is bringing a salad, and asked whether we'd be having meat or parve or milk. (Meat - chicken soup, etc.)

So, that's that then.

My Path Continues - and Seems to Lengthen in the Process

I hadn't realized it's been almost three months since my last post!!

So, what's happened on my journey since January 15?

I finally got in touch with the Bais Din (the Judaic court) and got my intake forms.  I filled them out and went over them with my rabbi.  Seriously - the  list of 'recommended reading' books is longer than an undergrad med student with a minor in poli.sci!!  But my rabbi went through the list and gave me an idea of which books would be most beneficial, which books were good to have just to have regardless, and which books are so outdated or so out of the scope of what is really needed for conversion.  

Following that visit with my rabbi, I submitted my forms...

And then I hit a roadblock.

Originally, the rabbi at the Bais Din wanted to meet with me the week of April 4-7 (next week) until he read through my intake form and realized that my husband - who is not in the process of converting - works on Saturdays and therefore does not observe the Sabbath.  He said he would then like to wait to meet when my husband stops working on Saturdays.

That's probably  never going to happen.  Matthew works for his dad and I doubt he would accept "observing the Sabbath" as a reason for Matthew not working on Saturday.  Let alone the guilt factor that would be laid on thick.  So I mentioned this to my rabbi.  I don't have a problem with him working on Saturdays.  I can accept it and respect his decision to continue to work on Saturdays.  I don't work Saturdays and I will continue to observe the Sabbath with the girls.   So now I'm just waiting for my rabbi to give me some idea of how to proceed from here.

On the home front - we have switched over to dairy and meat cutlery (the girls now love being kosher because we get to use the cool blue cutlery when we're having dairy meals!!)  I haven't switched dishes yet, but I do have grandma's set as my second. 

Passover is going to be a whole different deal this year!  I have determined we will use paper products and plastic cutlery for the week.  I am not buying a set of dishes specifically for this holiday.  Paper will work well enough.  I do want to get a pot and pan or two for the holiday - but we'll see.  Maybe I'll hit Ikea and get a small pan and a pot.  I also have a lot of work to do getting rid of "the Chametz" and all the stuff that is not Kosher for Passover, and simply not kosher (like Cream of Chicken Soup).

Oh, here's a funny observance I made - I think you'll find it humorous as well....

I was looking at my V-H Butter Chicken sauce in my cupboard.  Lo and behold - it's kosher - kosher dairy.  Well, guess what - you can't use V-H Butter Chicken sauce on CHICKEN!! It has cream in it - therefore it can not be served with chicken. Soooo.... what to do?  Well, my decision is tonight will be "butter tofu" as part of the indian meal I am going to cook - we'll have butter tofu, aloo ghobi (pototatoes and cauliflour), naan and roti.  It'll be mostly dairly and vegetarian, but that's okay. 

So, I think that's about it for now.  If I think of anything else (and hey - it's been almost 3 months - I'll probably think of something!!) I'll post more.

Have a wonderful day!!