Question
I have a 9-month-old son from a previous relationship with a non-Jewish woman. She voluntarily relinquished custody and I am raising him as a single father. I am now in a relationship with a Jewish woman I am hoping to marry someday. She is interested in becoming religiously observant someday and is hoping to bring me in that direction too if we get married. I am strongly considering it myself, but it’ll be a long road. I grew up as the only Jew in my neighborhood, had almost no exposure to Jewish life, and I know almost nothing. Is there any way I can convert my son to Judaism? Can I get him circumcised? Can I educate him in Judaism? Can I take these steps when he is young, or do I have to wait until he grows up and let him make his own choice?

Question
Dear Rabbi, a cousin of mine is pregnant. What’s the accepted way to congratulate her? The only thing that comes to mind is “mazel tov” but somehow that doesn’t sound right. Thanks.

Question
My mother passed away 1 year ago. The wedding will be incredibly difficult without her and in addition, when it comes to jewish weddings a mother plays an important role. I will get married in an orthodox ceremony (United Synagogue, London) and would like to be escorted just by my dad to the chuppah. I can’t imagine having somebody else by my side. I would like to know if there are any rules or laws that would allow or forbid that? I would be fine walking alone if necessary but not with an aunt or a friend by my site. I appreciate all your help!

Question
Dear Rabbi, My child recently came home from school and complained that some classmates are picking on him. He doesn’t want to tattle on them to the teacher because this could cause the classmates to pick on him even more. Rabbi, please advise me on the “Jewish way” to help him. Thank you!

Question
I am getting married in August. The officiant will be a conservative rabbi. She says we must have two witnesses who are Sabbath-observant men to sign our ketubah. My best friend grew up observing the Sabbath, went ‘off the derech' for many years, and then returned to full observance three years ago. Does he qualify as a witness?

Question
Sivan 28, 5782. Our mother passed away recently. My brother lives in a region of the city far from where my sister and I live. He insists that the shloshim ceremony shall take place in the synagogue near where he lives, in the morning, because in the afternoon there’s no minian. My sister and I would like this ceremony to take place near where we live, where there’s always a minian. We can’t get to an agreement. What shall we do?

Question
Is there any requirement in Jewish law to name your child a Jewish or Hebrew name? I am pregnant with my first daughter. I want to name her after my grandmother. My grandmother was not Jewish (my mother converted before my parents met). But she was still my grandmother. She was my favorite person I ever knew. I spent more time with her than with my parents when I was growing up because my parents both worked. She made me who I am today. And though she was a devout Christian who attended church every Sunday, she was close to the Jewish community. Almost all her friends were Jews, and her Jewish friends inspired my mother’s conversion, something she was very proud of. She had more exposure in her life to Judaism than her own faith. She understood Jewish laws and traditions well and kept a kosher home so we could all eat there. She was an incredible woman who is very deserving. I think of her as a ger tzedek. The times I had with her were the best times I ever had. Sadly she passed away four years ago and I miss her very much. I want to name a daughter after her and call her by that name. The name she had is not biblical and is very popular among Christians but almost unheard of among Jews. There is no Hebrew equivalent and are no existing Hebrew names that remotely resemble it.

Question
the day of the kvura was May 16 in the morning. what day would the shloshim come out. thank you