Anonymous wrote:There are Introduction to Judaism classes at the DCJCC and several congregations, or online through https://reformjudaism.org/learning/judaism-classes/introduction-to-judaism

I think that's a good way to start. If you decide you want to convert, visit some temples and see what denomination seems like a good fit, then once you have been going for a while talk to the rabbis. You'll want to do conversion through the denomination you plan to stay in, since they don't always recognize each other's conversions.

I hope you find what you're seeking, OP!

OP, I'm a recent convert to Judaism and I started with this class. I'm in Northern Virginia and affliated with Temple Rodef Shalom. I had a great relationship with the rabbi and she guided me through the process. I wound up converting and then was part of the adult B'nai Mitzvah class a few years ago.

Good luck in your search!

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Anonymous wrote:Many Jews will not accept you as a Jew if you're a convert. That's just the way it is.

Well, 99% will. not sure what you're trying to say

It’s funny, even though converts are much more observant than I, I never truly accept them as Jewish. Culturally, they’re just not the same. I feel slightly bad about feeling this way, but I still feel it.

Judaism is an ethno-religion. That’s why you feel that way. One can be ethnically Jewish—through having Jewish bloodlines—and have no knowledge of Judaism as a religion.

Roughly 10-11 million of the approximately 16 million Jews in the world are Ashkenazi, which is an ethnicity. If you’re Ashkenazi, you’re Jewish. Doesn’t matter if you’re even aware of your Ashkenazi identity; you’re still an Ashkenazi Jew.

Same thing, I believe, for Sephardim and Mizrahim, which comprise essentially all of the remaining Jews in the world.

Of course, converts are just as Jewish as anyone else is, from a religious standpoint, and they should be accepted in synagogues. But they are not part of the Jewish people, from an ethnic standpoint, and never can be. That’s quite significant, given how much of the Jewish year is taken up with holidays and observances that celebrate or commemorate events in the history of the Jewish people. I’ve often wondered whether a convert would feel as though they can connect with those traditions, when it isn’t their history.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many Jews will not accept you as a Jew if you're a convert. That's just the way it is.

Well, 99% will. not sure what you're trying to say

It’s funny, even though converts are much more observant than I, I never truly accept them as Jewish. Culturally, they’re just not the same. I feel slightly bad about feeling this way, but I still feel it.

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Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

Well, the Five Books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. So if you’ve read Torah—which I’m sure you have—you’ve probably read at least some Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Okay. I read from the Torah exactly once, and have no idea what I was reciting.

You went to a poorly run shul then.

No, I just stopped going after I graduated from Hebrew school and got bat mitzvah’d. My dad has been invited up to read from the Torah over a dozen times.

If you went through bat mitzvah and don’t know the Five Books of Moses or what you were reciting, then yes — your shul was poorly run. I’m sorry about that.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

Well, the Five Books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. So if you’ve read Torah—which I’m sure you have—you’ve probably read at least some Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Okay. I read from the Torah exactly once, and have no idea what I was reciting.

You went to a poorly run shul then.

No, I just stopped going after I graduated from Hebrew school and got bat mitzvah’d. My dad has been invited up to read from the Torah over a dozen times.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

Well, the Five Books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. So if you’ve read Torah—which I’m sure you have—you’ve probably read at least some Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Okay. I read from the Torah exactly once, and have no idea what I was reciting.

You went to a poorly run shul then.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

Well, the Five Books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. So if you’ve read Torah—which I’m sure you have—you’ve probably read at least some Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Okay. I read from the Torah exactly once, and have no idea what I was reciting.

Anonymous wrote:There are congregations of Jewish Christians. I think they’re called Messianic Jews, but I’m not sure. I really don’t know much about their churches, but it might be an option for you.

Ugh, no. Messianic Jews are predatory. Please don’t promote them here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

Well, the Five Books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. So if you’ve read Torah—which I’m sure you have—you’ve probably read at least some Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

Anonymous wrote:Read Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Chronicles and Kings and see if you’re comfortable.

I’m Jewish and have never read any of that. They did not assign those readings in Hebrew school.

There are congregations of Jewish Christians. I think they’re called Messianic Jews, but I’m not sure. I really don’t know much about their churches, but it might be an option for you.

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Anonymous wrote:You know, growing up in a Jewish area doesn’t make you familiar with Judaism. That’s really naive.

Yes, it does - but thank you for telling me what I am familiar with and what I’m not.

Please, please do not announce this when you meet with rabbis, regardless of what you may believe you are familiar with. Judaism is a religion. It's not shabbat dinners, Yom Kippur, and Hannukah gelt.

Judaism is not Yom Kippur? I can’t think of a *more* religious day for Jews.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know, growing up in a Jewish area doesn’t make you familiar with Judaism. That’s really naive.

Yes, it does - but thank you for telling me what I am familiar with and what I’m not.

Please, please do not announce this when you meet with rabbis, regardless of what you may believe you are familiar with. Judaism is a religion. It's not shabbat dinners, Yom Kippur, and Hannukah gelt.

Tell that to the 53% of Jewish Americans who say religion is not important to them, and the 22% of Jewish Americans who do not believe in God.

https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/05/11/jewish-americans-in-2020/

Anonymous wrote:Many Jews will not accept you as a Jew if you're a convert. That's just the way it is.

Well, 99% will. not sure what you're trying to say

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You know, growing up in a Jewish area doesn’t make you familiar with Judaism. That’s really naive.

Yes, it does - but thank you for telling me what I am familiar with and what I’m not.

Please, please do not announce this when you meet with rabbis, regardless of what you may believe you are familiar with. Judaism is a religion. It's not shabbat dinners, Yom Kippur, and Hannukah gelt.