Converting to Judaism

[Anonymous]

Im not married to a Jew but have always felt that Judaism is most in synch with my beliefs. I have many close friends who are Jews and am comfortable with the culture. I am looking for a spiritual home and believe it may be a good fit dor me. Anyone with experience able to provide recs for where to start? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Go to synagogues until you find one you like best. Keep attending and talk to the rabbi and other congregants.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend that you begin by doing basic research about the various main branches of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist. If one (or more) of those branches stands out as speaking to you on a spiritual and cultural level, that is where you should start. Look for area synagogues of that branch and attend one or two services. If you're still interested after that, contact the Rabbi. Also, the DCJCC (Jewish community center) offers nice Intro to Judaism classes. Consider taking one of those so you can get a good grounding in the history, the culture, the holidays, the beliefs, etc. If you're not in DC, I'm sure that the NoVA JCC and the ones in Maryland offer similar classes.

I'm Jewish (by birth, not conversion) and I have always found that Reform Judaism offers a modern, progressive and socially engaged way to practice my religion.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the helpful advice.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you haven't already done so I would talk about your thoughts on conversion with DH or DW. Conversion is a big step and although your spouse doesn't necessarily need to convert with you, it would help to have their support.

[Anonymous]

You have to be born jewish to be considered a jew
You cannot just convert. That is frowned upon. Unless you are married to someone jewish, the religion is off limits for you.
Look somewhere else

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have to be born jewish to be considered a jew
You cannot just convert. That is frowned upon. Unless you are married to someone jewish, the religion is off limits for you.
Look somewhere else

Who are you? That is completely untrue. Judaism traditionally does not proselytize (seek out conversions) but it definitely welcomes converts. In fact, even to gossip that someone is a convert (vs. born Jewish), much less treat them differently, would be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be born jewish to be considered a jew
You cannot just convert. That is frowned upon. Unless you are married to someone jewish, the religion is off limits for you.
Look somewhere else

Who are you? That is completely untrue. Judaism traditionally does not proselytize (seek out conversions) but it definitely welcomes converts. In fact, even to gossip that someone is a convert (vs. born Jewish), much less treat them differently, would be wrong.

That must depend on the branch of judaism
If you convert into orthodoxy then visitors will want to see what you have in your fridge when they visit
Rabbis refuse 3 times before accepting.
If you are not raised in it you are an outsider.

[Anonymous]

PP, go back to Mea She'arim and leave the OP alone.

OP, are you willing to give up Christmas? Because that is very difficult for many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be born jewish to be considered a jew
You cannot just convert. That is frowned upon. Unless you are married to someone jewish, the religion is off limits for you.
Look somewhere else

Who are you? That is completely untrue. Judaism traditionally does not proselytize (seek out conversions) but it definitely welcomes converts. In fact, even to gossip that someone is a convert (vs. born Jewish), much less treat them differently, would be wrong.

That must depend on the branch of judaism
If you convert into orthodoxy then visitors will want to see what you have in your fridge when they visit
Rabbis refuse 3 times before accepting.
If you are not raised in it you are an outsider.

Please. I know two Hasidic Jew converts, one a man and one a woman, both unmarried. Of course the woman ended up marrying another Hasidic by birth. You don't get more orthodox/conservative than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have to be born jewish to be considered a jew
You cannot just convert. That is frowned upon. Unless you are married to someone jewish, the religion is off limits for you.
Look somewhere else

Who are you? That is completely untrue. Judaism traditionally does not proselytize (seek out conversions) but it definitely welcomes converts. In fact, even to gossip that someone is a convert (vs. born Jewish), much less treat them differently, would be wrong.

That must depend on the branch of judaism
If you convert into orthodoxy then visitors will want to see what you have in your fridge when they visit
Rabbis refuse 3 times before accepting.
If you are not raised in it you are an outsider.

I'm an Orthodox convert to Judaism and what you're saying is completely untrue. No one checks my fridge or questions my observance. I was not refused 3x but I did study for over a year with a Rabbi. Happily married to another Orthodox Jew and am very happy with my community

[Anonymous]

Daughter of a Jewish convert - and no one ever questioned her belief system. Typical DCUM talking about what they don't know.

Good luck OP!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Fortunately, I know enough about Judaism to understand that converts are completely accepted and welcomed into the community, so not worried about that. Giving up Christmas and spousal agreement are definite issues to think about. I don't accept Jesus as the messiah ( I guess if I did, I wouldn't consider converting), but do enjoy the festivities associated with Christmas. However, I do believe that should I convert, the Jewish holidays could be just as festive and supplant my need for a Christmas tree. Anyway I appreciate the input from you all.

[Anonymous]

Good luck op! I hope u find what ur looking for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Fortunately, I know enough about Judaism to understand that converts are completely accepted and welcomed into the community, so not worried about that. Giving up Christmas and spousal agreement are definite issues to think about. I don't accept Jesus as the messiah ( I guess if I did, I wouldn't consider converting), but do enjoy the festivities associated with Christmas. However, I do believe that should I convert, the Jewish holidays could be just as festive and supplant my need for a Christmas tree. Anyway I appreciate the input from you all.

You're absolutely right about converts being accepted and welcomed. Please ignore the previous poster who suggested otherwise.

My advice is to follow your interest, and just take it one step at a time. Why not find a Reform or Reconstructionist synagogue that's local to you, and try Friday night services a few times if they have them. Friday is usually more relaxed and accessible than Saturday, and if you go a few times you may get a sense of whether it feels like a comfortable place, whatever that may mean to you. If not, try another synagogue or maybe just talk with the Rabbi to see if there's more of a connection than you felt initially at services.

My sense is once you find a synagogue that feels comfortable, you can figure out from there how much engagement you want -- spiritually and/or in terms of community and identity. There are so many different ways to practice religion, Judaism included. I would treat it lightly and with curiosity ("Hmmm . . . I wonder how it will feel to try this?" And more broadly, "I wonder where will this journey take me?"). Just go step-by-step and don't worry yet about the end result. If your process leads you to formal conversion, great. If not, that's fine, too. There are many different ways to participate and find spiritual inspiration, a sense of community, and many other things that add deeper meaning to life.

By the way, there is no formal moment where you would be asked to renounce your Christmas tree. No doubt some other Jews would disagree with me, but I truly believe there a way for you to find a home in Judaism AND retain your cultural/seasonal/secular enjoyment of Christmas. (Though you're right, of course, that Jewish holidays can be very festive and meaningful, too!)

Finally, going back to step one, you might want to start a new thread asking people to recommend synagogues that are especially friendly to mixed marriage couples. My guess is that's an indicator of a congregation that will be open and accessible to you. Best to start with your particular area/town, and if there's not a good fit, branch out geographically from there.

Good luck!