Welcome back!

Dear Rabbi,

My name is Tom James and I want to convert to Judaism.

I currently attend a Progressive Synagogue in a small town. I grew up in a Jewish household, with my moms boyfriend being from Israel and his three children being Jewish, and my mom also grew up in a Jewish household as her grandmother was Jewish and moved to Australia from France. I have had a very Jewish upbringing and am wanting to convert so I can be recognised by the Jewish community in my own right. I attended the synagogue with my family in Auckland and the local synagogue here with my girlfriend. I have visited Israel because I feel a deep connection with Judaism and because of this I really want to convert. I want to do a progressive conversion because I strongly believe in equality and I think that the progressive stance, women as equals, resonates with me strongly, as does relating the Torah to modern day life. I do believe that there are many timeless truths in the Torah that are very relevant today but also that some things that are not so relevant in this modern time.

I have talked to the on-line course tutor from the local synagogue and he is willing to sponsor me and support my participation in the conversion course. I realise that he is overseas for the next few weeks but I am willing to do the study on my own and ask from help from my family and girlfriend as well as email the tutor if I have any questions. I am very keen to do this conversion and I would very much appeciate it if you gave me the opportunity to study with him and do the conversion.

Hello Tom,

How lovely to get your email.

We are here to help and it sounds as if you have definitely arrived at the right place.

I am glad you have talked to the local tutor - you are lucky there is one there, as sometimes it all has to be done on line - and that he is happy to supervise your course.  For conversion, you require a Sponsoring Rabbi, and, with his recommendation, I expect that there would be no problem in me fulfilling that role (though of course it would be easier for all of us if there was a Rabbi locally for you!).

May I direct you to the blog I have which is at http://progressivejudaism.blogspot.com.au/ and which will help give you a fuller understanding of the process and the way we approach different situations.  

There are a number of things I need to know initially, so please get back to me on them, and then we can see the best way to proceed - and I should precede this by stating quite clearly that 

a) conversion takes a very minimum of a year as you need to experience and learn about the cycle of the Festivals as they occur, and a fair bit of work and commitment, and 

b) you need to understand that orthodox authorities will not accept our conversions (as they don't accept our Rabbis - at least until the Messianic times!).  In terms of Israel this leads to a surprising situation:

a) once converted, you would be able to go and live in Israel as a Jew and become a citizen (because this is not controlled by the orthodox, despite repeated attempts to do so), but 

b) once you are a citizen of Israel, you would not be recognised as Jewish for the purposes of marriage or burial (because these areas are controlled by the internal ministry, controlled by the orthodox!).

Our relationship with Israel - as with orthodoxy - was described in the title of a 2009 as film with Meryl Streep and Steve Martin: 'It's Complicated'.  It would be a bit of a comedy - if it wasn't so sad!

So I have a bit of a list that I need to know so we can move forward:

a) Was it your maternal or paternal grandmother who was Jewish (traditionally the Jewish line has gone through the mother for post-biblical Judaism)?

b) Are you living in the town with the Jewish community and expecting to stay there for the time being?

c) What do you do, and what and where have you studied up to now?

d) Do you have any children?
e) Is your girlfriend Jewish?  If so what is her knowledge level and background?  If not, what does she feel about your plans?

f) Have you done the two introductory free sessions found at http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course.  If not, please do them and submit them to the tutor on their return from overseas.

g) Have you been along to services and activities at the congregation?  If so, for how long - please tell me about some, and how you found them. 

h) You describe a 'very Jewish upbringing' - can you give me fuller details of what you mean by this?  For example, when were you in Auckland, how often did you and your family go, was there a Rabbi there (if so which?) and did you talk to him or her, and if so, what did they tell you?

I hope that hasn't put you off - it will certainly give you something to do whilst the tutor is away!  Might I suggest you save the questions until they return, and let them enjoy their travels overseas - we all get so inundated with emails it is difficult to get a holiday these days!

I look forward to hearing from you again.  I truly believe that Progressive Judaism is a wonderful framework for a modern, spiritual life, so once again I extend the warmest 'welcome' - actually, in your case, 'welcome back'!

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

JUSTIN Writes

I have visited the Progressive Judaism website recently and am very interested in undertaking the Online Introduction to Judaism Course. I live in ACT and I am a non-Jew. I wish to learn more about Judaism and if there is a natural fit for both parties, eventually work towards joining the Jewish people by converting. I am aware this is an involved process and requires total commitment.

To provide some context, I have been drawn to the Jewish faith and culture for some time now and have been quietly but actively engaging with Judaism through various means of research, observing significant events in the Jewish calendar and attending a service at the nearest synagogue for Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Memorial Day). I read the Progressive Judaism website closely and am very drawn to the progressive nature and philosophy. It has a very warm and welcome feel to it which I have been looking for as I have very much felt as an outsider and learning/understanding in isolation.

I am curious about the general, overarching pathway for someone in my situation including the Introduction to Judaism Course and its preparedness for the option of conversion.

Rabbi Jonathan answers:

Dear Justin,

So good to hear from you.  We believe that Progressive Judaism is a wonderful framework for a modern, intelligent spiritual life.  So I am very glad that you want to undertake some serious study about it.  The Progressive Judaism Victoria website is a useful starting point (pjv.org.au) where you'll find information about the on-line Introduction to Judaism course - and the Union for Progressive Judaism, our regional body, has a very well developed website at upj.org.au - I'm not sure which of those you looked at.

Of course Judaism is not only a subject of academic study but also a community and lifestyle to experience - or more accurately, communities and lifestyles, with plenty of variation across them.  We have just held a busy weekend at Leo Baeck - here is the program to give you an idea of what we covered:  

Friday 

6.30-7.00: Arrival and welcome

7.00-8.00: Soul Shabbat service to welcome Shabbat 

8.00-9.00: Shabbat Dinner, table songs, discussion about aspects of Shabbat

Saturday 

9.00-10.00: Study Group - an introduction to the service and Torah portion

10.00-12.00: Shabbat morning service

12.00-2.00: Kiddush and Chavurah lunch–meet members of LBC community

2.00-5.30: Free afternoon – or guided tour of the Jewish parts of Kew cemetery

5.30-7.00: Meet at Leo Baeck to walk to dinner at Vicki’s Italian restaurant – discussion about Israel issues.

7.00-10.00: Havdalah followed by movie: ‘The Gatekeepers’ and discussion after.

Sunday 

10.00-10.50: Choose one session: The Jewish Calendar or Blended families

10.50-11.05: Coffee break

11.05-12.00: Choose one session: Blended families or Jewish Belief and Ethic

12.00-12.30: Chill and chat

12.30-2.30: Relaxed community BBQ, Israeli dancing

2.30-4.00: Ask the Rabbis–your chance to ask a ‘Bet Din’ of Rabbis questions!

Rabbis Adam Stein, Aviva Kipen and Jonathan Keren-Black

We plan to hold a similar weekend in the future and those on the course will be informed in good time, and perhaps other communities will do something along the same lines.

To be clear, the Introduction to Judaism course is NOT a conversion course. It is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Judaism from a Progressive perspective.

However, for those who wish to convert, it may well be the best way to deliver the Jewish education required.  It is necessary to have a meeting with one of our Rabbis, who will be interested to hear the story and the journey, and will give guidance as to the best way forward.  The content of the Introduction to Judaism course does cover much of the academic knowledge required for conversion.

If, having completed the Introduction course successfully, a student decides they do wish to go on to convert, they can speak to a Rabbi at that time - there will be other requirements such as achieving a fluency with hebrew reading, and regular attendance at services and developing a relationship with a community, but the academic learning will have been largely covered.

I hope this is helpful and look forward to getting to know you better,

L'shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

Am I right that I can only convert if I am marrying a Jew?

Dear Rabbi,

Am I right that I can only convert if I am marrying a Jew?

Rabbi Jonathan answers:

ABSOLUTELY NOT!  We are delighted to welcome anyone who genuinely wishes to join the Jewish people

So no, not at all - on the contrary, it is really important to persuade the Bet Din (Rabbinic Court) that  you are converting for yourself - because you feel Jewish and ready to take on the traditions, obligations and expectations of a Jew.

Welcoming people to Judaism is one of the highlights of Rabbinic life - to hear the moving and varied stories of what brings intelligent adults to want to take on this framework for life.  I wish many people who are born as Jews and take it for granted could hear some of these amazing stories!

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.