It doesn't sound as if a Progressive path is the right one for you at present!

Hello

I have just found the information about the online course from the google search. I was wondering if this is the course that allows the conversion for non jews,  and whether i can be allowed to convert after taking your course.

Debora

Hi Debora,

Our Introduction to Judaism course​ gives the 'academic' knowledge required for conversion through the Bet Din of the Union for Progressive Judaism, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.  Our conversion is accepted by Israel for immigration, but not recognised by the interior ministry for marriage etc.  As you probably know, they only accept some (and not all) orthodox conversions!  This means you will need to be civilly married outside Israel - this is then recognised as a legal marriage!

In addition to the academic course, you will need to develop a relationship with a congregation in Israel, and a 'Sponsoring' Rabbi, will need to be able to read hebrew, and, if you were male, you'd need brit.  

I am not sure if there is any advantage to you in undertaking our on-line course compared to enrolling in an Israeli Progressive congregation's conversion group.  You have not said where in Israel you are living, whether you have an Israeli partner, and if so, whether they are involved in a Progressive congregation or willing to be?  It would also be useful to know a bit more about your background, work and motivation to explore conversion, and if you are planning to remain permanently in Israel or, if not, what your timescales are.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Thank you Rabbi,

I would like to undertake a course of conversion to Judaism. I have always been drawn to it and I am half Jewish. I am currently residing in Israel to fully experience a Jewish life.

 I lived in a secular environment, and never undertook any religious education. I remember having some Jewish friends in childhood and spending time in their homes. As well as I saw my grandmother from my father's side lighting Shabbat candles.

I recently lived in remote areas of the world, and only about 5 years ago I was able to visit synagogue and make contact with Jewish communities.

Somehow I started to become very interested in Judaism. Most importantly I had not fully been able to join a synagogue, as I had no documents that I am a Jew, as they requested my parents ketubah and so on.

The Jewish communities I have experienced are very hesitant to accept any strangers.  There are also many reasons of why I could not join, being distance from the synagogue as I was living too far away, and financial reasons. For various reasons very slowly I started to feel a Jewish identity, I started with attending festivals only and reading online.  

 I was interested in a conversion program, but the ones available were reform in my nearest city, and some other reform ones on line. For this reason I decided to come to Israel and live a full Jewish life that was unavailable to me at home.

Now free from any obligations I had to fulfill all my life, I want to spend remaining years studying Judaism and becoming a fully observant Jew.

I am now living in Bnei Brak where I can fully observe life as a Jew. I have Jewish friends, and though I am very limited by language, as I don’t speak Hebrew, I also attend English lectures at Chabad Institute Or Chaya in Jerusalem. I visit the orthodox shule, but they had no religious education for beginners. I have attended Shabbat dinners at my friends’ homes. I follow the laws of kashrut and Shabbat.  

Recently I was thinking why had I spent 30 years of not following Judaism and also of why Jews were sent to exile to different parts of the world.  We were told in the lectures of Or Chaya this was so they could spread Judaism to different parts of the world and gain converts. I believe it was a miracle that happened from God that I was able to come to Israel and so far see things I was only able to dream about. I feel now more than ever I am ready to become a full Jew and undertake a course in Judaism.  

I responded:

Hi again Debora,

Thanks for your response to me earlier questions.

I am pleased to hear that you have made your way to Israel, and I am sure that in due course you will find what you are looking for there.

Your various comments indicate to me that me are not able to help you.  

 I was interested in conversion program, but the ones available were reform in my nearest city and some other reform on line. For this reason I decided to come to Israel and live a full Jewish life that was unavailable to me in Australia.

Now free from any obligations I had to fulfill all my life, I want to spend remaining years studying Judaism and becoming fully observant Jew.

I am now living in Bnei Brak where I can fully observe life as  a Jew. I have Jewish friends, and though I am very limited by language, as I don’t speak Hebrew, I also attend English lectures at Chabad Institute Or Chaya in Jerusalem. I visit the local orthodox shule, but they had no religious education for beginners. I have attended Shabbat dinners at my Jewish friends’ homes. I follow the laws of kashrut and Shabbat.  

In particular it is your wish to be what you call a 'fully observant Jew', living in Bnai Brak and attending Chabad, as well as your comments about Reform in your nearest city and on line.

I am a Progressive Rabbi and you have enquired about a Progressive Introduction to Judaism course.  Progressive is an umbrella term for 'Reform, Liberal, Reconstructionist, modern' Jews, and indeed Progressive Judaism, who run the course, is part of the Union for Progressive Judaism, which in turn is our regional part of the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).

The WUPJ is headquartered in Jerusalem (just down the hill from The King David Hotel and YMCA), and is the largest synagogal body in the world. 

We believe that Progressive Judaism offers the opportunity for a Jew to live a modern life on the modern world, with a meaningful spiritual framework, and recognising the equality of the sexes, and celebrating the fact that all humans are created in the image of God, whether Jewish or Muslim or Christian or atheist, whatever colour, whether straight, gay or transgender.  These are not beliefs you will find widely shared within other parts of Judaism!

Given that you have made the move to Israel, and apparently the decision to recover your Jewish family tradition, and appear to be on the road to become orthodox or ultra-orthodox, I would think your best path would be to enroll on a religious kibbutz which has entered the 'conversion industry'.  This will immerse you fully in the life - and you will be able to decide whether this is really how you want to spend the rest of your life. If so, you can get all the tuition and an orthodox conversion there within six months or so, I believe. they will probably also help find a husband...

You should however be aware, if you follow that path, that some years ago they created a new rule - these conversions are only valid in Israel - if you leave Israel they may not be considered valid - ie you lose your Jewish status if you move back to Australia (or anywhere else).  This happened to Paula Cohen, who moved to the UK, and this 'geographical qualification' is unprecedented within Jewish tradition.

I hope that is of use to you.  I will disguise your identity and put this correspondence up on our blog so that others may read and learn from it.  

I wish you good luck in your journey, and if I can be of further assistance, please let me know.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black 

A Chinese person with exposure to various traditions finds Judaism most appealing.

Dear Progressive Judaism Victoria,

My name is David and I am currently a non Jewish student with a
great fascination about Jewish/Israeli culture and theological practice.
Though I am not an extremely religious person I feel very connected to the
Jewish people as well as the land of Israel. I have deep sympathy and
admiration for the triumph of the Zionist movement against all odds and so I
visited Israel earlier in January and I can say, despite my substantially
secular thinking, my connection towards the Jewish people and Israel
intensified a lot. I am looking at perhaps a conversion to Reconstructionist
Judaism in the future so I am interested in the process of applying and
going through the Online Courses offered by PJV.  

Thank You

PS, I know according to the Halakah a convert has to be dissuaded three
times before being accepted into the course. It's a test of not taking no
for an answer and after all one is not going to be a good Jew without some
Chutzpah :)....

Rabbi Jonathan asked David for further details:

Hi David,

Ellen has passed your enquiry about the on-line Introduction to Judaism course to me as I am the course Supervising Rabbi.  Thank you for your interest.

If you decide it is for you, we will extend a very warm and hearty welcome.  Be reassured that, if you do proceed, and if you do ultimately apply to convert, we will not send you away three times, despite the halacha!

We are delighted when intelligent adults come to the conclusion that a Progressive Jewish approach offers a meaningful and stimulating spiritual framework for their lives.  If only many born Jews realised what a treasure they had inherited!

Reconstructionism, as you seem to be aware, has less emphasis on a 'personal, responsive God', and more on culture and 'peoplehood'. Since we believe in 'Educated Choice' and that everyone's journey and experience is different, we have no problem with this, and indeed the Reconstructionist Movement has for years now been a part of the 'World Union of Progressive Judaism', our global body. Our colleague in Adelaide, Rabbi Shoshana Kaminsky, who was until recently the Chair of our Rabbinic Assembly, graduated from a Reconstructionist Seminary in the US.

Can I ask for a bit more background to understand your situation - where you are living? Have you spoken to a Rabbi about your interest up to now? Have you attended Shabbat services?

I look forward to hearing back from you,

L'shalom



Dear Rabbi,

I live in Hobart and have consulted with the local Progressive Jewish community. I have not attended their Shabbat services but I have had Hebrew lessons there and experienced Shabbat in Israel when I went over there in January. I have not yet have had a serious discussion with a Rabbi that is representative of any community regarding my intentions to study Judaism and maybe convert. (Apparently the Progressive Community in Hobart does not have a progressive Rabbi and they have joint services with Modern Orthodox congregations). I do have a vague understanding of the process, study period, Beit Din and The Bris Milah + Mikvah ceremonies. This is why I am contacting Progressive Judaism Victoria. 

Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Thanks David.  With regard to Hobart, you are slightly incorrect - although the orthodox and Progressive are both members of the same community and have social and other events together, they do hold separate orthodox and progressive services.  This is very important, especially if you wish to go on to convert, as it will be necessary to attend services regularly, including the main ones of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot.  

By the way there is also a Progressive Consulting Rabbi attached to the community who visits at least annually.  If you do decide to go ahead with the conversion after the Intro course, I would be willing to be your Sponsoring Rabbi in the absence of a permanent Progressive colleague being there.  

You have not told us what your work is, what age group you are and what your family situation is, all of which are useful to understand more your needs and expectations and how best to support you, so please let me know.

I suggest that the next step is to review the on-line course for which you will find details at: http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course

There are materials and questions for two free introductory sessions.  Please do those and submit them to tutor1@pjv.org.au, and we'll take it from there.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Dear Rabbi Jonathan:

To give a brief introduction of myself, I am Chinese. I grew up in a multicultural background. In terms of religious background my family is pretty mixed, most of them live in China. My dad is a devout Tibetan Buddhist, whilst my mum's theological beliefs are eclectic. My aunt is a devout Christian who started her own church and my grandparents are/were atheists brought up under an era of communism.  However ever since I was in my teenager years, I have been fascinated by Judaism, Zionism and the State of Israel, especially whilst others seem to have an unwarranted and naive bias against Israel. I greatly sympathize with Israel and the Jewish people, especially their tremendous society (it's not easy to be a democracy when everybody around wants to murder you) and scientific achievements. The connection I feel for Israel only intensified when I visited Israel earlier this year.

As for my occupation, I work in international relations.  This has had a substantial impact on my decision to convert to Progressive/Reconstructionist Judaism. I am not biased against Hasadic and Orthodox Judaism: in fact the Chabad's holy book, the Tanya, and its description of the Human nature in the Tzaddik (yetzer HaTov/Good spiritual inclination) and Rasha (Yetzer Ra/bad inclination) along with various other concepts had a dramatic impact in sparking my interest in Judaism. In question of my religious beliefs and my feelings towards the Torah and other academic items, I am a believer in both Baruch Spinoza (Very famed Jewish Renaissance philosopher... a pioneer of panenthiesm/Pandeism) and Rabbi Mordechai Kaplan, founder of Reconstructionism. If I am not mistaken, Rabbi Jonathan, being a panenthiest/Pandeist who has a more rationalist approach to God and who accepts the Torah/Halakah on a contextual folklore basis should not disqualify a person from converting, right???  Although Spinoza and Kaplan are somewhat too modern, even the famed Hasidic Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer did have some panenthiest theological principles..... 

My belief in Progressive Judaism also stems from the fact that when I read the Torah, I do not see it as a divine originated historical document but a very wise ancient text on human nature and morality written by divinely inspired individuals.

To which Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Thanks David,

I'd be a bit wary about describing/thinking of yourself as panetheist/pandeist.  Although we don't need to narrow God down into the biblical/Michaelangelo 'super-man' image (old man, long beard, on a cloud!), it is a fundamental belief of Judaism that there is 'one universal creator' (Sh'ma - Listen up you Jews, Our God is Eternal, the Eternal God is ONE).

Though there are doubtless atheist Jews and Buddhist Jews and even pantheist Jews, once one is a Jew, we can't stop anyone from believing whatever they want ('ortho-dox' is a misnomer as one does not have to have one - equal - belief, just a standard [set of] practice).

Generally, 'joining the club' may require beliefs and understandings that those who are already members of the club may not fully share!  And I am probably more liberal and accommodating in this area than some of my colleagues!

However a Progressive Jewish understanding of Torah absolutely coincides with yours.  We are not expecting you to believe that God gave Torah!

Hope that helps,

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Dear Rabbi Jonathan,

I am by no means a polytheist at all!  I see God as a singularity - an all-powerful form of sentient energy that encompasses the working laws of the natural universe - there has to be a singular intelligent all powerful force behind it to make all the delicate conditions for life. 

To which Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Great response,
Thanks David, I look forward to working with you!