Can you really convert to Judaism?

Question

My boyfriend is an Israeli. We're both 27 and thinking about staying together. Well, in that case, we'll probably move to and reproduce in Israel.
I think that you need to be born a Jew, I consider it a heritage not an opinion or something you can accept or gain. It's about the roots. The problem is if a mother is not Jewish, then the children are not Jewish either. Might be weird for our kids to be growing up in Israel not being Jews..
What do you think?

Some kind of psychological disorder, hm.. thanks, forgot to consider that might be the case.
Anyway, I know it's technically possible, I'm more interested in the emotional and principle part of it.
Thanks Nesheekah, the last bit is very helpful. Does your name mean "a kiss", btw? (Just started learning Hebrew..)

Answer 1

Yes, you can "really" convert to Judaism, but not just for the sake of marriage -- no rabbi will convert you simply so you can get married. It might be good for you to take an Intro to Judaism class to learn more about the religion -- there might be something more pulling you in that direction.

Reform and Reconstructionist Jews accept patrilineal descent, which means that if a child's father is Jewish they consider the child to be Jewish too -- but there are not many of these liberal Jews in Israel. In the United States many liberal synagogues are very welcoming to interfaith families, so you would not need to convert to bring up your children as Jews.

In Israel all Jewish weddings are Jewish Orthodox and Orthodox rabbis will not perform interfaith marriages, so you may want to consider getting married elsewhere if you decide not to convert. Israel will recognize marriages performed outside of the country.

There is a midrash (legend) that all Jews that have ever or will ever be born were somehow "present" when the Hebrews recieved the Torah on Mt. Sinai, including those people who are not born as Jews but eventually convert. The idea is that these people are born with a Jewish soul, but it takes them a while to find out where they fit.

Good luck!

Answer 2

you can convert, its a really difficult process, lots of lessons, getting into the community and stuff like that. you have a point about it being a heritage but the real question is do you feel spiritually connected to Judaism? or do you have strong faith in your own religion?
about your other question, i live in Israel and when i first moved here it was weird there were no Christians, Muslims (barely) , Hindus, not the religious diversity there was in the U.S but now its weird for me when a friend doesn't celebrate the same holidays, didn't get circumcised, didn't have a bar-mitzvah and stuff like that, your kids may feel different then the others, but keep in mind that if they'll feel Jewish like there dad, they might convert on their own.

Answer 3

I think anyone who would willingly relocate to Israel is suffering from some sort of psychological disorder.

Judaism is a religion, it is not a race. No one is born a Jew, that is just another one of those lies that get handed down based on those bible myths.

Anyone can become a "Jew" by conversion to Judaism. Elizabeth Taylor is a Jew and she was not born a Jew.

Answer 4

Yes, but it's a very difficult process you need to be 100% commited to.

Conversion to Judaism needs to be something you do for yourself, and not just for your partner. In these cases, where one partner agrees to covert for the other partner, it can be a big strain on the relationship.

Answer 5

I'll go to Israel with your boyfriend anyday. Don't be scared...go with him. I'd give up anything to go to Israel, but that's me. One day I'll be there. It's an honor to be part of that.... Go!

Answer 6

Israel is not about jews only...

Answer 7

nobody can trace their lineage back to Abraham so whatever, orthodox jews say no you cant. sorry pal.

Answer 8

u can convert, they just dont advise it. u have toi be really really really serious. a rabbi taught me that :)