Any other Jews-by-choice or converts to other religions? Share your conversion story.?

Answer 1

My conversion was a bit different than I would guess yours was. I am Jewish but over time and talking to different Christians and Ministers, I came to believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and eventually accepted Him as my Lord and savior. Since that day Ive never been happier.

Answer 2

Well--

I was born and raised in the Assembly of G-d Church. I was brought up by devout parents; I was the kid in Sunday School who knew all the answers & did the Sunday School paper. I went to Oral Roberts University (can't believe I'm admitting that!) before marrying a nice Christian man & settling down to raise babies.

Except that as I grew older, it all seemed a little weird to me. In particular I had problems with the idea of a man being G-d. It just didn't make sense (still doesn't), and I began to struggle with major doubt. I went to my pastor, and to my Bible study leader, and their answers all seemed worse than lame. I'm not THAT intelligent, but it was easy to poke holes in their arguments. They didn't know how to handle my doubts--and REALLY didn't know how to handle the fact that my doubts weren't easily resolved with a few platitudes.

I stopped being a Christian. In fact, I became very bitter against Christians and Christianity--and not without cause. I'd tried hard to bend myself in one way all my life because I wanted to be a good christian--I'd denied major parts of who I was--and when I finally expressed doubts, people deserted me. I ended up being an agnostic for years, and raised my older kids to be skeptics.

My husband died, and I had another child a few years later, as a single mom. The others were quite a bit older, so it was weird to be doing the mom thing all over again! When she was four, I just happened to join a local JCC because they had a great fitness facility. And since I'd joined, I decided I might as well put her in pre-school there, too, since it was a good program.

It was fall, and we all know what that means. She started coming home with pictures & info about the High Holy Days, and I was intrigued. It all seemed so....useful! A whole day in which to think back on the past year and 'repent'! I liked the idea of a time set apart to make amends. I liked the idea of Shabbos, too--one day, every week, to rest & recharge & think about the 'spiritual'.

The only problem was the pesky G-d business.

I started going to a Reform shul, and took their conversion course. I decided it wasn't for me, though, and had a Conservative Conversion. The more I learned, though, the more I wanted--and eventually what I really wanted was to be Torah-observant. The pesky G-d business was no longer a problem--I believed, and I wanted to HAVE to keep the law. So my daughter and I began to work towards an Orthodox conversion. We went to the mikveh when she was 12--just 3 years ago.

Sometimes I still can't believe how blessed I've been. I never even KNEW a Jew till I was well into adulthood--I would NEVER have considered Judaism as an option--yet Hashem brought me to the most wonderful religion. I really *love* being a Jew.

A relative once asked me why I would take up such a "legalistic" religion instead of having a "wonderful personal relationship with G-d". I didn't know how to tell her that I knew exactly what kind of relationship she was talking about, and that nothing compares to what I have now. It's hurtful to have something that is so precious be misunderstood--but I think, too, that my relatives are starting to see how deep this is.

Interesting side note: About a year after our Orthodox conversion, my uncle mentioned that his mother (my maternal grandmother) once commented that there had been rumors that her mom had been a Jew. If that's true--well, let's just say that explains a few things. I know I stood at Sinai; it could be, though, that I am Jewish by birth, a captive child brought back to G-d.

My youngest is almost 16, and attends a Bais Yaakov high school. My older kids were never interested in Judaism, or any other religion, but they have a pretty good understanding of Judaism and are tolerant of my beliefs. In fact, my oldest is a huge Mattisyahu fan....

I'm just very happy--and very thankful--to be where I am.

Answer 3

I was raised catholic,went to catholic school,was baptized,holy communion,confirmed.I did not want to be confirmed but my atheist dad said you will do this if i have to drag you up there.I loved the windows,the stations of the cross some of the nuns,all the priests that were not perverts.As i grew older i was very curious about other beliefs,I love the Jewish teachings,but i still believe in Jesus as savior.I am now in a Pentecostal church,I love the worship as i am a very expressive person and i could never do that in a catholic church or at least the one i was raised in.For me its a matter of what helps me in my life become more like Christ,so at this time i would have to say i am protestant.I joke that i am a recovering catholic,as the church i grew up in really heaped alot of guilt on us as children,then add some Italian,and Irish and geese your made to feel guilty for everything.I so do not want to hurt other catholics that read this,it is only my experience,i know of many wonderful catholic people that love the father son and holy spirit,and do amazing work.For me the catholic church never taught me to have a personal relationship with Jesus,it was always very religious activities that never made me feel close to God.I have learned so much of who the Father,Son and Holy Spirit is in the Protestant Church's.Not to say they are perfect either,the only perfect religion for me is one on one relationship with my maker.It will be interesting to read about others.Good question

Answer 4

Great question, have a star! I will await with interest the responses.