Converting to Judaism in NoVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would seek out Chabad, they are very welcoming. I married into a conservative jewish family and Chabad events are the only place I feel welcome as a non-jewish spouse.
http://m.chabadalexandria.org

Chabad is welcoming of non-Jewish spouses because they want to bring the Jewish spouse closer to observance and they know they will not get anywhere with that by treating the non-Jewish spouse badly. It's part of their belief system that every mitzvah brings Moshiach a little closer, so they don't want to drive any Jews away, even if that Jew is attached to a non-Jewish spouse (heck, maybe the non-Jewish spouse might eventually convert). But OP wants a Conservative conversion, which I am 100% sure Chabad does not recognize, and her DH is not Jewish and has no interest, so really, in Chabad's eyes, neither one of them is Jewish, nor are the children. Unless OP plans to lie about her situation, it might set up some eventual awkwardness.

Chabad does recognize conversions and she may be able to find assistance in her conversion process, since they don't technically do conversions. http://www.chabadoftampabay.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/66014/jewish/Myths-Facts.htm

I didn't say they don't recognize conversions. I said they don't recognize Conservative conversions, and I stand by that. No Orthodox group recognizes non-Orthodox conversions, and Chabad is not going to assist in one.

[Anonymous]

Re: Conservative J converting a gentile with an unconverted gentile spouse

My understanding is that the last time the CJLS (Committee on Jewish Law and Standards) ruled on this, was twenty years ago, and they split. Some ruled it acceptable, some did not. Ergo, it would be up to an individual C rabbi to decide what to do. I would suspect that provable Jewish ancestry might tip the balance for some rabbis, but I am not sure. I would suggest that you talk to some C rabbis if C Judaism is the form of Judaism that you believe would be meaningful for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even if you convert very few conservative or orthodox will take you very seriously. Good luck.

This is not true. Why would you say that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: Conservative J converting a gentile with an unconverted gentile spouse

My understanding is that the last time the CJLS (Committee on Jewish Law and Standards) ruled on this, was twenty years ago, and they split. Some ruled it acceptable, some did not. Ergo, it would be up to an individual C rabbi to decide what to do. I would suspect that provable Jewish ancestry might tip the balance for some rabbis, but I am not sure. I would suggest that you talk to some C rabbis if C Judaism is the form of Judaism that you believe would be meaningful for you.

But for now, she has to walk the walk, if she wants to be a Jew.

OP, find a nice rabbi who will help you. Take a conversion course. Learn something, and then if you want to be a Jew, you can convert according to the appropriate standard if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Chabad is really good place to start.
I am unorthodox Jew from Russia, where there are no Conservative or Reform, only Orthodox.
I feel completely out of place in Reform and Conservative places in USA. To me these places feel like social clubs...

Standard Orthodox is not for us, since we do not follow all rules.
All my family (including kids) feel very well at Chabad, which is technically orthodox.
I am so grateful to them. They educate, and not push or shame people for doing something different.