Why Is Converting to Judaism So Expensive? 💸 (And How to Save) | Conversion on a Budget Part 1

✨ Ready for more support as you build your Jewish life? Find out more about my membership, Bayit Builders: https://buildingajewishlife.com/membe...

Converting to Judaism can feel overwhelming - not just spiritually, but financially too. 💸 From classes and books to kosher food, synagogue memberships, and ritual items, the costs add up quickly. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a bottomless wallet to build a Jewish life.

In this video, I break down:
✅ Why conversion costs vary so much
✅ What’s normal and fair to pay (and what’s a red flag 🚩)
✅ Practical tips to keep Jewish life sustainable without going broke
✅ How I handled conversion expenses as a broke student

If you’ve ever wondered “Do I have to spend thousands to convert?” - this is for you.

📚 Explore more Jewish life resources: https://buildingajewishlife.com

Part 1: This video
Part 2:    • The Sneaky Costs of Converting to Judaism ...  
Part 3:    • Is Converting to Judaism More Expensive Th...  

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⏱️ Time Stamps
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00:00 Intro
03:27 Why is conversion so expensive?
04:26 Basic costs
04:59 Should rabbis charge for their time?
05:24 Financial red flags in the conversion process
05:53 If it feels like a grift to you, probably no one else respects their conversions
06:00 Can you ask financial questions?
06:31 Beit din fees
08:09 Mikvah fees
08:52 Circumcision fees
09:07 Unofficial costs of the beit din
09:24 Fees for the rabbis involved
10:23 Community costs
11:24 Will you be required to relocate for your conversion?
11:52 Ask your beit din whether you need to relocate
12:03 If you’re married or living together…
12:45 The wild requirement in the UK
13:39 If you can’t relocate immediately
16:15 Travel to Jewish events
17:14 Document the journey

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💙 Recommendations
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Find my full recommendation list in the Jewish Life Resource Guide at https://buildingajewishlife.com/resou...

📚 Books
Choosing a Jewish Life by Diamant: https://amzn.to/4mc4UrF
To Be a Jew by Donin: https://amzn.to/3HxC1a6
How to Run a Traditional Jewish Household by Greenberg: https://amzn.to/4mYbvWP
Leaving Bacon Behind by Marsh: https://amzn.to/3UWGNRG
Artscroll Torah/Chumash (1st 5 books of the Bible): https://amzn.to/41BHO5p
JPS Tanach (full Bible): https://amzn.to/45cXePP
Artscroll Tanach (different translation): https://amzn.to/41xjIbW
Children’s Torah/Bible book: The Family Torah by MacLeod https://amzn.to/4oyeWVt

📖 Prayerbooks
How to choose a Jewish prayer book/siddur/machzor (with links): https://buildingajewishlife.com/2014/...

👗🧣 Clothing
Women and girls’ modest clothing, workout gear, and swimwear: Kosher Casual https://amzn.to/4mzNkgT
Headscarves: Wrapunzel (IRL friend) https://amzn.to/4osBxD3

🏠 Home
Plata for Shabbat and holidays (only one I recommend - made with safety and Jewish observance in mind): TechYidCo. Shabbos Safe Warming Tray https://amzn.to/45u0G7D
Appliance timer (use an appliance timer for anything more powerful than a lamp): Sunlite T200 24hr Heavy Duty Appliance Timer https://amzn.to/3UU4I46
Hot water urn (75% of people have this exact one, including me): Hamilton Beach https://amzn.to/47aW3C3
Kosher kitchen labels (still using 15 years later): The Kosher Cook https://amzn.to/410E8dc
Crock-pot Slow Cooker: https://amzn.to/47n8WZx
Instant Pot (don’t use the crockpot feature for Shabbat/holidays): https://amzn.to/4lysXA4
Kosher Lamp for Shabbat https://amzn.to/3J96n3r
Yair Emanuel Judaica https://amzn.to/45uq658

🎥 Biz Gear
Camera: Refurbished iPhone 16 https://amzn.to/41Fkofp
DJI Mic Mini microphone https://amzn.to/4mEIaQV
Weilisi 12'' Ring Light https://amzn.to/411yJ5K
EUCOS 62" Phone Tripod https://amzn.to/4lrHAVN
Link in bio tool: Stan.Store https://join.stan.store/BetzelemElokim

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👩🏻‍🦰 Who Am I?
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Hi, I’m Kochava - a Jewish convert who’s been helping people navigate the conversion process with clarity, compassion, and real-life support since 2010.
Whether you're just starting out, stuck somewhere in the messy middle, or figuring out post-mikvah Jewish life, you're in the right place.

🕯 I offer one-on-one coaching, printable guides, and practical resources made especially for conversion candidates and new Jews. You’ll also find years of blog posts full of encouragement, halachic help, and no-BS answers at https://buildingajewishlife.com/

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🔗 Let’s connect:
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Website, Blog, & Mailing List: https://buildingajewishlife.com/ Instagram @BetzelemElokim:   / betzelemelokim  
TikTok @BetzelemElokim:   / betzelemelokim  
Work with me: https://buildingajewishlife.com/work-...

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