You can be Jewish by observing the anniversary of a loved ones death. Since this is done once a year it is call a Yahrzeit. Use the English date if that makes the most sense to you. You observe by lighting a candle that burns for 24 hours. 

There are Yahrzeit candles available at major supermarkets and on line, however the candle is a reminder and a symbol, this means that the choice of candle is not important, lighting it is to help us remember.

Are you crazy or are you just meshugganah? Perhaps you are just a nudnik and only act like a vilde Chaya. Learn some Yiddish that is not inappropriate and your mother wouldn’t wash your mouth out with soap for saying them. In no way are these words considered vulgar or swearing they really are descriptive.

Kvetching, is very Jewish, complaining may be the easiest way to be Jewish because you complain without even thinking. Admit it, you already are complaining about what you are reading. Kvetching comes naturally, but in Judaism it is an art. Anyone can be a complainer, but a Jewish complaint has class and style.

Do you feel like being challenged each day for the next month? It’s called the Rabbi Block challenge, what else would you call it. You may have heard it before in different phrasing, because many cultures embrace this concept. “Don’t do anything to another person that you would not want done to you.” That is one side of a coin but let’s flip it over to the other side of the coin “whatever you do to another person is something that you would like done to you.” That is my challenge to you. 

Sprinkle in some Hebrew to be Jewish. You are already saying Oy Vey, but that is negative. In this chapter let’s introduce a little Hebrew into your life. Here are some other words you can use that can incorporate Jewish culture into your life.

Say goodbye to the Sabbath at Havdallah. Havdallah is the end of Shabbat and prepares you for the week ahead. As opposed to the Shabbat dinner that is the night before, so what’s the difference? Why do you need to do two nights in a row? Can’t you just do them both on the same evening?

It is time to have a conversation with God. You can speak out load, or you can speak softly, you can shout, you can formulate the words in your mind, you can stand if you wish, sit if you wish, raise your hands, fold your hands, do what you like. Begin with the salutation of your choice. I like “Hello God, its me”.

Making latkes and lighting candles for Hanukkah are both easy and fun ways to be Jewish in 30 seconds. Decorating your home in blue and white lights adds to the festival. Chanukah decorations abound online and in stores and there is no way that you can over decorate and minimize the holiday. Chanukah is a holiday that celebrates religious freedom, so you decide what is appropriate.

You can choose to be happy instead of choosing to be right. Excessive human pride would have us choose to be right regardless of the situation. It doesn’t have to be this way. Happiness, serenity, and peace can be yours. You can begin by practicing Shalom Ha’Bayit, peace in your place of residence. Evidently, you’ve been practicing shalom Ha’Bayit for a while without even realizing it! Now you are going to practice it intentionally.

Pinocchio had Jimmy Cricket, Peter Pan had Tinker belle, and Homer Simson had angel Homer, you have Morris Ayin. Being Jewish in 30 seconds means you listen to Morris. Think of Morris as your appearance advisor, your life coach, your own Jimmy Cricket, Morris will help you project the best image of yourself and isn’t that what you want? Yes you do, you want your best self to shine outward. Pause for a moment, right now, and you will feel Morris’ presence.