Jewish Prompts for Journaling

1. Why did you choose Judaism for yourself? (or) What about Jewish culture fulfills
you most?
2. What Hebrew name did you choose/are you thinking about? (or) What is your
Hebrew name?
3. Who/what do you believe G-d is? (or) How do you connect with the world around
you?
4. What does practicing Jewish traditions mean for you?
5. What is your favorite part of the Torah? (or) Do you have a favorite ancient
Jewish text or writing you connect with?
6. What is your favorite Jewish holiday?
7. What is your Jewish community like?
8. What is your ideal point of observance look like to you? (or) What does an ideal
Jewish secular life look like to you?
9. What is your favorite Jewish food?
10. Who is your favorite male Jewish figure?
11. Who is your favorite female Jewish figure?
12. Do you have any favorite fictional media that includes Jewish identity?
13. What is your favorite mitzvah?
14. What does the phrase "tikkun olam" or repairing the world mean to you?
15. How do you display your Jewish identity to others?
16. What is one thing about Judaism that taught you a valuable idea or lesson?
17. What is your favorite biblical Jewish story? (or) What is your favorite Jewish
joke?
18. What is your favorite Jewish phrase?
19. If you belong to a synagogue, what has your Rabbi taught you that you find the
most important? (or) Do you want to go to a synagogue?
20. How has Judaism helped you process emotions like grief or pain? (or) Do you
feel being raised in Jewish culture has made your ideas of forgiveness different?
21. How has Judaism (or Jewish culture) helped you feel at peace?
22. Do you belong to branch, and why did you choose that one? (or) How important
is it for you to have solidarity with other Jewish people? What does that look like
to you?
23. How do your other identities work with you being a Jewish person? (or) Have you
found some commonalities or representations of your identities while converting?
What has surprised you?
24. What is your favorite Jewish language?
25. What is your favorite Jewish prayer and why? (or) Are there any Jewish songs or
poems you really enjoy?
26. Is there anything you would change about your Jewish community or practice?
27. Have you ever been to a Jewish camp or retreat? (or) Do you want to go to a
Jewish camp or retreat?
28. Do you want to make aliyah to Israel?
29. How do you imagine Judaism in the future?
30. If you had to sum up Judaism in three sentences, what would you say? (or) If you
had to sum up what being Jewish is, what would you say?
31. Can you write or speak in any Jewish languages? (Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish,
Judeo-Arabic, and more!) (or) Do you plan on learning any Jewish languages?
32. Is there any Jewish person you'd like to meet and talk to one day?
33. Do you have a favorite Jewish podcast? (or) What is your favorite source for
commentary on Jewish topics?
34. What's your biggest challenge with Judaism right now?
35. Do you think anything happens after one passes?
36. What does "two Jews, three opinions" mean to you?
37. Do you have Jewish family/relative/historical ties? (or) Are you wanting to craft
your own Jewish family?
38. Who do you look up to? Are they Jewish?
39. Are there Jewish traditions or rituals you have made yourself or your family has
made?
40. Have you ever tried and/or learned any Kabbalistic practices?
41. How important is the concept of a Jewish community to you?
42. How has being Jewish impacted your day-to-day life in surprising ways?
43. Do you believe the Torah was written by G-d on Mt. Sinai? (Or) What do you
think is the most important lesson we can learn from our historical texts?
44. What is your favorite Jewish community organization? (Examples: Chabad, Hillel,
Moishe House, JCC, etc.)
45. Debate time: Latkes or Hamantaschen? Sour cream or applesauce?
46. What is your favorite Jewish book and why?
47. Read up on a Jewish community in any country/area of your choice. Who were
they and what is an interesting fact about them?
48. What is your opinion on people having tattoos with Hebrew or Jewish
symbology?
49. What’s your favorite Jewish social justice organization? (Examples: Avodah, Uri
L’tzedek, Torah Trumps Hate, JFREJ, and more)
50. What do you think from Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) is the most important
ethical lesson? (PDF is free to view online of the entire document, 17 pages!)