Another happy camper!

Dear Rabbi Jonathan and Sue

Thank you both for your last lot of feedback and for guiding me so patiently through the entire course - It has taken me over 2 years and has been extremely interesting, thought provoking and useful:)

I hope to continue on with the local Rabbi and congregation to become Jewish in due course.

I promise we'll keep in touch

Kind Regards

Rabbi Jonathan responds:

Our pleasure.

I was in Adelaide today, chairing a Bet Din (Rabbinic Court) where three excellent candidates became 'new Jews'!  And the range of experience and insight and enthusiasm they bring to the community is fabulous.  However everyone brings something different - and none of them was bringing the youth and vitality (and new baby) that the two of you offer to a congregation!  So I wish you the best of luck on your journey, and look forward to hearing how you are getting on!

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

My husband is an Israeli, my father was Jewish and I want to convert

Hi Rabbi,

I'm just touching base to enquire about the process of conversion for an Australian female non-jew.  

I have had a long standing interest in the Jewish faith (my father was Jewish) and since I have married my Israeli husband 3 years ago- I have been following the practices, traditions and holidays- I also east kosher.  

I have always believed in G_d and am really wanting to take on the commitment of a conversion and further my relationship and life with G_d.  I currently live a Jewish lifestyle and believe strongly in everything that lifestyle stands for. I have visited the Holy Land and the holy city Jerusalem.  

This is not a decision I take lightly, I have been wanting to do this for years and I feel that I must make this commitment for myself, for my faith, for my family and for my community.

If you have any advice on how I can take this next step, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts.

Much appreciated,

Caroline

Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Dear Caroline

Thank you so much for your email.

You have not indicated where you live so I am unclear if you are in our area.  If you are, the best thing would be for you (and ideally your husband) to come and talk things through with me and I could take the opportunity to introduce you to the community centre we have here.

If you are not local, I can put you in touch with a more convenient colleague and community.  We have four congregations across Melbourne, as well as a school (the King David School, http://www.kds.vic.edu.au/), a Netzer (youth) group and various other associated organisations (Progressive Judaism Victoria, pjv.org.au).  Similarly we have communities in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Surfers Paradise, Central Coast and Brisbane as well as in New Zealand and Asia (upj.org.au).  We are a part of the largest congregational movement in the world, the World Union for Progressive Judaism (wupj.org) with over 1,200 congregations, representing more than 1.8 million members in 45 countries on six continents.

One of our most dynamic Progressive Jewish communities is in Israel.  You mention that your husband is Israeli, and we find that often Israelis outside of Israel (as well as inside) find it difficult to relate to traditional synagogue communities, but, when they discover Progressive Judaism with our ‘Centres for Judaism’, embracing education and culture and peoplehood as well as prayer in a meaningful and accessible way, they find it easier to become involved.

To address some points in your letter directly – you define yourself as a ‘non-Jew’ and you may be right – but you may not be!  Many people are not aware that in the spirit of equality that is one of the key planks of Progressive Judaism, we recognise someone as Jewish if they only have a Jewish father, just as if they only have a Jewish mother – if they have been brought up as a Jew.  We’d need to discuss this further.  It is possible, depending on your situation, that we could do some ‘top-up learning’ and present you to a Bet Din (Jewish Court) for a ‘confirmation of Jewish Status’, rather than Conversion.  Since, however, you define yourself as a ‘non-Jew’ then this is probably not the case for you.

We would be interested to know how you have been observing the ‘practices, traditions and holidays’ – has this included being part of a community, for example?  And how much have you learnt and understood about those aspects of Judaism so far?  When you say you eat kosher, there is an interesting conversation to be had about what that means to you, both in practical terms and in spiritual ones.

You say you have always believed in God, except you say G_d and I am unsure if you are simply being cautious in writing to a Rabbi, but I have no problem writing God – our tradition is cautious about ‘taking God’s name in vain’ but enquiring about Judaism and converting and belief is certainly not that!  I’d be pleased if people spent a bit more time talking about (and writing about) God in today’s world!  There are certain precautions about writing God’s name IN HEBREW – but ‘God’ is neither God’s name (which we don’t know how to pronounce anyway – it is made up of the four Hebrew letters YHVH, but when we see it, we say ‘Adonai’ instead), and nor is it in Hebrew (El or Elohim is Hebrew for God).  A belief in the universal creator and power of the Universe is important (though question and doubt is also part of the process).  More important is our understanding that humans are God’s ‘tools’ or ‘hands’ in healing the sick, feeding the hungry, welcoming the refugees, looking after God’s world – that we work in partnership (shutafut) with God to make the world better (Tikkun Olam).

You slightly puzzle me by talking about ‘The Holy Land’, having said your husband is Israeli.  Is this some sort of suggestion that you don’t accept the modern State of Israel (that is your choice – but most Jews today are very much in support of its right to exist in safety and security – and generally of the right of Palestinians to a safe and secure land alongside it).  The State of Israel, despite the challenges it has faced since the day it was established, has achieved remarkable things – and when peace finally comes, it will achieve many more in conjunction with its neighbours.

You did not mention whether or not you yet have children, though you talk of doing this not only for yourself but for your family.  Judaism is very much a family-oriented tradition, and it is very hard to do alone.  The synagogue community is like the ‘extended family’.  All in all, we have, in Progressive Judaism, a wonderful framework for spiritual life today – in what The King David School describes as ‘Modern, Thinking Judaism.

So I suggest that, if what I have written makes sense to you, you contact me again to either meet or for me to put you in touch with a colleague convenient to you.

L’shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

From: rabbi@lbc.org.au [mailto:rabbi@lbc.org.au]

Caution - read this if you are thinking of converting to Judaism

Caution.  Tread carefully!

It is a very big step to leave the culture and traditions of your family and upbringing – even if you don’t consider they were very strong and present – and family and friends may not understand or feel fully supportive of your decision.

It is a mistake to imagine that you can slip from one religion into another – Judaism – as if it is a change of clothes.  Though someone who has done the study and the intellectual work and attended synagogue and celebrated the cycle of the festivals over a year or more may be able to be accepted by a ‘Bet Din’ (Jewish court), and indeed may know more than someone born Jewish, the journey is really longer.  That is the equivalent of ‘taking off your Learner plates’.  It can take many years to be familiar with life cycle events like circumcisions, wedding and funerals, comfortable with the cycle of the year, with the smells and tastes and vocabulary.

Someone came up to me once and said ‘I converted thirteen years ago, I have raised two children, made Shabbat dinner and lit the candles every week, celebrated Pesach and Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah and Purim year in year out, fasted and reflected every Yom Kippur.  Now I feel I am leaving Jewish childhood – and I’d like to prepare to lead the service and read Torah – and celebrate my coming of age as a Jewish Adult by having a Bat-Mitzvah’.

What a great thing to do – she really got it!  But it took her 13 years.

The danger is that, if you have a life crisis – death of a parent or child, a serious illness, or loss of a partner or spouse or something else traumatic – before you realise you feel completely safe and comfortable and ‘at home’ in the Jewish community, you may want to go ‘back’ to what you grew up with – and find you are no longer at home or welcome there either.  In other words, by undertaking this journey, you risk entering a ‘nether-land’ for some years, and it is important to understand that this may become more significant and difficult than you realise at present.

I recently found a similar explanation, albeit warning Jews of the danger of leaving Judaism for Christianity, as explained by Mordecai in George Eliot’s last book, Daniel Deronda, in Chapter 42:

Can a fresh-made garment of citizenship weave itself straightway into the flesh and change the slow deposit of eighteen centuries? What is the citizenship of him who walks among a people he has no hardy kindred and fellowship with, and has lost the sense of brotherhood with his own race?

Good luck with your religious journey.

Rabbi Jonathan

Judaism on education

Excerpt from my Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon, 2013/5774

To have the best chance of success, we are certainly going to need to be well educated – and Judaism has much to say about learning and study.  The obligation to teach one's children is set forth in the instruction to celebrate seder: "You shall tell your child on that day, saying, 'It is because of what God did for me when I came out of Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:8) . In the first paragraph of the Sh’ma, which is traditionally said every evening and  morning, we say: “Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut 6:6-8).  Deuteronomy contains several other references to the duty to provide education: “Remember the days of old, consider the years of ages past; ask your father, he will inform you, your elders, they will tell you.” (Deut 32:7).  The Book of Proverbs also contains many verses related to education: “My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your mind retain my commandments; For they will bestow on you length of days, years of life and well-being.“ (Prov 3:1-2). 

We learn that Joshua ben Perachyah said: Provide for yourself a teacher and a study partner, and the sages said: Let the honor of your student be as dear to you as your own” (Pirkei Avot, 4:15).  It is hardly surprising that we place such emphasis on education: in my own family, my grandmother, father and wife are teachers!  And who did the government turn to, to review the Australian education system and its funding, but David Gonski, a member of The Emanuel Synagogue in Sydney!  Since both major parties have more or less agreed to these reforms, there may not be a major point of difference – personally I didn’t understand the rationale of cutting spending on universities to pay for improved school funding, but we will have to see what transpires, and hope that universities don’t pay the price.

I am 38, divorced and a non-practicing Catholic

Dear Rabbi, 

Thankyou so much for your detailed reply and information to my questions regarding the introduction course. I had a look last night at the introductory units and they seem very good. 
 
I just thought I should provide some basic information about myself. I am 38, and at the moment a non-practising Catholic. I recently got married and my wife is also very interested in the introduction course. Both she and I have previously been married (I hope this would not hinder a journey into the Jewish faith). I have always had a strong interest in religion and religious life in various aspects, and have read a large amount on various religions. I wrote a master's thesis on the image of Australian Muslims in the media back in 2008. I travelled to Israel some years ago (although I think this has very little to do with my interest in conversion), but it did introduce me to some historical and cultural elements. I now work in the caring professions, and am currently studying towards a higher degree, so I may be a little slow on certain aspects of the introductory to Judaism course, with fitting all my study/work in. But that said, I have always felt a slow steady journey provides a more stable outcome. The slower you go, the more you see.
 
I hope this email is ok, I just thought it appropriate to give you a little information about me. 
 
Thankyou again for your time, 

Jason


Rabbi Jonathan responded:

Dear Jason,

Thanks for the background.  To address your points in order: you would be amazed how many people who wish to become Jewish have a Catholic background!  I often wonder how many Jews there must be queuing to go in the opposite direction!  Today, we are less bound than ever to our family's tradition and upbringing - though its influence, familiarity and support should not be underestimated.  Life seems to offer us a 'Religious Supermarket', and you appear to have given some thought and attention to the religious choices on offer. But it is important to remember that it takes many years - sometimes a lifetime - to feel fully comfortable in a new religious framework and tradition, and there is nothing more sad and painful than to see someone who has rejected or cut themselves off from their own family faith and joined a new one, but, when faced with a life crisis, they discover that it has not really 'taken' and for whatever reason, they don't find the solace, support and acceptance in their new faith - but can also not turn back to their original one - and are stuck in an unsupported 'no man's land' (no-person's land doesn't really work there, does it?!).  When I was a very new Rabbi, a woman came to me and explained that she had converted thirteen years ago, had been celebrating shabbat and festivals, cooking for Pesach, fasting on Yom Kippur, and raised two children - and now she felt ready to celebrate her own 'bat-Mitzvah', as she realised she was finally becoming a 'Jewish adult'.  And of course, we were delighted to help.

In terms of divorce, Judaism has always recognised that people continue to grow and develop, sadly not always in harmony or in the same direction, and therefore, though sad, divorce has always been allowed and provided for. So there is no problem with the fact that you and your wife are both divorcees.

With regard to Israel, it is important to understand that our faith originated in that area and we have very strong ties, feelings and emotions connected to it.  Having said that, Judaism is a faith that can and does flourish and grow nearly anywhere in the world, including here in Australia!  The vast majority of Jews worldwide have strong links to Israel, and may well have family and friends living there, and may have visited and even spent significant time studying or living there.  Never the less, it is a tricky area - Israel's neighbours have not wanted her there even since before she was re-established in 1948, though we note and celebrate the long-standing peace agreements between Israel and Egypt and Israel and Jordan.  Whether the Palestinians were a real people in the past is a moot point - indeed I have seen films of Jewish settlers before 1948 saying 'We Palestinians have a lovely life here in the new Jewish city of Tel Aviv...' but there is little point in trying to argue the past, which we cannot change.  Today Israel and the Palestinians must find a way to live together for their own benefit and that of all the region.  I don't agree with all that the Australian government does, or the American, so there is no reason why I should agree with everything that every Israeli government does either - but that is democracy!  I absolutely believe in Israel's right to live in safety and security - and I absolutely believe in the Palestinian right to do the same.  The upshot is that to be a Jew in the world today, you need to have a relationship with the Jewish State - but it does not have to be an all positive or an all negative one - and for most Jews (should they wish to admit it), it is probably mixed - but there is undoubtedly and rightly great pride in what Israel has achieved, and also a deep understanding of the need to maintain a Jewish refuge and support for those in danger and need.

So I hope that addresses some of your questions - and perhaps opens up some more!

L'shalom  

Rabbi Jonathan

Can I bring a six year old and a new baby?

Details changed for confidentiality

Dear Rabbi,

I have recently downloaded the two free trial sessions of your online course and have been working through them over the past few weeks. I have had a growing interest in converting to Judaism for some time now. I have been avidly reading about Judaism and have had the joy of engaging in some Jewish festivals and events this year including Passover and a weekly Shabbat dinner with family and friends. I am contacting you as I am hoping to formally enroll in your online course and I was also hoping to be able to attend somewhere for the upcoming high holidays for the adults service but also for the children's service with my 5 year old daughter. 
I am due to have a baby shortly but I would love to talk with you either before or after the baby arrives to discuss further the conversion process and the next step in this exciting journey. 


Rabbi Jonathan responds:

First my apologies in not responding more speedily - for some reason I have only just come across your email, and the delay should by no means be interpreted as a lack of interest.  I do hope that the baby has arrived safe and sound by now!

You have not said where you are living but we do have Progressive congregations across the main cities of Australia and New Zealand which you can find at http://upj.org.au/ along with lots more information and links about Progressive Judaism.  If you would like tickets to attend at one of them at the High Holydays, please call the office of your nearest congregation and discuss it with them.  Do bear in mind that, sadly, Jewish communities do have certain well-founded security concerns and you may be asked to take identification etc.

Most will have children's services or activities that your child will be welcome to join in with, and many will have baby-change and other facilities should you take the baby as well - though children are welcome (they are our future!), we expect parents to keep an eye on them and remove them temporarily from services if they become a distraction please.

If you do go on to convert, and if you and your partner (you have not said if you have one) commit to bringing them up as Jews, then young children will be considered to be accepted when you are (unless your partner is already Jewish when they would be considered by us to be Jewish anyway - we require one Jewish parent - whether mother or father - and a Jewish upbringing to give Jewish status).  On this basis the children would be welcome to attend Religion School and other activities whilst you are undertaking the course and of course subsequently.

The Introduction to Judaism course is just that - on its own it is not a Conversion course, though it does make up one key component of that process, which also requires some familiarity with Hebrew, and a relationship with a Rabbi and congregation, as well as acceptance in due course by a Bet Din (Jewish court).

Once you finish the two introductory sessions, please send them to tutor1@pjv.org.au and we'll look over them and send you some feedback.

Feel free to contact me further with any other questions or queries you may have regarding commencing the course.

L'shalom

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