converting to judaism?

Question

iTHINK i have a bit of jewish in me, but i was raised catholic in a probably 99.9% catholic family. i even had a first communion when i was about 8 or 9, right now i am almost 15.
is it possible for me to convert into judaism after this?
i really want to be, but when's the best time? i don't think right now. i want to do it in a few years maybe, after learning about it fully. but when do you think is the best time for me to convert? what are the steps and how long/hard is the process?
this year im going to celebrate hanukkah, just to see what it's like.

Answer 1

It's absolutely possible to convert to Judaism no matter how you were raised. I think that it would be best to wait till you're an adult-and I'm sure a rabbi would agree.

Why? Because when you convert, you'll be obligated to observe ALL of Torah law. This will include keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath, and these are things that it's almost impossible to do while you're living with people who aren't Jewish. Rabbis don't want to convert people who will end up failing, so they want to make sure that you have every chance to live a successful Jewish life. This will include asking you to live within walking distance of your nearest synagogue.

Typically the process takes at least one year, and often it takes two or three. There's a lot to learn!-and again, your Rabbi will want to make sure you know everything you need to know to be happy in your new life.

Hanukkah isn't the most important of Jewish holidays--in fact, just the opposite. It IS one of the most well-known in American culture, and it's easy, fun....and coming up soon! It might be a good place to start. You might also explore a few websites like frumteens.com and aish.com. There are a lot more out there, and you can begin to get a sense of Judaism might be for you.

Answer 2

Well, there's no time like the present! Your parents would have to approve- otherwise, wait until you're 18. You will need to decide what "branch" of Judaism you want to convert to- Orthodox, Conservative or Reform. Orthodox is the most intense conversion process and also follow Jewish Law closely, Reform is the least intensive (although it still takes a year) conversion process and allows people to decide which Jewish laws and customs are right for them without judging them, and Conservatives are sort of in the middle, but leaning a little more toward the Orthodox side. You will need to go to the rabbi of the synagogue you want to attend to ask about converting- most rabbis will tell you no the first time to see if you are serious enough to come back and ask again- tradition says that you will be turned down 3 times before being accepted into the conversion process. Becoming a Jew by choice is not for the lighthearted or a folly- it's a serious, and very long and intense process. Once you are converted, you are a Jew for the rest of your life, as if you were born a Jew. Start reading about Judaism and its traditions and customs, laws, holidays and significances now. You may also want to start going to Shabbat services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. There is nothing that says you can't live as a Jew before conversion- if you are truly a Jew in your heart, this would be a natural thing to start doing. So, in closing... start reading about the religion, go to some services, learn, learn, learn- and be very, very sure that you want to embark on this road! I wouldn't trade being Jewish for anything- I would die first. I can't imagine being anything else- it is part of every aspect of my life, as it should be. It's a wonderful, fulfilling way of life. Good luck to you and Shalom!

Answer 3

First of all, Judaism is not a race. You don't "have a little Jewish in you." You're either Jewish or you're not. Since your family is Catholic, you're not. But that's okay. You can convert, but it's a long and hard process. You need to make sure you're absolutely positive you want to go through it. It's not just one of those things where you wake up and think, "I think I'll be Jewish today." It's a choice that you're making for the rest of your life.

The best time to convert is when you feel you are mature enough to make that decision for yourself.

Here are some good links:
http://www.beingjewish.com/conversion/becomingjewish.html
http://www.convertingtojudaism.com/Questions-For-Reflection.htm
(please note that I do not endorse everything in that website I just gave you, only the exact page with the questions on it--it is impossible to convert by correspondence. But they are good questions to ask yourself.)

Peace, good luck to you, and maybe eventually, welcome to the family!

Answer 4

Please read the Book of Galatians, atleast the first four or so chapters, before taking the plunge.
Salvation from God's wrath for our sins comes not from obeying bunch of laws or trying to live a righteous life, but it comes through trust in God's promise to save us through Jesus Christ, and this faith is a faith that God freely gives his chosen people that continually repents and trusts in the savior.
My I suggest that you listen to this short message first?
Hell's best kept secret

Answer 5

i can tell you 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i have no idea! I'm not a jew!!!!!!!!