We were delighted you are considering conversion to Judaism and want to congratulate you on your spiritual decision. We are pleased that you are interested in the conversion process. Our course and bet din have converted hundreds of people from all corners of the globe. We have decades of experience helping Jews-by-Choice through the process. Our rabbis are some of the most well-known authorities on conversion to Judaism, as well as distinguished retired congregational rabbis. The are generally Conservative rabbis, but converts who wish to be Reform or other denominations take our course and convert with us regularly.To get started, you can just fill out and return the enrollment form with payment information and email it back to us. Feel free to call or email with questions and concerns anytime. Judaism36@gmail.com 847-331-3584
Some basics of the program and process:
Once you complete the attached form and pay tuition and book fee, we'll send books and materials and a few emails containing files, #7 of which is the course. The rest of the files are good helpful, optional other material. Complete the16 Sessions in file #7, with assigned readings, values, videos, email terms and any questions there with brief completed definitions for each session (we have videos to assist). Then, after completing the sessions, write a final essay about your journey and life as a Jew. We provide the questions for the essay. You work the course at your own pace. We don't set minimim or maximum time limits. Some strive to do a session a week, which takes 16 weeks but that is pretty ambitious. It depends how much time you can allot. You are under no time pressure.
Please feel free to have conversations with us as needed. We, of course, expect you to establish a commitment to Jewish living and religious practice as reflected by Declaration of Faith and to commit to learn basic Hebrew reading. We provide much assistance in the materials we send. At the end of the course, you'll appear before a Beit Din (rabbinical tribunal) at which time you will be asked the following questions, among others:
* Do you choose to enter the eternal covenant between God and the people Israel and to become a Jew of your own free will?
* Do you accept Judaism to the exclusion of all other religious faiths and practices?
* Do you pledge your loyalty to Judaism and to the Jewish people under all circumstances?
* Do you promise to establish a Jewish home, and to participate actively in the synagogue and the Jewish community?
* Do you commit yourself to the pursuit of Torah and Jewish knowledge?
* If you should be blessed with children, do you promise to raise them as Jews?
With the beit din you'll read and sign the declaration of Faith Pick out a Hebrew name. For legal/spiritual purposes your parents will be Abraham and Sarah.
Males require circumcision. If already circumcised, a ritual circumcision, called hatafat dam brit, is required, which will take place with a certified mohel at the mikvah. Males and females will require immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath). At the conclusion we give you 4 documents: Hebrew and English conversion papers signed by the beit din, a certificate of course completion and signed copy of your declaration. We bless you and bestow your Hebrew name in at the mikvah. Mazel tov! You're a Jew then.
We look forward to helping you on this most important journey.
Dear Rabbi,
What an exciting and life altering journey I have discovered. There is a Talmudic quote which says each blade of grass has an angel bending over it whispering “grow grow”. That is an amazing thing to have such encouragement. That is how I feel on this journey. You have opened a wonderful way to access information, study and association. Thank you and know this is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Abigail
What I really like about your program is that you use technology to
your advantage. All the classes you would normally teach a convert in
your office you have recorded and put on line. The advantage with
making a recording of your material and making it accessible to your
students and perspective students, is that your students (those who
have decided that Judaism is for them) they can study the material any
time that they want and gain benefit. How many Rabbi’s would enjoy a
phone call at 9 pm so the student can learn the bedtime prayer at the
time they should be saying it? As for the perspective students (those
who are trying to decide if Judaism is right for them) there seems to
be a need to gain enough information to be able to make that decision.
Your videos certainly do cover the critical amount of needed
information to make that decision.
For me, I like your videos. Because it is through repetition that I
will master the many songs and prayers in Hebrew that you have given
me. Anything can be learned if one is willing to here it everyday.Amy writes "
Bet Din of Metropolitan Chicago,
Gold Medal Adult Education USCJ 2009
847-331-3584
send application to rabbi@convertjudaism.org
More information go to www.convertjudaism.blogspot.com
ENROLLMENT Form
Enrollment form for ONLINE CONVERSION TO JUDAISM/JEWISH CONVERSION
Packet
Confidential Information Form
(MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE BEGINNING COURSE)
Date of First Class Session_______________________
Name____________________________________________
Street Address___________________________________City_______________Zip__________
Date of Birth_____________ Tel._______________________ E-mail_______________________
Marital Status_________________ Children___________________________________________
Spouse_________________________________
Occupation________________________________ Employer_____________________________
Present/past church affiliation______________________________________________________
How did you learn about the program?_______________________________________________
Explain your interest in Judaism_______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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If you are sharing this instructional conversion experience with a Jewish partner, please furnish the following information:
Name_______________________________________________________
Street Address____________________________________City______________Zip___________
Telephone_______________________________________ E-mail__________________________
I understand this conversion to Judaism through this program, conducted under Conservative Jewish auspices, would most likely not be considered acceptable by Orthodox Rabbis, and Orthodox Israeli authorities.
Being accepted into the program for study does not automatically mean the candidate would be acceptable for conversion. The candidate needs to fulfill the requirements AND be found worthy by the Rabbinic Tribunal/ Bet DIN
