Jewish people again please?!?

Question

What is the process a person has to go through if they're converting to Judaism? Just wanna know!

Answer 1

1. CONSIDERING JUDAISM

The conversion process begins when a person considers the possibility of becoming Jewish. The reasons why people become Jewish are varied. Many are involved in a romantic relationship with someone Jewish and wish to unite the family religiously. Others are on a spiritual search and learn about Judaism through such means as reading, hearing a lecture, attending a Jewish religious ceremony, and so on. Whatever the motivation, the first step in considering conversion is to explore Judaism. This early exploration might include discussing the subject with friends and family, taking out books and videos on Judaism, or just thinking about whether conversion is the right choice.

2. FINDING A RABBI

If, after the initial consideration, a person wishes to explore conversion more fully, the next step is to find a rabbi. This part of the process can be difficult for several reasons. Obviously, individual rabbis differ. Some devote more time than others to conversion candidates. Some adhere to an ancient tradition of turning away a candidate three times to test the candidate's sincerity. In general, though, rabbis are extremely dedicated people who are both intelligent and religiously sensitive. They are Judaism's gatekeepers. They decide who can enter into Judaism. Given their central importance to a potential convert, it makes sense to visit several rabbis and several synagogues to look for a compatible match.

If you are looking for a rabbi, check with friends and family for advice. Contact a local board of rabbis or other Jewish group, or check a local telephone directory. You can also contact the movements directly. See the section "Getting More Information About Conversion to Judaism."

A second problem is that rabbis belong to different groupings or movements. The four major movements are Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, and Reform Judaism. It is important for potential candidates to understand the differences among these movement and choose which movement is right for them.

When a person does see a rabbi, the rabbi can authoritatively answer questions about conversion. If the person has already decided to convert, the rabbi will probably ask a series of questions about that decision. Such questions might include some of these:

Why do you want to convert?
What is your religious background?
What do you know about Judaism?
Do you know the differences between Judaism and your birth religion?
Were you pressured to convert?
Are you willing to spend the necessary time studying to become Jewish?
Are you willing to raise any children you might have as Jewish?
Have you discussed this decision with your family?
Do you have any questions about Judaism or conversion?

3. LEARNING JUDAISM

A decision has been made to study Judaism, and a rabbi has agreed to oversee that studying. A person might not yet be fully sure that a conversion is right, but the initial steps of exploration will continue. Even those who don't ultimately convert generally find that studying Judaism is both interesting and helpful in their making a final decision about conversion.

Converts study Judaism in a variety of ways. Some work directly with a rabbi, meeting regularly and fulfilling specific study assignments. Others attend formal Introduction to Judaism or conversion classes, often with their Jewish romantic partner. A typical course of study will include basic Jewish beliefs and religious practices, such as prayer services, the history of the Jewish people, the Jewish home, the Jewish holidays and life cycle, the Holocaust, and Israel, as well as other topics. The study of Hebrew is also included.

The period of study varies greatly. In general, the range is from six months to a year, although there are variations. Many Gentiles preparing to marry someone Jewish go through this process early so as to get married in a Jewish ceremony. A marriage between someone born Jewish and someone who becomes Jewish is a Jewish marriage, not an intermarriage. If this is a crucial issue, plan to begin study well before a wedding.

Usually during this study period, a rabbi will ask that the person begin practicing Judaism according to the understanding of the movement. This can be a worthwhile time to explore Judaism. For example, even if a person does not ultimately plan to keep kosher (observe Jewish ritual rules about food), it is valuable to explore the rules for keeping kosher during this period of study.

4. THE RELIGIOUS COURT

The Religious Court, or Bet Din, most often consists of three people, at least one of whom must be a rabbi. Often it consists of three rabbis. The Bet Din officially oversees the formal conversion. Individual rabbis will provide guidance about how the Bet Din works. Because it takes place after learning, one part of the appearance will be to determine the Jewish knowledge of the conversion candidate. There might, for example be a question about the meaning of the Jewish Sabbath or about the Jewish belief in one God. These questions are not meant to trap candidates. Obviously, candidates are nervous during such questioning, but in almost all cases the questions are simply meant to assess the sincerity of the candidate and to make sure the conversion was entered into freely. Often an oath of allegiance to the Jewish people is made.

5. CIRCUMCISION

The specific requirements for conversion and their order need to be discussed with a rabbi. One requirement for males who wish to be converted by an Orthodox or Conservative rabbi is circumcision, or brit milah. If a circumcision has already been performed, the Orthodox and Conservative movements require that a drop of blood be drawn as a symbolic circumcision. This ceremony is called Hatafat Dam Brit. The Reform and Reconstructionist movements generally do not require a circumcision as part of the conversion process.

6. IMMERSION

Orthodox and Conservative rabbis require both male and female conversion candidates to immerse themselves in a ritual bath called a mikveh. This ceremony is called tevillah. Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis do not require the use of a mikveh, but some highly recommend it. The mikveh can be any body of natural water, though the term usually refers to a specific pool that is built for the purposes of ritual purification. The equipment used varies according to the mikveh. The immersion ceremony usually starts with cleaning the body as by a shower. The person is covered and the covering removed as the person enters the warm mikveh waters, which are usually about four feet deep. (When the ceremony is done in a public place such as a lake the candidate wears a loose-fitting garment). Blessings are recited and the person goes bends into the water. According to traditional Jewish law, three male witnesses must be present, although this rule has been reinterpreted so that, in some movements, Jewish females can be witnesses. When there are male witnesses and the candidate is female, the witnesses wait outside the mikveh room and are told by a female attendant that the immersion has been completed and the blessings recited.

7. THE OFFERING

In ancient times, conversion candidates brought sacrifices or offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Temple was destroyed, this ceremony disappeared. Jewish law therefore does not require such an offering. However, some rabbis, especially among the Orthodox, mention it as an opportunity to engage in an act of donating money to the poor or another act of charity to make a symbolic offering. This step can voluntarily be added to the conversion process.

8. CHOOSING A NAME

Again, particular conversion processes will vary. Frequently, after a Bet Din and the signing of an oath, a Hebrew name is chosen. This is then followed by a visit to a mikveh. At any rate, at some point, you will be asked to pick a Hebrew name. Some male converts choose the Hebrew name Avraham as their new Hebrew first name and some female candidates choose Sarah or Ruth. Since the use of Hebrew names includes mention of the parents' Hebrew names, and the convert has no Jewish parents, it is common to add "ben Avraham Avinu," or son of Abraham, our Father. Therefore if a male chooses the Hebrew name Avraham, that male's full Hebrew name would be Avraham ben Avraham Avinu. For women, the addition is "bat Sarah Imenu," daughter of Sarah, our Mother. The naming ceremony includes a blessing.

9. THE PUBLIC CEREMONY

A public ceremony announcing the conversion is becoming more popular, especially among Reform Jews. This ceremony usually involves the convert standing in front of the congregation and giving a speech, most typically about the reasons for converting or the lessons learned through the conversion experience.

10. A SPECIAL CASE: THE CONVERSION OF MINORS

Minors can be converted. In families with a non-Jewish mother and a Jewish father, the child is considered Jewish by the Reform movement if the child is brought up engaging in public acts of identification with Judaism. Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, however, do not regard such a child as legally Jewish. Parents of such children can if they wish have their children converted in infancy because the process is quite simple. While some would consider this a surrender to pressure especially from the Orthodox and refuse to do it, others see it as a way to get recognition of the child's Jewishness by additional segments of the Jewish people. Reform rabbis often simply have a naming ceremony. Orthodox and Conservative rabbis require the mikveh for a female minor and a circumcision and mikveh for a male minor.

Answer 2

Dear Ye Who is Interested in Conversion,

Here is some information I learned throughout my life as my father is Jewish and my mother is Christian. I traveled to Israel and also ha many Jewish friends. The things I am telling you are some personal experiences I had but did some research for you and am sending you more details form Internet sites.

Regards,

Ouros "The Mountain King"
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Here is informationf from an Orthodox Rabbi, these are the "RULES": www.aish.com

According to the Code of Jewish Law (the "Shulchan Aruch"), there are three
requirements for a valid conversion:

1) Mikveh - All converts must immerse in the Mikveh - a ritual bath linked to a reservoir
of rain water.

2) Milah - Male converts must undergo circumcision by a qualified "Mohel." If he was
previously circumcised by a doctor, he then undergoes a ritual called "hatafas dam."

3) Mitzvot - This is the clincher. The convert must believe in God and the divinity of the
Torah, as well as accept upon himself to observe all 613 mitzvot (commandments) of the
Torah. This includes observance of Shabbat, Kashrut, etc. -- as detailed in the Code of
Jewish Law, the authoritative source for Jewish observance. This means that a motor
vehicle is not used on Shabbat, that cheese is eaten only with kosher supervision, that a
woman uses the mikveh every month, that hands are ritually washed before every bread
meal, that the status of a Kohen is preserved, and much much more.

All of the above must be done before a court of three Jewish men who themselves
believe in God, accept the divinity of the Torah, and observe the mitzvot. In the case of
someone who denies fundamental principles of Jewish belief (such as, the word for word
divinity of the Torah), or offers to perform the conversion without requiring full mitzvah
observance, the conversion would be invalid according to the Code of Jewish Law.

There are two excellent books which are helpful for conversion:
- "To Be A Jew" by Chaim Halevi Donin
- "Becoming a Jew" by Maurice Lamm

Also recommended are two real-life accounts of non-Jews who converted to Judaism:
- "Migrant Soul" by Avi Shafran
- "The Bamboo Cradle" by Avraham Schwartzbaum

With blessings from Jerusalem,

Rabbi Shraga Simmons

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Here are things I experienced:

You are not allowed to become Jewish according to Orthodox and Conservatives because you must be bor Jewish and have a mother who is Jewish. Conversion here can only happen if you study at synangogue and then stand before a board but even then they can refuse.

Other less conservative denominations may let you convert but you will not be Jewish in the eyes of all Jews. It is mostly buy blood and birth.

There are Messianic Jews who are Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah and they live Jewish lives but are not considered Jews by all.

____________________________________________________
Conversion to Judaism from:

http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/Guidelines-and-Expectations.htm

Guidelines and Expectations For
The Online Introduction to Judaism Course

This course is intended for people who are distant from a Jewish community or from access to a rabbi who may work towards conversion.

Teaching will take place through online correspondence. Afterwards questions will be posed by the rabbi and answered by the student in the format of an exam.

This course is intended as a self study focused on each individual student’s interests and abilities. The course has no set time frame, since it depends on each student's dedication and time available for study.

A personal interview is required for those studying Judaism with the intent of conversion. In this interview, Rabbi Cukierkorn will evaluate the candidate's motivations and expectations.

The course is available at a nominal cost which should be discussed with Rabbi Cukierkorn. The student will also be responsible for the books he or she may choose to purchase.

Donations are also welcome as a way of showing your appreciation for Rabbi Cukierkorn's work.

Since community is so important for Jewish life, students are expected to make an effort to visit synagogues when possible.

Students are expected to have a commitment to continue the study of Judaism and Jewish Texts and traditions for the rest of their lives.

Students have to commit to raise their children as Jews

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Answer 3

Hi! just lucky your a woman .. it would be a wee bit sore if you were a guy ! snip ! .. Well you would have to have loads of money - Gold teeth, have a relative that was in Germany during WW2 who now lives in New York, and your surname would have to end in Stein or Gold. ( as in Gold teeth thats how they hid their gold from the Germans ) You would have to shave a bald patch on your head, have a white piano in your living room. Heh! why not be a Christian (protestant) You dont need anything..

Answer 4

I see you have got great answers to your question.. I am just curious why you ask ? It is not just a 'religion' it is a race to be jewish.
In order to parctice you dont have to convert in my liberal opinion.

Answer 5

i find judaism and christianity to be almost the same. dont forget that jesus was a jew, and like we christians jews too are expecting the messiah and thats jesus

Answer 6

it requires a lot of time spent with a rabbi. learning customs... saying prayers...

there's no customary branding ... or water dunking or anything like this.

i've heard of men getting circumsized, but i believe it's VERY rare these days.

Answer 7

If it were easy, Mohammed would have converted.

Try this website:

Answer 8

Sorry don know!!!

Answer 9

go to http://judaism.about.com/od/conversiontojudaism/
There should be info there