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

Mother with young children

The names and details have been changed to protect the identity of the writer:

Dear Rabbi Jonathan,

I am writing to introduce myself to you, and to enquire as to the possibility, due to my circumstances, of participating in the online 'Introduction to Judaism' course which you offer.

My name is Julie.  Originally from NSW, I have lived here in this city for nine years now.  I have three beautiful children, my daughter, aged 4 years, and twin sons, who are almost 12 months old.  They are the lights of my life.  We are regulars at the local Progressive Congregation, and have been for all of the children’s lives.  We have always been made to feel very welcome by everyone at the congregation, and have met some wonderful people who have since become dear friends at our monthly Kinder Shabbat meetings, and at the weekly Parents' Group.

Whilst there is Jewish blood on my father's mother's side of the family, and despite the fact that my dad lived with his Jewish relatives in the UK before he was married, he was not raised in a Jewish home, and neither was I.  My mother is a non-practicing Catholic, and my parents were not religious.  However, I did grow up with great Jewish food, stories of our Jewish family, and a love of the Jewish people and homeland.  I have had an affinity with Judaism for as long as I can remember.

In raising my own children, and possibly more particularly because I am a single-mother-by-choice with no extended family here in Australia, perhaps the greatest desire I have for my children is that they grow up with a sound ethical and spiritual foundation, a sense of identity and belonging to something bigger than just the four of us, and the security and warmth of not just a loving family, but of a whole community of people of whom they are a part.  I also wish to instill in them a hope for the future, faith in the inherent goodness of people, and the belief that we can all make this world a better place.  I have found all of the above possible in the context of Progressive Judaism, and, I believe, a home for us here at this congregation.

So, for some time now, I have had the desire to convert, both for myself and for my children.  Having no resident Rabbi, I initially approached the office at the congregation with this desire, but the only conversion class they offer is a night class, which I am unable to attend.  I thought there was no solution to my dilemma.  I am very keen to formally convert whilst my children are still young, as to all intents and purposes, we are living a Jewish life, they are being raised as Jewish children in an observant Jewish home, and I wish to be able to tell them, "We do this because we are Jewish", without batting an eyelid. I feel we are very much a part of the community here, and as my children get older, my desire is for them to attend the Religion School each week with their friends, and for us to be able to participate in services and events as full members of the congregation.

Still, the issue for me is that I am unable to attend our conversion class.  I simply have to be home to put my children to bed, and will have to for years to come!  In the meantime, I have been continuing my own personal Jewish education here at home, increasing our level of observance as my knowledge increases, and according to my convictions. I am slowly building up a library of great Jewish books here; the more I learn, the more I want to learn!

Whilst visiting the TBI website yesterday to again peruse their booklist, I noticed for the first time that an online/distance education course does exist in Australia!  I wasn't aware of this, but for months have been thinking, "If only one existed..".  And so I called TBI this morning, who referred me to you, and hence this long-winded email to you, Rabbi Jonathan - please forgive my wordiness! - to ask if it would be at all possible for me to undertake your Introduction to Judaism class by distance, in order to finally be able to formally convert to the faith we are living?

I thank you very much indeed, for your time and assistance in this matter.

RABBI JONATHAN’S RESPONSE:

Dear Julie,

The first thing I should say is 'thank you so much for persevering'.  And the second is 'welcome, you have hopefully come to the right place in the end'.  I am so sorry that for some reason it took so long to discover the existence of this course.  It has been running for about three years, under the auspices of Progressive Judaism Victoria, but with students across Australia (and beyond), and we hope that in due course it will be promoted by the Union for Progressive Judaism, at which point local congregations should hopefully become more aware of it!

Progressive Judaism, as you have discovered, is a wonderful framework for a spiritual and fulfilling modern life.  I am proud to hear what you write about your local Progressive congregation, one which I have visited several times, most recently with my family when I led the sevice there recently.

We would be very pleased to immediately get you under way. There are two free introductory sessions which you should start with - you will find them at http://pjv.org.au/education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course#overlay-context=education/introduction-judaism-course-online-course 

Hopefully that will be self-explanatory.

Your tutor will initially be my wife Sue.  She is already looking forward to looking at your two introductory sessions and to working with you as you formalise what is clearly already a good feeling for and connection with Jewish knowledge and belief.

As I'm sure you know, on Thursday and Friday we look forward to shabbat and so wish each other:

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Jonathan

An older member reflects on our services

I do enjoy the philosophical and moral intricacies of the

Torah readings and always find the services take me back to my roots and are

part of my spirit.  I had quite a religious childhood... 

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