[1][2] The procedure and requirements for conversion depend on the sponsoring denomination. We focus on doing the best we can in this world instead of looking toward a reward after we die. Rabbinic tradition interpreted the word ger as referring to proselytes"[7]. My involvement with Judaism began with a Jewish boyfriend, but I ultimately converted for myself. A period of one year is common, although individual Rabbis' requirements vary. For seven days (though many people only observe it for three days), you stay home. Contact & Directions | Congregation Beth Elohim Every Jew, whether born Jewish or Jewish by conversion, brings more richness to our tradition. His asylum case is pending. The requirements for conversions vary somewhat within the different branches of Judaism, so whether or not a conversion is recognized by another denomination is often an issue fraught with religious politics. Furthermore, a conversion done in accordance with one Jewish denomination is not a guarantee of recognition by another denomination. [17][18], Reconstructionist Judaism values the symbolism of the conversion ritual, and encourages those who were not born of Jewish parents and who wish to convert to undergo this rite of passage. People often assume that most Jews by choice convert because they have a partner or spouse who is Jewish. 1. According to Orthodox Rabbi Louis Bernstein, the major reason for its failure was the Orthodox rabbis' insistence that the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly agree to expel Conservative rabbis for actions they took prior to the formation of the new beth din, and the RA refused to do so. Please note: in keeping with Reform Movement policy, the CBE clergy recognize a child as Jewish if either his or her father or mother is Jewish; however, we acknowledge that this belief is not shared across the whole Jewish world. So Izates decided against it. It thus resembles both conversion to other religions and naturalization. Babylonian Talmud, Yevamot 46a and Gerim 1:6, cited in The Way of the Boundary Crosser: An Introduction to Jewish Flexidoxy. Called a Beit Din (a rabbinical court), this conversation is less a test (we wont ask you what the fourth book of the Bible is) and more a way to know that you have engaged in this process in a serious and thoughtful way and are ready to become a Jew. In times of celebration and sorrow, CBE is here for you. Judaism welcomes those wishing to convert, and a great deal of information about Judaism is now available on the Internet, making it a wonderful way to begin learning. There is a difference between identity (the way you see yourself) and status (the way others see you). issue, 19781983: Denver program, patrilineal descent. Co nverting to Judaism Conversion Services. [19], Karaite Judaism does not accept Rabbinic Judaism and has different requirements for conversion. PunkTorah, an Atlanta-based non-profit organization and online community, is investigating the . In the Hebrew Bible ger is defined as a "foreigner", or "sojourner". 68, at 236237. ], The consensus of halakhic authorities also requires a convert to understand and accept the duties of the classical Jewish law. Some choose to convert shortly after their learning process begins, while others begin the process and take more time to make a final decision. Brooklyn: Introduction to Judaism, Bay Ridge Jewish Center, www.brjc.org, 718-836-3101, rabbi@brjc.org. We provide everything you need including bet din and mikvah. However, if you did not do this, there is a ritual a mohel can do, called Hatafat Dam Brit, where a single drop of blood is taken from the childs penis as a substitute if the baby was circumcised in the hospital. They should welcome the creation of Reform and Conservative day schools and not see them as a threat to their own, Lamm said. "[42] Britain's Assembly of Reform Rabbis stated that rabbis "would be able to take local decisions ratified by the Beit Din confirming Jewish status. It would create communal standards of marriage and divorce. Further, Haredi groups attempted to prevent non-Orthodox rabbis from following the traditional requirements of converts using a mikveh. The majority of rabbis reject potential converts three times, and if the potential convert remains adamant in their desire to convert, the rabbi will then allow them to begin the process. This departed from the traditional position requiring formal conversion to Judaism for children without a Jewish mother. Conversion to Judaism (Hebrew: , giyur) is the process by which non-Jews adopt the Jewish religion and become members of the Jewish ethnoreligious community. A male convert to Judaism is referred to by the Hebrew word ger (Hebrew: , plural Hebrew: gerim) and a female convert is a giyoret. This is unknown in rabbinic literature, where conversion is considered irreversible. Rabbah i). This includes the addition of a hebrew line to the ceremony and most mohelim can easily add this. (Cathryn J. someone who is younger and can retain information i can understand. Every Jew, whether born Jewish or Jewish by conversion, brings more richness to our tradition. [56] Much like in the other Abrahamic faiths, Jewish law requires the sincerity of a potential convert. And while its true that my involvement with Judaism began with a Jewish boyfriend now my husband of 28 years and the father of our two children as Reform Jews, I would not have had to convert to participate in Jewish life and raise Jewish children. [57], There is a tradition that a prospective convert should be turned away three times as a test of sincerity, though most rabbis no longer follow the tradition. This gut-wrenching tale, about a Jewish Italian boy kidnapped by the papal authorities in 1858, still touches raw nerves. [68][bettersourceneeded]. Annamie Paul, leader of the Green Party of Canada, converted to Conservative Judaism in 2000. COPYRIGHT 2022 CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 11-1672755, Rabbi Rachel Timoner Distinguished as 2023 Women of Distinction, Rabbi Rachel Timoner and CBE Featured on Israeli Television, Rabbi Rachel Timoner Appears in "Martini Judaism" Podcast, CBE Co-Establishes First Reform Chevra Kadisha in NYC. However, conversion to Judaism involves time and effort: study, worship and practice in the context of an active Jewish community. The Fiscus Judaicus, a tax imposed on Jews in 70 CE and relaxed to exclude Christians in 96 CE, also limited Judaism's appeal. The Conservative Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has issued a legal opinion stating that Reform conversions may be accepted as valid only when they include the minimal Conservative halachic requirements of milah and t'vilah, appearance before a Conservative Beth Din, and a course of Conservative study. Some seek religious meaning in their lives and simply find that Judaism offers a spiritual and religious place in which they are comfortable. In 2008 Israel's highest religious court invalidated the conversion of 40,000 Jews, mostly from Russian immigrant families, even though they had been approved by an Orthodox rabbi. [53] In recent years many Orthodox conversions have been overturned. Brooklyn, NY 11215, 24/7 Life Cycle Emergency: (718) 360-4732, What to expect on the day of your conversion. 169-213. Conservative Judaism takes a more lenient approach in application of the halakhic rules than Modern Orthodox Judaism. They are found throughout Iberia (Spain and Portugal) and Iberoamerica (the Hispanic countries of the Americas plus Brazil). [40] The 1983 resolution of the American Reform movement has had a mixed reception in Reform Jewish communities outside of the United States. Ruiten, Abraham, the Nations, and the Hagarites: Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Perspectives on Kinship with Abraham (Leiden: Brill, 2010), pp. [6] Rabbi Marc Angel writes: The Hebrew ger (in post-Biblical times translated as "proselyte") literally means "resident" and refers to a non-Israelite who lived among the Israelite community. Once this journey of Jewish exploration and learning has begun, each seeker makes the individual choices that best suit his or her life. Judaism Classes | Reform Judaism Lamm told his listeners that they should value and encourage the efforts of non-Orthodox leaders to more seriously integrate traditional Jewish practices into the lives of their followers. Modern-day Reform Jews wholeheartedly welcome those who have chosen to convert to Judaism, recognizing that our Jewish community is made stronger by those who actively seek to become Jews. Fleeing native Iran, a would-be convert to Judaism gets new start in Take Passover, for example. "Some people who convert are ambivalent about God or in a process of questioning about God, and this matches where many Jews are as well," said Timoner, of Brooklyn's Beth Elohim. For babies, one Jewish parent will enter into the water with them (the parent may wear a bathing suit) as the beit din looks on. Yet he says (Isurei Biah 13:15), that in the times of Jewish political power, such as the days of Kings David and Solomon, Batei Dinim (Jewish courts) did not accept converts who may have not had the right intention, and they had to wait and prove their intentions to be legally accepted.[11]. Though your status wont be Jewish until the day of your conversion, your identity should be fully Jewish before that day. Here on ReformJudaism.org, designed to help people explore Reform Judaism, you will find answers to questions, information about Shabbat and Jewish holidays, ways to celebrate at home with blessings and recipes, comments on the Torah portion of the week, and more. If so, you're part way there! For some converts to Judaism, it can take time to truly feel like a member of the tribe. i am 71 and at this age it is impossible to learn everything there is thats required. 773.322.3307. rabbi . The practice of conversion to Judaism is sometimes understood within Orthodox Judaism in terms of reincarnation. Candidates will enter into the water. ; Review the Reform movement's list of upcoming Introduction to Judaism courses here.The movement also offers an online version of this class. In earlier generations, rabbis would discourage potential Jews-by-choice, turning them away three times to test how serious they were. First, make an appointment with an ordained rabbi or cantor. If that relationship is primarily intellectual rather than emotional, thats fine. Judaism teaches that the righteous of all nations have a place in the afterlife. (Proceedings of Committee on Jewish Law and Standards: 19801985, pp. 15.) [20], Feldman's views on active Jewish missionizing have also changed. No Hebrew skills or synagogue membership required. Ruth 1:1617, In the 1950s Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and other members of the Rabbinical Council of America engaged in a series of private negotiations with the leaders of Conservative Judaism's Rabbinical Assembly, including Saul Lieberman; their goal was to create a joint Orthodox-Conservative national beth din for all Jews in the United States. There has been a continuous steady growth among them who are now prospective converts, actively seeking conversions back to Judaism. In recent years, Reform congregations - and the Reform Jewish community as a whole - have taken a more active approach to seeking out people who might choose to become Jews. B'ShERT is a 501 (c)3 non-profit and all contributions are fully tax-deductible. [54] Debate on what constitutes a valid Beth Din for conversion and for annulling conversions has caused divisions in the Orthodox world. American Jewish University: Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, Canadian Jewish News: Conversion Process an Emotional Journey For All Involved, Darshan Yeshiva: Jewish Learning for For Beginners and Conversion to Judaism, Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals: Conversion to Judaism, Nativ - The National Center for Jewish Studies, Identity, and Conversion, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Conversion_to_Judaism&oldid=1160457692, Conversions must be carried out according to halakha. Reform Jews in general, and CBE in particular, wholeheartedly welcome those who choose Judaism, recognizing that our Jewish community is made stronger by those who actively seek to become Jews. So you want to convert to Judaism - Jewish Telegraphic Agency Rabbi Barry Freundel was arrested on charges of installing hidden cameras in a mikveh to film women converts undressing, the Israeli Chief Rabbinate said it would review the validity of all past conversions performed by Freundel, then quickly reversed its decision, clarifying that it was joining the Orthodox Rabbinical Council of America in affirming the validity of the conversions. "I attended the Rabbi Gilboa's Intro to Judaism program to support my girlfriend's conversion to Judaism and found it very informative and well-structured. In fact, the Reform Jewish community, as a whole, is proud of its many congregational leaders, as well as a number of rabbis and cantors, who are Jews-by-choice. Join Rabbi Cantor Jacquie in a ten-month, self-paced program. [3], There are some groups that have adopted Jewish customs and practices. "What they are doing is something, and something is better than nothing," he said in his speech. You dont go out, you dont shower, you dont look in the mirror. Its approach to the validity of conversions is based on whether the conversion procedure followed rabbinic norms, rather than the reliability of those performing it or the nature of the obligations the convert undertook. Joshua ben Hananiah argued that besides accepting Jewish beliefs and laws, a prospective convert to Judaism must undergo immersion in a mikveh. How to Convert to Judaism - What to Expect at a Conversion For others it is because the childs mother is of another faith. Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 135a and Gerim 2:2, cited in The Way of the Boundary Crosser: An Introduction to Jewish Flexidoxy. Here are some typical steps to take in order to convert to Judaism: Find a rabbi. After the Beit Din, parents can help their child get ready for the mikveh. A quote from the Talmud labels the convert "hard on Israel as a scab". WHEN (Brooklyn) When (Manhattan) FAQs Contact Class Resources. Conversion to Judaism online and education. Another verse which has been interpreted as referring to non-Jews converting to Judaism is Esther 8:17, although no process is described. II, p.850-852. ", Although an infant conversion might be accepted in some circumstances (such as in the case of adopted children or children whose parents convert), children who convert would typically be asked if they want to remain Jewish after reaching religious adulthood which is 12 years of age for a girl and 13 for a boy. "[44], Rabbi Lamm wanted this to be only the beginning of a solution to Jewish disunity. We generally check our help desk at 10AM and 4PM during the work day. The Union for Reform Judaism's courses are open to anyone who wants to learn more about Judaism, including individuals considering conversion, interfaith couples, and those who were born Jewish and want to learn more about their own heritage. Rabbi Heidi Hoover is the spiritual leader of Beth Shalom v'Emeth Reform Temple in Brooklyn, New York. [55], Judaism is not an openly proselytizing religion. [22], According to The Jewish Encyclopedia article on circumcision of proselytes,[23] in the first century CE, before the Mishnah was edited, the requirement for circumcision of proselytes was an open issue between the Zealots and liberal parties in ancient Israel. Please contact clergy@cbebk.org. A crisis between American and Israeli rabbis was averted when the Chief Rabbinate agreed that all conversions completed by Freundel would be considered valid. Judaism is a religion of people and community. The experience of those who convert isn't better or worse: it's just different. We are the only online-based conversion to Judaism program in the world that provides conversion mentors from across the Jewish spectrum. Staff Directory [15] There is also a requirement to accept the commandments (although not necessarily a commitment to keep the mitzvot), although without this step there are many authorities who will accept the conversion as valid. Orthodox Conversion to Judaism Norman Lamm condemned this interference by Sherer, stating that this was "the most damaging thing that he [Sherer] ever did in his forty year career. If youd like to attend services or speak with a rabbi, locate a congregation or rabbi near you using this handy Find a Congregation tool. For example, in Russia the Subbotniks have adopted most aspects of Judaism without formal conversion to Judaism. For those who are uncircumcised, we can help you find a doctor who will perform the circumcision. At a ceremony in their Northern California synagogue, ten adults and four minors swore fealty to Judaism after completing a year of study. When someone very close to you dies, you sit shiva. Converting To Judaism well i guess its going to be impossible for me to convert then. Love the Convert: Conversion in Judaism. Thus, American Reform Judaism does not require ritual immersion in a mikveh, circumcision, or acceptance of mitzvot as normative. Find Introduction to Judaism classes in your area. Darshan Yeshiva. This decision to redefine Jewish identity, as well as the designation of Denver as a pilot community for a new Reform out reach effort to recruit converts, convinced the Traditional and Conservative rabbis that they could no longer participate in the joint boardthe national decision of the Reform rabbinate placed the Traditional and Conservative rabbis in an untenable position. "[the] children [of the] forced [converts]"). Join online learning when local classes are unavailable. And we recognize that we cannot understand God or know what God is like, so there is no dictated way to be in relationship with God. by. If you or someone you know is experiencing a happy or sad occasion, were here to offer our love and support. Both men and women need someone to make sure they fully immerse in the water. I've listened to a playlist of Esoterica's about kabbalah and it's so . "[46] The justification given for the change in approach is that the original conversion must never have been valid in the first place as it is clear from the convert's subsequent actions they were insincere at the time of conversion.