How do I convert to Judaism when the Judaism I am surrounded by seems secular?

Question

As of yet, I am not materially wealthy and not able to live close to the synagogues in my city. I live about 45 minutes from the Jewish community. In addition to that, the Jewish community in my city seems very secular to me from what I know of Judiasm. In other words, I don't go to shul, but I believe the Torah. I have been thinking about converting for about 3 years, but don't know what to do or who to talk to especially since the local synagogues seem very liberal. Any advice from Jews, ger tzaddikim, Noahides, or Jewish friendly people, etc will be very much appreciated...........people filled with hated and other ignoramuses please post else where.

sorry....typo in question.
it should read
people filled with hatred and other ignoramuses should post else where.

I didn't ask for links to Christian websites.

Aunt -Mab....
I am well aware of the different movements within Judaism and don't think reconstructionist,reform and conservative Judaism are faithful to the Torah tradition. I don't think that it is a superiority complex and much as a decision that an orthodox Judaism is much closer to how I feel G-d wants to be served by the Jewish people than reform or reconstructionist. If someone was going to go to a institution of higher learning, some type a criteria needs to be applied in the decision making process for which college or university would best suit the individual. Why should the decision about where to be spiritual instructed be different?

Petina......
Did you read my question? Do you think I am not familiar with the "prophecies" you have shown? The reason I am talking about converting to Judaism isn't because I am not familiar with Christianity, but just the opposite. Most of your so called prophecies are completely out of context, distorted, twisted, changed, added to, taken away from, or even completely made up. If I would have asked about why Christians believe in Jesus, your answer would have been what I was looking for, but that isn't what I asked, is it? Shame on you.

Answer 1

1) The level of your wealth is immaterial. What is problematic is your location- if you want to be able to convert and live an observant life, you need to be in a neighborhood which has a synogogue within walking distance (if ou are talking about converting to Orthodox Judasim- which seems likely given your rejection of the more liberal denominations in your city).
2) I don't now where you are- but many cities have a Chabah organisation in them- even when there is only a very small observant orgaisation. Try and find a local Chabad organisation- or contact Chabad via their website and ask them www.chabad.org
3) Getting into a conversion programme in a city without a Beis Din is going to be a big issue- if the Orthodox community is non-existent- then obviously their is not going to be anyone to convert you. Conversion to Orthodox Judaism is a major undertaking that takes well over a year (and in some cases takes as long as 5 years). As such- there are no correspondence or online conversions to Orthodox Judaism.

Feel free to email me.

Answer 2

I'm Jewish, so let me add just a bit to the answers from the other obviously Jewish respondants. From your question it's clear that you're planning on an Orthodox conversion, so let me take it from there. First, my guess is that you can find a modern Orthodox shul in your area that can help you with the distance problem. It's obviously too far for an eruv, but my guess is that you're not the only one locally in this situation, and certainly not the only one that has voiced this concern before.

As an alternate, you might contact the OU (Orthodox Union) for some advice, or call an LOR in another community for advice. Feel free to e-mail me if I can be of more help!

Answer 3

Continue your studies... Observe the mitzvot.. In the future move closer to a jewish community that you feel a "kinship" to.. To get a "legitimate" conversion, you must convert to Orthodox Judaism.. This will make you eligible for "Aliyah"..

It would be important for you to find an Orthodox shul that you like and go to a Chabad in your area.. Chabad will accept you as a visitor but not as a real member until you convert..

Answer 4

You should go to the local synagouge and talk to the Rabbi for starters I would guess.

There are othordox Jewish communities. You can probably find out about any in your area just by asking around...or even going to say a Kosher grocery store or the like and asking those that are obviously orthodox for some information and direction.

Answer 5

Well it seems you have a problem my friend.

Its very hard to maintain a Jewish lifestyle. Particularly an Orthodox one with out a community.

Additionally are you sure that there are no Orthodox Synagogues near by you?

Chabad has a large synagogue network.
http://www.chabad.org/centers/default.asp?AID=6268
you might want to start their. If you can develop a relationship with the rabbi their that would be my best advice.

If even a Chabad Synagogue is too far away then please email me and I will try to think of something to help you.

Answer 6

If you wish to become Jewish, then the liberal temples are the last place that you should go to.

True Judaism is referred to today as Orthodoxy.

It does strike me as odd that you wish to become Jewish without knowing anything about Judaism. You ought to check out the various Noahide websites for more information. And they will be able to guide to and help you determine if you really do want to convert.

BTW, the plural of ger tzedek is gerei tzedek.


.

Answer 7

By 'secular' & 'liberal' what do you mean? There is Orthodox, Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative & Humanistic sects right? So, 'secular' & 'liberal' seem to be in the eyes of the beholder & based on pretty relativistic (a.k.a. liberal & secular) views in the first place.

I'm equally confused about your term "Jewish friendly people". I'm not sure I qualify as a Christian. I naturally care for you as a fellow human creation of God, but the religion you profess is contrary to mine in so many ways. However, there are many parts of it that are in common (God's creation & the Law He wrote with His own finger on Mt. Sinai) & it is through your ancestors that the God-man, the second Adam, the Savior of the world was born, so I long to see people like you know that Messiah, that Jesus Christ. Does that make me "filled with hate"? An ignoramus?

Nevertheless, have you tried Googling these different sects to see if there are any closer to you:
Orthodox Directory Online: http://www.oucentral.org/network/synagogues/synagogues.cfm
Conservative Directory Online: http://www.uscj.org/Find_a_Synagogue_Sea5425.html
Reconstructionist Directory Online: http://www4.jrf.org/cong
Reform Directory Online: http://data.urj.org/conglist/
Humanistic Directory Online: http://www.shj.org/CongList.htm

I listed them from most conservative to least as far as I could tell. I got this general information from https://www.lcms.org/graphics/assets/media/CTCR/Judaism%20Evaluation%200306.pdf.

I have to admit that I hope you explore that website & that God would bring you to true repentance which is only through Jesus Christ.

Do you know the story of Saul (a.k.a. Paul)? A Pharisee that lived about 2000 years ago? Maybe he has some insight for you about your situation. Read about him in the Christian Bible, in the book of Acts. He wrote the next book, Romans too.

Answer 8

Talk to your local rabbis; perhaps there are others locally who would enjoy a study group, or who practice with the for which thoroughness you have a preference. I would be very surprised if your "liberal" rabbi was not sympathetic to your needs; be honest, listen respectfully.

You have not yet converted - yet you want vigorous requirements; do you think you are superior to those you wish to join? I mean that respectfully; you need to search what your motives really are, what makes you hesitate and judge and stand apart, yet want to join.

Answer 9

Secularism, Atheism has penetrated our world and looks at people who love and believe in GOD as whackos and
loony..Check with some well respected Rabis seek the religious community you won't find the love of GOD in many people today
very sad...

Answer 10

Look for Chabad Labuvitchers. I cannot say enough positive about them. They are friendly; gracious; warm; awesome teachers.
Good luck.