On a test, we asked 'What is 'Aliyah'?

The thorough answer submitted was: a) to go up (to the bimah - reading desk) in synagogue when the Torah is being read to receive a blessing, and 

b) to go up (to Israel) - often preceeded by an 'aliyah' in synagogue to receive a blessing for a safe return'

Because the ansers were so comprehensive, I took the opportunity to add some extra learning information: It is good that you named the two types of Aliyah. However the second is not used for going (up) to visit Israel - someone may have an 'Aliyah' (call up) before any significant journey, but it doesn't matter if it is Israel or Timbuktoo!  To MAKE Aliyah is to go and LIVE in Israel (and it has an opposite (problematic to my mind - because it is so values oriented), YERIDAH, going down, leaving Israel after living there.

I've fallen in love - with an Israeli and with Israel!

Shalom Rabbi Jonathan,

I am contacting you as I am seeking to convert and have been reading your blog and the course materials for the Introduction to Judaism over the past few months.  I am hoping you could provide a little guidance as well as potentially either recommend whether the online or a structured in-person Judaism course would be a good start.

I came to Melbourne to study Arts at Monash University, and have been between here, my family home in Halls Gap, and travelling through Israel, Europe and the US for the past 4 years.  I am due to graduate at the end of this year and my Jewish Israeli boyfriend is living with me here in Camberwell until the middle of the year.  From that point our future living location depends on work, family etc.

Background

A little background on myself.  I grew up in regional South Auistralia, with a background of various Christian denominational influences,  with a Catholic mother, a Lutheran father, and many protestant evangelical friends, but was never baptized, confirmed, etc.

I initially traveled to Israel in 2012 as a 19 year old, while on a EuroTrip, and loved the two weeks I spent there over the Purim holiday.  I then went back in 2013 for a Semester break and ended up staying over 4 months semester studying Holocaust studies and travelling the region.  I met a lovely Israeli guy (Shai), and we have been dating ever since, and I have been welcomed into his family and life.

After another year of study in Australia during which Shai came to stay with me for a few months, I decided to head back and volunteer in an eco-project to spend more time in Israel and of course to see Shai.  Intending to stay for up to a year, I ended up breaking my arm in an accident, and smashing my elbow which meant I spent longer time there in hospital and found work in Tel Aviv for a year.

Shail's family and other many families around me showed me so much love and really welcomed me into their homes and life.  I felt that my Jewish Israeli community was a strong basis of the person I was becoming, and certainly more a part of me than any western Christian tradition had been. With my main interactions with Judaism being within Israel, I was presented with many faces of Jewish religion, culture, food, politics and everything that comes along with that.  Generally speaking I loved it (though as you will know, life in Israel is never without drama and stress!).  I took part in all the holidays, and am doing my best to learn Hebrew. 

Reasons for wanting to convert

For almost 3 years, I have celebrated every Jewish Holiday, spent almost all my time with Jewish friends and family, and felt very connected to Judaism, albeit a somewhat secular version.  I have felt for quite some time that I have to make this connection stronger, and become Jewish myself.  I feel I am already developing such a strong connection to traditions both in Torah and contemporary Judaism, as well as to God, that I want to go deeper into Judaism and this is the rational next step.

Further, while we are not looking to marry yet, my relationship with Shai is steady and once I have graduated I would like this to be an option.  I know that it is important both to him, his family, and myself, that a future family would be raised Jewish, and this plays a small but significant part in my wanting to convert.

I have attended various synagogues - Shai occasionally goes to a modern orthodox one in Israel but says he feels much more comfortable in the few Progressive ones!  We attended Kabbalat Shabbat at Temple Beth Israel last week which was great, and very much enjoyed the service at Leo Baeck, and meeting you as well. 

Thanks Rabbi Jonathan, and I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps.

Siana

Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Dear Siana (and Shai),

It was so lovely to meet you in shul today.  It seems as if your time, study and connections in Israel, and with Shai and his family, should count for something, and I am very happy to help you.  As I explained on the phone, it takes a minimum of a year to complete the class, simply because we want you to learn about the festivals as they come around, and have time to experience and discuss them.

You will need to decide which shul (synagogue) and which course you wish to embark upon. You have now experienced both Temple Beth Israel and Leo Baeck. Today's pusy Civic service was an unusual one - usually we have 30-40 people, including about 3-4 who are doing the Intro class and/or converting.

Temple Beth Israel (TBI) is a much larger and more central congregation, and consequently has more people converting, including several young couples who you could become friendly with (this makes it easier and more fun, and may set you up with good friends for life!).

However the taught class does only have an intake in February and one in July.  Much as I enjoyed our initial conversations and the prospect of working with you, my advice would be to go along as often as you can to services and activities at TBI, with a view to getting started in July.

Having said that, you are going to have to decide what will work best for you. I'd love to work with you (both), in part because I am keen for you to take back a fresh and enthusiastic perspective on Progressive Judaism to Israel (where it has a real and crucially important struggle). The cost for the two courses is the same, though the on-line one is pay as you go through the seven units.

Becoming Jewish is a major and significant step in your life, Siana, but if you feel it is right for you (both), I can say that Progressive Judaism offers a great spiritual framework for modern life (and to establish and raise a family) - all the more in Israel where it is still common for many Israelis to say 'I'm in Israel and that is enough' - whilst rejecting ultra-orthodox coercion, yet clearly searching for reasons to stay and explanations for why they feel so connected (and guilty when they are away!).

I mentioned Anat Hoffman to Shai in terms of the amazing social justice work that she is leading from Jerusalem. The website for IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center) is irac.org and the newsletter signup is right there on the home page (no cost).  It is doing truly remarkable work in Israel.

One important thing to bear in mind is that, though someone converting through us is able to apply to live in Israel as a Jew, once in Israel, they are still not recognised by the Interior Ministry as Jewish - which means they won't be able to be married (or buried) as a Jew.  We hope that before too long, action by the Knesset - or perhaps by IRAC, will change the situation so that, at least, people will be able to be married in a civil wedding, which is not yet available in Israel!

Shavua Tov - have a great week

Rabbi Jonathan

I live miles away from any Jewish Community - can I still join your course, and could I become Jewish?

(Details changed to protect the writer's identity)

Hello Rabbi, 

I am interested in the Judaism online course you offer. I am not Jewish but have had a deep interest in Judaism for many years. I have often thought of learning more for the purpose of conversion, and that is why I am interested in your course now. I would like to learn more about Judaism and see where I am led after this learning.  I realise it is a journey of faith.

Unfortunately, where I live, country QLD, there are no synagogues close by where I could immerse myself into the synagogue and community. So, I do not know where this would leave me following my education. 

Could it be possible to study your introduction course and use that in conjunction with meeting a Rabbi from another area on occasions. The closest synagogue is about 6 hours from where I live. Have potential converts done anything like this before?

Thank you so much for your time, 

Sim


Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Dear Sim,

Thanks so much for your interest.  I am the supervising Rabbi for the On-line Introduction to Judaism course, and I also have a congregation in Melbourne's Eastern Suburbs.  Please look at the two introductory sessions at http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course, and if you find them helpful, you will be very welcome to undertake the course which will give you a deeper and more comprehensive of Judaism and especially as we view it through a Progressive lens.  If you do undertake the course, I will keep an eye on your progress and be available for questions, and your tutor may well be my wife Sue, who is the lead tutor.

In terms of Conversion, completion of the Introduction to Judaism course is a major plank  - but there are also important other aspects, some of which, as you rightly point out, will be very difficult for you in your location.

It is very hard to live a Jewish life alone - there are many aspects which are usually family or community celebrations or commemorations.  Yes, you would be trailblazing - but you won't be the first, and as Herzl said, talking about the reestablishment of a Jewish homeland; 'Im Tirtzu, eyn zo agadah - if you really will it, it need be no dream'!

Other aspects required are: Relationship with a Rabbi (you are now commencing that with me!), and with a community... perhaps, over the years, we will be able to develop a 'virtual community' in some ways, but as yet it does not really exist - one thing we are trying to do is to organise an annual weekend for people to gather, study, meet and celebrate together - and of course we also have various congregations such as Central Coast, Gold Coast, Sydney and Brisbane, where we would arrange a welcome if you were able to visit.  We also require an ability to read Hebrew (we have a self-study course for this purpose) and of course circumcision - the 'sign of the covenant with God'.  It is not an easy job to become Jewish - even if you are near a community.  It takes at least a year - simply because we want you to learn about the upcoming festivals as they approach, and ideally, to experience them.  For most people, it takes longer, often two years or more.

But Judaism is a wonderful tradition, with a wealth of experience and guidance for every part of life, and worth the study and exploration.  If you are looking to find out more, you have come to the right place.  God is in this place!

In terms of the cost of the units, there are 7 (a mystical number in Judaism) and they currently cost $140 each - you pay as you work through them, so if it takes you longer, the cost is more spread out!

I hope that is useful.  I would also refer you to http://upj.org.au/ which is the website for the Union for Progressive Judaism in Australia and New Zealand, with lots of other useful information. 

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

I feel Jewish and want to live in Israel

Dear Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black,

Please forgive me if I have addressed you incorrectly, I am writing to you in hope, of the possibility I could have an appointment with you in regards to some advice.
My name is Jo, I was raised as a Christian but I have not ever considered myself to be a Christian, I have been on a spiritual path for the last few years. Over the last couple of years Israel, Hebrew and Judaism have all been 'calling' to me, but I kept trying to ignore it. A few weeks ago during a meditation I felt overwhelmed with emotion and fell apart (that has never happened during meditation to me before) I was crying because I wanted to go 'home' and that home was Israel, for the following 48hrs I kept being told I was Jewish and I was to convert. To my ego this made no sense, but I feel like I have awakened to a deeper level of my soul and my soul is Jewish, and I am not currently with my people and I really want to go home (Israel). I would like to know if this is normal for someone who is not born Jewish, I have been guided to read the books of Enoch and have almost finished a translation on the dead sea scrolls as these kinds of writings really 'speak' to me.
I am in confusion however I know that is only my mind and I would really appreciate a meeting if possible.
Thank you for your time,
Kindest Regards Jo

RABBI JONATHAN RESPONDS:

Hi Jo,

You addressed me exactly correctly!

You have not told me where you are based, or much about yourself.

I am a bit puzzled about Enoch (not really one of ours as, though originally Jewish, it is not part of our cannon and has had more influence on Christianity!).

The Dead Sea scrolls are a collection of Jewish Canonical and Essene texts.  An interesting place to start!  What is important to understand is that Judaism is an unfolding and developing tradition – nowhere in the world will you find Jews practicing Biblical Judaism.  Of course we like to say that the ‘core truths’ remain constant – One power of the universe, loving, patient, forgiving, and just – and our task is to try to emulate God, and bring those values to the world about us.

We have a special connection to the land of Israel where significant parts of our story unfolded (much also developed in Babylon – ie Iraq!) – but, though the modern State of Israel is an amazing story, and almost all Jews believe absolutely in its right to exist in safety and security, the relationship is very complicated, and you can certainly be a good and active and involved Jew whilst living outside of Israel.

So if your motivation is to go and live in Israel, I am not sure that we’d be the best port of call – but if you are interested in learning about a wonderful framework for modern spiritual life, then please contact me with some more details.  

Rabbi Jonathan