Anonymous wrote:Google Maps will show you synagogues.

But if you want to learn, read a book or watch a video.

Judaism isn't like Catholicism where there's official franchises everywhere all serving the same wafers.

I see there are a few Chabad synagogues in the general Northern VA area. Just didn't know if you were talking specifically about one in particular.

Yes, I have read that there seem to be quite a few different varieties, if you will - based on how strict different communities interpret the Torah.

Google Maps will show you synagogues.

But if you want to learn, read a book or watch a video.

Judaism isn't like Catholicism where there's official franchises everywhere all serving the same wafers.

Anonymous wrote:Chabad will be happy to support serious interest in conversion, though it would be a long process, and OP might want to speak to them to see if they "click".

There are other paths. OP, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the area you live in is not full of Jews. And the version of Judaism youre likely to find out there is minimally connected to traditional Judaism. You may not be interested in traditional Judaism, but then you shouldn't be surprised down the road that more invested Jewish communities will not accept the legitimacy of a nontraditional conversion. Welcome to our community, but know we are kind of engaged in a fight over its soul over here and are probably heading for a major schism ourselves.

Could you elaborate on some of the issues that you think might be causing a rift?

I hate to sound crass here, but beggars can't be choosers, and if there are people in this world who are interested in converting then I don't think it makes much sense to either turn them away or not accept people who have converted.

I thought I had read something that said cheese by birth or strictly forbidden from treating Jews by conversion any differently?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

Chabad is friendly if you were born a Jew and want to become more religious. Doubt they are what OP is looking for.

Not my experience at all. I’ve seen non-Jews treated very well there. In fact Chabad has a belief there are some non-Jews born with Jewish souls. Perhaps that is the pull OP is feeling?

Has this been your experience at a local synagogue? If so, would you mind sharing the name?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

Chabad is friendly if you were born a Jew and want to become more religious. Doubt they are what OP is looking for.

This is also what I was reading - I'm not sure they would be interested in a non-Jew.

Anonymous wrote:Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

I have read they are welcoming because they do a lot of outreach to Jews to get them to become more observant.

But would they be open to a non-Jew, is the question. Hmm..

Anonymous wrote:Chabad will be happy to support serious interest in conversion, though it would be a long process, and OP might want to speak to them to see if they "click".

There are other paths. OP, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the area you live in is not full of Jews. And the version of Judaism youre likely to find out there is minimally connected to traditional Judaism. You may not be interested in traditional Judaism, but then you shouldn't be surprised down the road that more invested Jewish communities will not accept the legitimacy of a nontraditional conversion. Welcome to our community, but know we are kind of engaged in a fight over its soul over here and are probably heading for a major schism ourselves.

What schism and why? Is it over politics? If so that’s symptomatic of this area in general for everyone, where personal politics unfortunately takes primacy of place over every other consideration.

Chabad will be happy to support serious interest in conversion, though it would be a long process, and OP might want to speak to them to see if they "click".

There are other paths. OP, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the area you live in is not full of Jews. And the version of Judaism youre likely to find out there is minimally connected to traditional Judaism. You may not be interested in traditional Judaism, but then you shouldn't be surprised down the road that more invested Jewish communities will not accept the legitimacy of a nontraditional conversion. Welcome to our community, but know we are kind of engaged in a fight over its soul over here and are probably heading for a major schism ourselves.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

Chabad is friendly if you were born a Jew and want to become more religious. Doubt they are what OP is looking for.

Not my experience at all. I’ve seen non-Jews treated very well there. In fact Chabad has a belief there are some non-Jews born with Jewish souls. Perhaps that is the pull OP is feeling?

Not a synagogue, but what about sixth & I? There is a class for people who want to learn about Judaism and/or interested in converting.

Anonymous wrote:Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

Chabad is friendly if you were born a Jew and want to become more religious. Doubt they are what OP is looking for.

Chabad has a wonderful website and a number of centers in the DMV. Amazing people!

Anonymous wrote:How does he feel about this?

If you're asking what my husband thinks, he's fine. He doesn't care if I'm religious or not, and if I am, what faith I decide to follow.

Don't know why you felt the need to ask?

How does he feel about this?

I was raised Roman Catholic but strayed away from the religion over a decade ago.

I started dating my Jewish boyfriend in college and met a lot of Jews through him. He's now my husband but he was not raised in the faith.

At that time (over a decade ago) I became interested in learning more about the faith.

I did for a little bit but nothing long term ever came from it.

Just in the last two weeks I've all of a sudden had a strong inkling to just study more about Christianity and Judaism as a whole.

I've really resonated with Judaism and what I've read these last few weeks and want to continue to explore it more.

Any suggestions or recommendations on friendly synagogues that I could reach out to to try and get more acquainted with the religion?

Or should I try and do online learning first?

Appreciate any insight!