Reply To: Where to start becoming Jewish when family roots discovered

Hello zahavasdad, daniela, and ready now,

Thank you for your continuing suggestions and explanations about ways to go about beginning an Orthodox life.

zahavasdad and daniela, before my mother or I knew that she was ill, I brought up the topic of me becoming Jewish, and I had been moving towards this for some time prior to learning of her illness. My mother is not interested in going down this road to becoming an observant Jew herself — nor is anyone else in my family. My family knows what I am doing and are supportive of me. My mother and brother find our family roots to be interesting but not life-changing.

daniela, I am not near an Orthodox synagogue, only reform and conservative, so I have not made in-person contact yet with an Orthodox rabbi. I do not live in an area with many observant Jewish people.

I really value all of your thoughts and input — I know you have taken a lot of time to write me thoughtful replies and help me.