Welcome to Progressive Judaism - A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century

Shalom and welcome - I am glad you have visited!  My name is Jonathan Keren-Black, and I spent 20 years as the Rabbi at the Leo Baeck Centre in East Kew, Melbourne, Australia http://lbc.org.au/. until 2023.  I am now honoured to be Emeritus Rabbi there, and have moved to live at the Narara Ecovillage on the Central Coast of New South Wales, from where I run the Online Introduction to Judaism course for Progressive Judaism Victoria, and have students from across Australia and New Zealand.

I grew up in the Progressive Movements (Reform and Liberal) in the UK and became a Rabbi in 1988 after 5 years training at the Leo Baeck College in London and in Jerusalem.  In 2003 my family and I moved to Melbourne, where I am remain part of ARC, the Assembly of Rabbis and Cantors of the Union for Progressive Judaism, Australia, New Zealand and Asia (big region!).  I was the Editorial Team leader for our beautiful prayer book introduced in 2010, the World Union Edition of Mishkan T'filah, and I also developed and adapted 'A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century' (see below), which is one of our course text books, to suit our region. Most recently I also lead the development and introduction of  our High Holy Day book set, 'Mishkan T'shuvah'.  These books are all available from various places, including me (details below).

Of course, we believe that Progressive Judaism is one of the best frameworks for a modern, spiritual life, and it is always a pleasure when people who have not grown up as Jews decide to join the journey, and often end up deciding to be Jewish themselves.  One of the most satisfying things we Rabbis do is sit on a Bet Din (a Jewish Court), hear people's stories about how they came to Judaism, and welcome them formally to be part of the Jewish people (often with tears of happiness all round!).

This blog is to record enquiries (anonymously) and my responses (starting below).  You may find something that reflects or informs your own situation.

Of course our communities have run formal 'Introduction to Judaism' classes for many years, for members interested in learning more formally and broadly about Judaism, for non-Jews who are interested in understanding more about Judaism 'from the inside', and for those who are thinking of becoming Jewish.   Fifteen years ago, we decided to utilise advances in technology to make this course available on line, and I have been delighted to supervise students from all over Australia and beyond, many of whom have since gone on to become committed and involved members of their local Jewish communities.  You can try out the first two 'Foundation' sessions of the course for free, and see if it feels useful and informative to you:
email me at 'Jonathan (you know how to do @) Kerenblack.com'

To provide suitable support materials, I adapted an excellent book originally written by my colleague Rabbi Pete Tobias from the UK to make it an ideal fit for the slightly different needs of our region - our version is called 'A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century' and it is available from Amazon.com, ISBN 145-6-307576 or from me direct (cheaper and quicker!).  

Although Hebrew is not necessary to complete an Introduction to Judaism course, it is if you wish to participate in Jewish community life, and certainly if you wish to become Jewish, and so I have also produced a teach-yourself book for adults called 'Hebrew from Zero', which utilises lots of tricks and devices learned from my own teachers and developed and refined over the years to make learning to read Hebrew, quick, easy and fun!  Again, Amazon or from me, ISBN code 146-6-462183

It is important to understand that there are a variety of approaches within the Jewish world, just as there are in all other faiths (but perhaps even more so - we have a saying in Judaism 'Two Jews, three opinions'!).  The 'continuum' of Jewish belief extends rightwards from Progressive Judaism to the orthodox and ultra-orthodox, and leftwards to secular and atheist Jews (although both secular and atheist Jews might sound strange, Judaism is not only a religion but also a people and a culture, so there are in fact many who put themselves in those categories, including very many Israelis, who consider themselves 'khiloni' or 'secular' Jews.

The dividing line between 'Progressive Judaism' and 'Orthodoxy' comes down to how we view Torah.  If you are orthodox, you believe it is the five books dictated to Moses by God at the top of Mount Sinai.  It must therefore be 'true and without fault'.  Progressive Judaism (Reform, Liberal, Reconstructionist) believes that Torah is a human attempt to record 'what God wants from us' but is therefore naturally limited by its time and context (other groups such as Conservative or Masorti view it similarly, as, to a greater or lesser extent, 'through human agency').  The various styles of language, different names for God, internal contradictions, duplicated stories with different details (for example the two consecutive accounts of Creation and humanity) do not have to be forcibly reconciled, but are signs of our rich and wide human experience.  We might view Torah - and indeed 4000 years of the Jewish story - as a 'grand symphony of traditions'. 

It is only fair to say, though, that although individuals often have good and strong relationships with other denominations of Jews - and most families will include Progressive, orthodox, mixed-marrieds and non-believers - the formal structures of Judaism sometimes have more difficulty getting along!  Although Rabbis may have colleagues and friends in other  denominations, there is a rule within parts of orthodoxy not to share a public platform with Progressive Rabbis, and they will not officially recognise our rabbinic status, nor therefore anyone who converts with us! Since Progressive Judaism is the largest synagogue grouping in the world (World Union for Progressive Judaism - http://www.wupj.org/), this does not need to be a major issue, though it can occasionally lead to some difficult family situations - sadly beyond our control.  Never-the-less we need to warn people from the start.

In Britain, I was used to the argument that Judaism is 4000 years old, Christianity is 2000 and Islam is 1300 - with the implication that older is better (I will question that in a moment)!  But moving to Australia, we are very aware that Indigenous faith traditions go back around 60,000 years in this land, which makes even 4000 pale in comparison.  But one of the principles of Judaism - and particularly emphasised in Progressive Judaism, is respect for other faiths - we believe there are many paths to God.  So I have always been very involved with interfaith relationships and understanding, and helped to establish the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia (http://jcma.org.au/) in 2003.  All three traditions actually have very similar values, which is hardly surprising given our common stories and heritage!  And, put simply, I'd call the biblical period 'Mark 1 Judaism' (or perhaps even better: 'Israelitism'), out of which stemmed two new expressions, Rabbinic Judaism - or 'Mark 2 Judaism', and Christianity. Christianity made certain changes which may in due course have led to the start of Islam, which returns to a stricter ethical monotheism.  And all have changed and developed into multiple expressions, some more moderate, others more fundamentalist, at times working and learning and living together and from each other, at other times antithetical and destructive to the others.

So that's my starting point.  We need to work together, with respect for difference and diversity, both between traditions and within our own.  There is no 'one true path' - and even if there was, only God would know it!  And, to finish with a new note, each of the traditions believes God put us here to look after God's creations - the earth and its creatures.  And we've made a real mess of it - and if we don't immediately work together to save God's world, there will be nothing left to argue about!  (See http://jeco.org.au/ [Jewish] or https://www.arrcc.org.au/ [Interfaith]).  So, on finishing 35 years' work in the congregational Rabbinate, we have moved to live in the Intentional Eco-community at the Narara Ecovillage on the Central Coast of New South Wales: https://nararaecovillage.com/.  But as well as having the Honourary position of Emeritus Rabbi at Leo Baeck, I am now the Consulting Rabbi for the very small Progressive community on the Central Coast, which is our new Jewish home! 

 

My great grandmother was a jew. Under Jewish law this makes my grandfather (her son) a Jew as well. Under Reform Judaism, are my father and myself considered jewish (patrilineal descent) despite not being raised as Jews?

Dear Marlene,

Thank you so much for your enquiry 'Am I a Jew?'

We would be delighted to assist and you would be most welcome to come along and meet us at one of our synagogues, though you haven't mentioned where you are currently based.  We would love to assist you to recover your Jewish connections and discover a Jewish identity. 

You have rightly pointed out that there are differences in approach between orthodox and progressive (Reform is a part of the progressive umbrella of the World Union for Progressive Judaism of which we are a part).

The orthodox count a person as Jewish if they are born to a Jewish mother.  By this logic, your grandfather was indeed a Jew. However, neither you nor your father have Jewish mothers nor were raised as Jews, and consequently would not be considered Jews.

The progressive approach is a more egalitarian one, drawing not only on natural justice but also on the fact that for the first half of the Jewish story (Biblical Judaism), the line went through the fathers (Abraham Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Menasseh etc, whilst in the second half (Rabbinic Judaism) it has gone through the mother (who, despite whatever may have happened in the previous 9 months, is always present at the birth!).

Therefore we say the line passes through either mother OR father - provided that the child is raised as a Jew and has 'timely acts of Jewish observance', which would include religious education, bar/bat mitzvah, celebrating shabbat, regular attendance at festivals such as New Year, Passover Seder, Chanukah lighting. (However, if both parents are Jewish, then you are Jewish even without the upbringing and timely acts, since 'what else could you be?')

So sadly, by our definition, since your grandfather was not raised as a Jew by your great grandmother, he would not be counted, though unless he was actively raised as something else, we would look for indications that would allow us to be lenient and accepting.

However, even if we accepted your great grandfather (and if the orthodox would, it would seem harsh and overly rigid for us not so do so), your father would not be considered Jewish since, as you say, he was not raised as a Jew, and for you yourself, the same conclusion would apply.  Sadly, you neither had a Jewish parent or a Jewish upbringing.

Having said all that, I reiterate that we would be happy to assist - we run regular Introduction to Judaism courses which you can access on line at your own speed, and we believe strongly that if you are looking for a meaningful, spiritual framework for your life, this is what our approach to Judaism offers, with a strong emphasis on community, justice and 'healing the world' to enable you to rejoin the community and formalise your Jewish status within the progressive Jewish world (though sadly it would not be recognised by the orthodox, over which we have no control!).         

I do hope this is helpful.  Please contact me if you'd like to know how to proceed.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

On Conversion, Marriage and Status of Children

Hello,
My name is Deborah, I am Jewish, however my partner who I have been going
out with for 8 years is not. The option of him converting has been discussed
over the last few years. I think his conversion needs to be done through a
liberal/progressive movement though, as we have looked into and spoken to a
orthadox rabbi and it's honestly just too hard.

My question is, if my partner converts through a liberal/progressive shul (synagogue) I
am aware we would ultimately end up getting married by a liberal/progressive
rabbi. Therefore, is our marriage considered Jewish? And when we ultimately
have children and we gave them bar/bat-mitzvahs do they take on the
liberal/progressive identity or would they still be considered orthadox
because of me no matter where they were given bar/bat-mitzvahs and no matter
where we got married?

Please let me know.
Many thanks.
Deborah

-------------------------------------------

Rabbi Jonathan responds:

Many thanks for your message and honesty, Deborah.

The bottom line is what you want conversion for?

If your partner is not interested in converting to Judaism, we can't convert him.  If he (and you) wish to be orthodox, we're not the right address for you.

If you both want to have a meaningful Jewish life that believes in welcoming sincere converts without making it too difficult, then we may be the right place.

However you have given no information as to where you are located.  To convert you have to be able to be part of a Jewish community.

Conversion takes a minimum of a year - realistically it usually takes more like two - and includes circumcision (for males) and mikveh (ritual immersion), which concludes the process.

I would point out, though, that we run an Introduction to Judaism course (which can be done on-line), which is the 'academic' side of the Conversion course.  Your partner (or you both) would be welcome to undertake this, and would both then know and understand more about Judaism and our perspectives, and would be better equipped to understand Judaism, discuss with family, raise children in a Jewish home, and know whether or not he wished to continue to conversion at some point.  You'll find details here:

http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-online

Regarding your wedding questions:

The Progressive Movement in Australia, New Zealand and Asia only does marriage between two Jews.

If your partner converted with us, he would sadly not be accepted as Jewish in the eyes of most orthodox, and therefore you would not be able to get married in an orthodox synagogue.

However, since the orthodox observe the matrilineal rule, if the mother is accepted as Jewish by the orthodox, then so are the children.  Therefore, from the narrow point of view of the Jewish status of the children, it makes no difference whether your partner does not convert, or converts through the Progressive movement, or converts through the orthodox system.

Wanting a 'Chuppah' (a Jewish wedding under the canopy) is certainly not a good enough reason to convert and take on an entire framework and world view of belief and practice.  However, if a couple are both born Jewish, or if one converts through our Bet Din (Jewish court), then of course we'd be delighted to conduct a Chuppah.  A past orthodox Chief Rabbi of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, Rabbi Jakobovitz, ruled that if a couple could have been married by the orthodox, then the children are counted as Jews, whether they are married in a Progressive or orthodox ceremony.   

Therefore, they could if you chose celebrate Bar and Bat Mitzvah in orthodox synagogues (though your husband would not be able to be involved, whereas in a Progressive congregation they could).

I hope this is helpful.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any further questions, or to make an appointment to come together to chat about it all, without obligation of course!  And if you might be interested, why not come along to a service or two to see if you feel comfortable with our lovely, friendly community in East Kew?

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Jonathan 

I've started - can you help me finish?

Dear Rabbi . I have been in touch with a colleague of yours in the Union for Progressive Judaism as I am living in Australia.

They advised me to get in touch with you re conversion requirements.

I have done an on-line course with an organisation based in the U.S.A but I don't know if it's the real thing.

I haven't been before a bet din (Jewish court) there or been to a mikva (ritual bath), but I have done all the study modules.

Sorry to trouble you but I am anxious to convert in a way that will be acceptable and allow me to become an active member of the Jewish community in Australia.

 

Hi Jessica,

Can you send me the overview of the modules and study that you have done?

Also have a look at the questions I have sent you.  If you feel you can answer these confidently then it would suggest you have done the basic 'academic learning' we require. If not, we'll need to arrange some topping up.  If you'd like to try to answer them as best you can, using work and learning you've done, plus books and internet, then I'm happy to review them to identify what we'd need to do.

In particular it would be useful for you to get an overview of progressive Jewish concepts in our region, for which I recommend our course book 'A Judaism for the Twenty-First Century'  which I adapted from the British Progressive movement. You can get it on line from Amazon or I can get one sent to you for Au$25 plus postage (call the office to order by credit card +61 3 9819 7160).

Before you go before the Bet Din you will also need to take an 'Inventory' for which you'll need to go in to one of our congregations and complete a paper without books, internet etc.  There is no pass mark for this but it does give us an idea of how much you actually have retained in your mind as opposed to in notes - for example what is the Hebrew year; what is the next main festival?

And before this, you'll also need to be able to read hebrew - hebrew gives access to Jewish ritual such as blessings.  This is because the Inventory asks you what certain blessings are for - easy ones, except that it writes them in hebrew, so you won't be able to answer unless you can decipher them!

I assume that you learned to read hebrew as part of the American course, but if not you'll need to find a Hebrew course, or else I have written a self-teaching, self-checking hebrew primer called 'Hebrew from Zero'.   Again you can get this on-line or we can send it to you for Au$20 plus postage, or if you get both books we will waive the postage charges.

Before the Bet Din you will also need a relationship with a congregation, and to have attended regular shabbat services as well as festivals, and in particular the main ones including Passover Seder and High Holydays.  You will need your own copy of our prayer book (Siddur) called Mishkan T'filah - World Union Edition. You will be able to get this from the congregation if you do not yet have one.  It costs $65.

I do apologise that this looks like a list of extra costs - that is not my intention and I have minimised the costs as much as possible.  What I am trying to do is to assist in completing your conversion by a recognised and reputable Bet Din in the shortest appropriate time frame.

You might also be interested to know that we hold a Shabbat weekend in December here in Melbourne, specially aimed for those going through the Introduction to Judaism course.

Please feel free to contact me with further questions. 

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

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 

What if my partner's family are orthodox?

Is there really much difference between Progressive Judaism and orthodox?

Dear Rabbi,
I have been married for 10 years. My wife is Jewish but I'm not. In the time we've been together I have become very interested and enjoyed the Jewish festivals and customs and foods - except for chulent (slow-cooked meat/bean stew!). Faith means a lot to me and I do want to convert. We want to start a family in the next few years and I would like to raise my children believing in something. Even though my wife is from an orthodox background they are not practising and I don't feel like I would fit in there.  So it seems that converting within Progressive Judaism would be much more appropriate to our lives and needs.

Rabbi Jonathan responds:

That sounds a sensible response, but you'll need to understand that some in the orthodox community, though not necessarily very (or at all) observant themselves, still consider themselves (and orthodoxy) superior to progressive Jews!

We even have a name for them - 'SONO' as in Strictly Orthodox - Non-Observant! (which is of course impossible!).

Let's try an unpack this further:  Many Jews in Australia (and UK, South Africa) are members - or at least their family were members - of orthodox synagogues.  They may consider themselves 'orthodox' - but, if they don't go to shul regularly, if they drive on shabbat, if they use money on shabbat, if they eat in regular (not exclusively kosher ones) restaurants, they are not orthodox - the best that they could argue is that they are 'selectively orthodox'!  Unless they believe that God dictated Torah to Moses, and it is therefore 'true', they are not orthodox.

My experience is that most members of orthodox synagogues believe in God as an inspirational power or support or solace in their lives, and that the Torah is not to be taken literally as God's word.  They may prefer a traditional service, all in hebrew, with no organ and only men leading and singing.  But they are not regular synagogue attenders, they will happily wear shorts or bathers or bikinis, and married women do not keep their heads, arms and ankles covered. In the rest of their lives they recognise that women have abilities at least equal to men, can be university professors or judges or surgeons, and that they can listen to a female singer without lusting after her (orthodoxy considers a woman's voice is her nakedness).  They may not always gather for Friday night, with full kiddush and Birkat Hamazon (grace after meals), and probably do not usually - or ever - conclude Shabbat with Havdalah on Saturday evening.  They probably believe that ethical behaviour is more important than rituals - and are probably proud of Israel's achievements, feel a connection and pride, but also concern with some of the challenges that Israel faces, not least from the part of the ultra-orthodox community who don't even recognise the State of Israel's authority.

In other words, in most regards, these members of orthodox synagogues have much more in common with Progressive Jews than with truly observant and serious orthodox Jews!

We really have some significantly different ideas from orthodoxy as you'll see in the second half of our reader 'Judaism for the Twenty-First Century'. Key differences are that a) We REJECT the idea that God wrote Torah - instead we believe humans wrote it, trying to answer the question 'What does God want us to be and do?  (which they inevitably answered for their own time and context, over 2500 years ago).

b) We REJECT the idea that the Temple should be rebuilt.  This would mean a return to animal sacrifices (which we don't believe God wants or needs), priests (we have done without them for 2000 years, and Rabbis, chosen for their wisdom and learning, have replaced them), and centralisation in Jerusalem (Judaism is today democratic and localised - wherever there are Jews, there is a Jewish community with its own leadership, interpretations and traditions). Of course it would also not go down too well with the Muslim world since the Dome of the Rock and Al Aksa Mosque now stand on the Temple Mount!

c) we believe in EQUALITY - that all are created equal - men and women, Jews and non-Jews, heterosexual, homosexual, gender-fluid... we all reflect 'the image of God' in our diversity.

d) We accept a child as Jewish if they have a Jewish mother OR a Jewish father - and a Jewish upbringing (reflecting biblical as well as Rabbinic periods of Jewish history).  This means YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONVERT. We'd love you to, and we'll help you, but it should be for your own reasons and conviction, not for any family reasons or pressures.

e) Our services are shorter and in English and Hebrew, and hopefully more accessible and understandable, and families sit together.

It is worth bearing in mind that, though we are a dynamic and active minority in Australia (http://upj.org.au/) Progressive Judaism is the largest grouping of synagogues in the world (http://wupj.org/).

However, because orthodoxy does not accept our Rabbis as Rabbis, it therefore does not accept those who convert with us as Jewish.  This means you will not be accepted as Jewish by the orthodox authorities - and, if you were female, they therefore wouldn't accept your children either.  You will inevitably therefore become involved in a power struggle! We believe we are legitimate, and indeed that we are part of the developing, progressing understanding of Judaism, the world and God's wishes for us within it.  The orthodox Rabbinic position is that only they are authoritative, and the guardians of true Judaism.  Of course if you look back 100, 1000, 2000 or 3000 years, it is quite apparent that Judaism - and indeed every religion, is changing and developing, in response to worldwide experiences and understanding, as filtered through its own traditions and scholarship, but this is not an argument anyone is going to win any time soon (within Judaism, Christianity, Islam or any other religious tradition.  They all have their orthodox and their progressives, but uniquely, we have a powerful Progressive Jewish movement, already 200 years old!).  

Because of these differences, it is important for you to have your partner's understanding and support - and hopefully also that of her family, though this may take time.

It is also useful if your own parents understand the process, if they are around, and they are always welcome to come along and visit a service with you at any time. Discuss and explain your rationale and the process with them if possible.  Remember that it may seem as if you are rejecting the faith they brought you up in (if any - or secularism or atheism!). 

Good luck!  L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

I spent time on kibbutz and would like to become Jewish but my husband is Christian

I am 29 years old and I was brought up in the Uniting Church but stopped believing a long time ago. My husband is an Anglican and we have a 2 year old son. I have read many books over the years on all sorts of topics including Judaism. I have previously spent many years in industry. I live in XXXX and have visited the nearby synagogue though I have not been to a synagogue on shabbat before. I have been interested in Judaism for many years and used to be a country member of the Makor Jewish library.  I can read a little hebrew and when i was 18 I stayed on a kibbutz in Israel for an adventure which had a lasting impression.

Hi Annie,

Thanks for your background information.  

Let me say from the outset though that the Introduction to Judaism course is not the same as converting.  The synagogue near you is Chabad - which means not just orthodox but very orthodox in their practice and belief. They will not recognise me as a Rabbi, or any of our converts as Jews.  The nearest regular Progressive synagogue can be located by visiting UPJ.org.au.  To convert you'd need to have established a relationship with a community who would recognise and support your journey.  You'd also need a 'Sponsoring Rabbi' (which could potentially be me as course supervisor) and learn to read hebrew, and if you were male you'd need to be circumcised.

You should also take any opportunity to go along to any synagogue, for example when you are travelling or on holiday, to widen your experiences - though it is advisable to contact them in advance during the week, and bring along a drivers licence or other proof of identity as, sadly, we all have to be very security-conscious these days.

When starting this journey, it is important to understand that, whilst our underlying belief in One unique, caring, loving, forgiving Creator, and our obligations to God and to each other as human beings, and to God's world, are common between orthodox and Progressive Judaism, in practice, expectation and belief we vary widely.  The difference goes a long way back, and stems from our understanding of Torah.  'Orthodox' belief is that God gave the Torah, word by word, and it is therefore fundamentally true and inerrant.

Progressive Jews (Reform, Liberal, Reconstructionist etc) believe that humans wrote the Torah, albeit 'divinely inspired' and trying to answer the questions 'What does God want of us? How should we act, behave, practice and raise our children?'

The last point, on raising children, is particularly pertinent in your case.  You say your husband is Anglican, but not whether he is practicing.  We have a problem in creating 'mixed families', in part because of the different traditions and expectations, and in part because of the confusion it can cause to children.  Whilst we wouldn't want to stand in the way of any individual developing their personal framework for life and relationship with God - and ultimately becoming Jewish - we would want to be confident that it was going to work for the household.   For example we may want to talk to your partner or at least have a letter to state that they are supportive of the journey to you becoming Jewish - and we'd want clarity about how the children are to be brought up - will it be as Jews, who know they have a Jewish parent and a Christian one, or as Anglicans who know they have a Jewish parent and a Christian one, or as 'both', so they can 'choose for themselves' (we don't think the latter is really likely or even possible).  

I hope that these responses are helpful and informative, and will no doubt give you food for further thought.  However, I'd like to conclude by reiterating that we believe Progressive Judaism offers a rich and wonderful framework for a modern and meaningful spiritual life, and we'll do all we can to assist if you do wish to continue on this path.

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan 

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