Jewish DU'ers

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How does one convert to Judaism?

[Booberdawg]

1. Wouldn't you start by talking to a rabbi?

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2. I am not converting

I am staunchly anti-religion. I was just curious about this.

[Booberdawg]

3. I see. I am a non-practicing, raised Lutheran

so I wouldn't know other than talking to the pastor/priest/rabbi about converting to the faith.

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4. NP

Thanks for trying to help. :toast:

[REP]

5. There Is a Ritual

that is done after long study of the Torah. Ritual varies (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox).

[papau]

16. takes minimum 6 months - much to learn - and a neat bath at the end!

Good Luck to whomever wants to convert.

:-)

[scucci]

6. What's your point?

Just curious.

[_Jumper_]

9. I am young

I realize that when I get older I likely will go "religion shopping." I was thinking about that and wondered about this so I decided to inquire about it.

[BaltExpat]

17. Implied From Your Post...

1) You believe that there is a God and a spiritual after life, otherwise you would not plan on 'religion shopping' in the later stages of your life.

2) Being young guarantees that you have 'years' before you must choose the religion that ensures you a favorable place in that spiritual after life.

- Sometimes the good die young. If you believe that the spirit lives on after death maybe you should begin your shopping trip now, rather than later.

[rucky]

7. My uncle converted when he married my aunt

He had to attend some classes for a few months. Then the Rabbi conducts a ceremony. New member is called up for the Barhu (the prayer before a Torah reading).

It was awhile ago, and that may have been just my synagogue.

[Interrobang]

8. I'm not Jewish, but...

I think my fiance's mishpochke would like to see me become so! ;-)

Anyway, hypothetically speaking, if you wanted to become a ger or giyoret (m/f), the process is probably something like is listed here:

http://www.somethingjewish.co.uk/converting_to_judaism/index.htm

Of course, YMMV, so consult your local rabbi... :)

[_Jumper_]

11. Thanks

I am bookmarking that. :toast:

[_Jumper_]

10. Thanks for the responses

:yourock:

[scucci]

12. Judaism is a beautiful religion

Some more links here...

http://judaism.about.com/

[HEyHEY]

13. A Jewy Duey?

Soory it's the booze speakin' nice ryme though@

[ikojo]

14. Converting to Judaism really depends upon who you approach

Orthodox: discourage conversion. They are primarily concerned with keeping JEWS Jewish. In many orthodox communities a prospective convert will be turned away three times before he/she is taken seriously.
If one is persistent an orthodox rabbi will accept a prospective convert. However it is not something embarked on by the impatient. I have a friend who married a Jewish guy approx. 20 years ago. He became a born again Jew (baal teshuva or one who returns) and thus became more religious. My friend was attending an orthodox congregation with her husband, her kids were going to orthodox schools, she was keeping kosher (and it is NOT easy) but it still took her several YEARS to finally be converted.
After one has studied and demonstrated one's committment to leading a Torah observant orthodox life, one is taken to the mikveh (a body of water) and one dunks several times while reciting various blessings. At this time a "court" (bes din) of three rabbis asks the prospect some questions to test the candidate's Jewish knowledge.
If a male is wanting to convert to Judaism under an orthodox rabbi, he will have to be circumcised. If he is already circumcised then his penis is pricked to draw a drop of blood....sounds painful, huh?

Conservative: Make an appointment with a rabbi, study and dunk in the mikveh. Not as grueling as orthodox but not a short term committment either.

Reform....the easiest path to becoming Jewish (but I should warn, Israel is hesistant to recognize Reform converts as fully Jewish. They do recognize Reform conversions done outside of Israel but not those done within Israel). The Reform movement offers a class that lasts approx. 18 weeks. One meets with a rabbi before enrolling in the class.

[JM]

15. A few notes...

Excellent post above.

A friend recently went through a Reform conversion. For her it took about 6 months of classes, mostly because the essays she had to write were tough.

Recognition by Israel is a total BS thing IMHO, and something not really to be concerned with unless you need the dual citizenship. As a Reform Jew, I think the right wing in Israel (the ones who feel Reform Jews are not Jewish enough) are a bunch of hypocrites. My taxpayer dollars and donations sent to Israel are still perfectly Kosher to the Knesset on which they serve.

I now stop off my soapbox and applaud you for at least asking.

JM

[agingdem]

18. Converting...

I truly admire anyone who wants to convert...in one felt swoop they take on years of hate, expulsion, and exile...and now, because of Bush and his warmongering there is a new wave of Jew-haters coming out of Europe.

[ajacobson]

19. Good comments

My wife converted when she started college. My father was Jewish and I was raised in a non-religious household (my parents progressively thought that me and my brother would come to faith as part of our own personal journey, which I greatly appreciate today). I identify culturally with the Jewish people although I am an atheist. We have been members of a Reform temple in the past, but not right now. The religious establishment in Israel would not consider either of us as Jewish.

[agingdem]

20. In my house...

Both my parents were Jewish (Holocaust survivors) so when I started dating my husband they were somewhat dismayed. You see, my husband's father was Jewish but his mother was not though she made a conscious effort to raise the children in her husband's faith. So, what was the big dilemma regarding my then boyfriend? My parents wanted to know which half was Jewish. No problem, I explained, the bottom half.

[proud patriot]

21. I hear it is very Difficult n/t

[AlFrankenFan]

22. My rabbi would be thrilled

we don't even have enough Jews here in OC to fill the temple. Ask a rabbi at your local temple or marry a Jew.