Choosing to Become Jewish

Interested in Becoming Jewish?

Welcome.

We are delighted you’ve found us to explore. First stop to reach out to us to book a conversation with our rabbi via . We value those who are seeking and choose Judaism and are greatly enriched by those who join our congregation.

We are part of Liberal Judaism and here are the guidelines for conversion within.

The cost to the Liberal Beit Din is £520.

Whilst you are choosing to navigate Jewish tradition with progressive eyes, we are deeply committed to teaching Judaism so you feel empowered and familiar with traditional laws and and perspectives and the reason why we do not choose to fulfil them in the same way. Informed choice is vital. Those that embark on this journey with us tell us they feel held, supported and encouraged to be thoughtful and reflective about Jewish tradition.

Here are some parts of the course and what to expect.

Attending Services

Even if religious services ‘are not your thing’ there is an expectation you attend to become familiar with them and the congregation. We believe deeply in the importance of relationality and the belonging to a synagogue, with the connections and relationships it brings. This makes the process more meaningful.

Friday Night Dinners and opportunities to be together

We offer a Chavurah/Bring and Share Friday night dinner the last Friday of every month and we often encourage the Delving Group to attend and make Shabbat together outside of class.

Keeping a Journal

This is a useful exercise to chart your journey into Judaism and be able to observe and witness your progress and changing reactions to things. It can be a purely private endeavour just for you.

Hebrew Learning

There is an expectation that you will learn a little of prayer book Hebrew to aid your navigating of the service and recognition of key Jewish vocabulary.

We offer a Wednesday lunchtime class and a Monday evening class at the moment. To participate, please contact the office at or call 020 8446 4063. Both will be easier if you have mastered some of the Aleph Bet.

We also recommend a superb private tutor John Rubinstein.

Essays

Liberal Judaism ask for two essays to complete the year of learning and submit before your Beth Din appointment.

The FIRST asks you to elaborate on why you are choosing to become Jewish… The SECOND can be on a topic of your choice which you can discuss with our rabbi. They should be roughly 1000-2000 words.

Classes

Our Conversion class is taught within the Delving into Judaism class on a Wednesday evening at 7pm. These classes are exclusively on zoom (for the moment).

Our classes move through a cycle each year; you can join at any point and still complete the cycle. Some even choose to carry on beyond the year! You can be sure to cover the following topics:

Jewish Calendar and the Cycle of the Year

Key fast and festival days. How the Hebrew Calendar works and its interaction with the Gregorian year.

“This is Real and You are Completely Unprepared” (Rabbi Alan Lew z”l)-The High Holiday Festivals of the Jewish New Year and their meaning.
Shalosh Regalism – the Three Pilgrim Festivals, called because they required Pilgrimages to the Temple in Biblical Times: Sukkot, Shavuot and Pesach.
‘And After’ The festivals outside of Torah and later periods: Purim and Chanukah.
December Dilemma and the Christmas and Chanukah mix.
‘What do they have to do with us?’ The newly added Yom HaShoah/Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmau’t.

Jewish Lifecycle

Birth and New Rituals and the Ambivalence of Circumcision
Coming of Age-the Bar/Bat/B’nei Mitzvah
Marriage and Commitment ceremonies
Conversion-Moses Maimonides’ letter about assuming Jewish Ancestry in the 12th century.
Jewish attitudes to Old Age and Death.
The Art of Shehechianu– Marking First Moments.
Who’s Included-Liberal Judaism’s Pioneering new frontiers.

Jewish Texts and their Importance

As Amos Oz wrote: “Jews No Longer talk of Blood Lines but Text Lines”

Torah and the portions of the Week and how they inform Jewish Life and Conversation.
The rest of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) what are these texts and when might you encounter them?
Rabbinic Writing Mishnah and Talmud the early years of the Common Era.
Jewish Memory; Jonathan Safran Foer and Joseph Chaim Yerushalmi

Jewish Practices and the Choices We Make

Kashrut – Ethical Eating and Consuming
Prayer and Synagogue
Jewish Denominations and the different Movements.
Tzedakah – the value of Charity and Philanthropy in Jewish tradition
The Idea of Minyan and Showing up in Jewish community
Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof – Justice, Justice Shall you Pursue (Deuteronomy) Social Justice and Social Action in contemporary Judaism’s pursuit of Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World.
Making Shabbat
Making Seder
Blessings