Conversion
Conversion
Rabbi Lillian Kowalski teaches a 12-week Introduction to Judaism 101 course several times a year. People register for these classes for many reasons – some want to increase their knowledge of Judaism, others are interfaith couples who want to be married through Temple, and some take it out of general interest. And, of course, people take these classes in order to begin the process of conversion.
A section of 101, taught by Rabbi Dara Lithwick, is also conducted in French. For this section, students must purchase their own books.
If you are interested in converting to Judaism, following the Introduction to Judaism 101 course, you must complete a written assignment. The assignment is “open book,” and is sent to you at your request, upon completion of the 12-week 101 class.
Another course then follows: Introduction to Judaism 201, (12 weeks), in which basic Hebrew reading is taught for 10 weeks and then Rabbis Kowalski and Grushcow each teach 2 weeks of “how to” for Jews. These four sessions address some of the practicalities of converting to Judaism in the context of Reform Judaism.
The candidate for conversion will then meet with Rabbi Grushcow, Temple’s Senior Rabbi, to review the written assignment. Then, if the person is ready, she/he will go for ritual immersion at the Mikveh. A man must be circumcised before going to Mikveh; (we can facilitate your circumcision, if this is necessary). There is a fee for going to the Mikveh.
We encourage people on the conversion path to become a part of the Temple community, by attending services and other programs. Potential converts are also required to volunteer at Temple for at least four hours. Prior to going to the Mikveh, we require that the person become a member of Temple; (membership fees can be discussed with our front office).
For more information about our Introduction to Judaism classes or about Conversion to Judaism, please contact Aliza.
From Rabbi Grushcow
This Shabbat, I will have the privilege of witnessing 14 adults becoming b’nei mitzvah at our synagogue. For a variety of reasons, none of them observed this rite at the traditional age of 13. Many are women, to whom the doors were closed in more traditional settings. Others only became Jewish, or connected with their Judaism, as adults. The group includes a child survivor of the Holocaust and a parent of a newborn baby. Some have Jewish fathers, Jewish mothers, neither, or both. They are people of different ethnicities and different mother tongues. What they all have in common is that none of them take their Judaism for granted — even if they grew up immersed in Jewish life. One way or another, they are all coming from the outside in.
Each year, on Shavuot, we host a program called “Ruth’s Roundtable,” and we invite some of our Jews-by-Choice to speak about their journeys to Judaism.
Shavuot 2019:
Rachel (to read Rachel’s words, click here).
Jews by Choice tell their stories
