The Challenge of Being Welcoming

kveller.com logo with pink letters and white backgroundI have some thoughts on the difference between saying you’re welcoming and being welcoming. The former is easy and the latter takes genuine thought, action, and empathy. Here’s why I’m thinking about this at all:

Last month I wrote an article for Kveller.com wondering if I spend too much thinking about Judaism in general. It was also a discussion about how many Jews instantly feel a connection to other Jews. And THAT (in the comments on Facebook) morphed into an entirely different discussion about whether or not we, as a community, are too exclusive.

What came out of all that (not last month’s article, but the comments) were honest and strong feelings about the challenge of making new friends as an adult. One of my rabbis also challenged me to NOT only describe the issue, but to offer some solutions. How could I not rise to the challenge? I also couldn’t see all those strong—and some hurt—feelings in the comments without addressing that particular piece of the puzzle.

So, I present my follow up via Kveller.com: “There’s a Difference Between Saying You’re Welcoming & Being Welcoming.” 

Let me know what you think! And it’s not about Judaism at all by the way. Really, it’s about making room for new people in your life.


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Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

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Hi, I'm Nina

DEAR NINA: Conversations About Friendship is a podcast and newsletter about the ups and downs of adult friendship. I’m the host, Nina Badzin, a Minneapolis-based writer who accepted a position as a friendship advice columnist in 2014 and never stopped. DEAR NINA, the podcast, started in 2021, and has been referenced in The Wall Street JournalThe Washington PostTime Magazine, The GuardianThe Chicago TribuneThe Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere

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