D. emails: “I didn’t grow up religious, but I’m in love with the Orthodox lifestyle. I interpret the Torah more metaphorically than literally, but I want to participate regardless. Matters are complicated by my girlfriend being Chinese and agnostic. I love her dearly, and she has what I consider to be a Jewish soul. She would like to become Jewish, but I don’t want her to be uncomfortable. At the same time, I don’t want to be uncomfortable because I’m less of a strict interpretationalist than most Jews. Do you have any advice for me?”
Hi D., Find a shul where you like the people, perhaps where there are people in your profession. These other things don’t matter much if you’ll just keep them to yourself, don’t talk about your differences to the people in the shul, don’t show off how different you are, how you think differently. I often go to shul and just talk to friends the whole time. Women are flexible, they’ll accommodate you here. First few times you go to an Orthodox shul, however, definitely leave your Chinese GF behind until you are known and liked there, and then bring her with the idea of converting.
