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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DC's JCC has "intro to judaism" classes that might be helpful.  I think you should start by signing up for those and going to services regularly--reading some books is also a good idea.

If after some time you still feel like conversion is right FOR YOU then you should convert, and your husband should similarly make his own choice.  My opinion on kids would depend how old they are. Note that if you have male children they would have to be circumcised and even if they already are, some denominations will require a drop of blood anyway.

Two other things to consider:
* If you have any desire to have your conversion recognized for immigration to Israel or so your child can marry an observant Jew, be converted by an Orthodox (non-Chabad) rabbi. You would likely have to go before a beit din and it's more difficult.

* It is tradition that rabbis try to discourage prospective converts at first. So if you are dissuaded from conversion, don't be surprised. Just go home, read and learn more, and try again in a month or two.[/quote]

Any beis din recognized by the Rabbanut in Israel will not allow you to convert Orthodox and then just drop everything so you can call yourself Jewish. They have really cracked down on this over the last 10 years and will invalidate conversions. If you want to BE Orthodox and live that way, then great, but they will not convert people who are not sincere about keeping mitzvos and living an observant life. Kosher, Shabbos, all of it.

PP who said the Orthodox process is "more relaxed" than Reform or Conservative, it is absolutely not. Orthodox shuls don't generally have a structured "course" for prospective converts to sit through, but there is an expectation of learning mountains of material either on your own or with the help of a community mentor or shul rabbi, putting it into practice, and then being tested by the beis din (essentially sitting there while a panel of 3-5 rabbis fire questions at you about minute details of halacha). If you aren't within walking distance to an Orthodox shul, you have to move. It can take anywhere from 1 to 5+ years and thousands of dollars when you have to replace all your treif kitchen implements, pay mikvah and beis din and tutoring fees, etc. Not for the faint of heart.

In answer to OP's question, I know a couple of families where the father was secular Jewish and the mother and kids weren't, the father became religious, and the mother and kids all converted Orthodox and are now happily living observant lives. I know other families where this has led to divorce. It's such a deeply personal thing and no two situations are alike. I would encourage you to check out some synagogue services in your area and speak to a rabbi. [/quote]

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