I just wrote this in response to someone asking about conversion.
If your mother was Jewish, you don’t need to convert, first of all. Judaism is matriarchal (it runs through the women) and even if you weren’t raised that way, you are. Now, if your mothers father was Jewish, and not her mother, then you aren’t Jewish by lineage. It has to be a unending line through the women. See, we are good for something lol
Outside of that, find a rabbi. Interview local synagogues. See which one you like. I grew up “conservadox” (somewhere in between conservative and orthodox) and more or less stay there. I hear the reform Jews are super lenient, and much of my family is reform. There is also a new movement… I can’t remember the name of it, that is very laid back.
DON’T JUMP INTO JUDAISM ALL AT ONCE! Not shouting, just loud. It wont work. There is too much. Pick one thing a week or even a month, depending on the size of it, and try it on, if it takes, good for you! If not, pick something else.
I am a traditional Jew, not an observant one. I benched after dinner for the first time in years last night (we were invited to Shabbos dinner, and I was given a book so I did. I was mighty proud of myself for remembering how!) and while I say once a week isn’t much to commit to, I don’t do it. Why? It’s not important to me. However, I do pray over the dead, for all yarzeits, for births, and a few other important dates. While I’m not a high holiday Jew (I actually avoid shul then, too crowded) I’m not a daily walk to and from Jew either. Maybe somewhere in between?
I’m sure this didn’t answer anything you asked. Judaism is the only religion to also be a race and a lifestyle. I know Christianity is a lifestyle, but in Judaism, you are living the Torah everyday (if you follow it that way). You are eating according to those rules, doing mitzvahs, giving charity, praying, and conducting your life around it. It’s a lot to take in, and it’s fascinating. Of course you don’t have to do everything, I don’t know many who do, but I think to make the decision not to do something you need to know about it anyway.
Check out chabad.org (they are the super frummies, but that site is so chock full of information, and if you have a Chabad house near you, give them a call or visit, they welcome everyone) and also jewfaq.org is informative.
