CONVERSION TO JUDAISM
Temple Beth Sholom*
Approved by TBS Board of Directors 5/17/2010
*Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, Michigan is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
Conversion to Judaism is a challenging and powerful process. While it requires strong dedication and soul-searching, the results are extraordinary. As Lydia Kukoff, herself a Jew-by-choice, writes, “Those who choose Judaism are witness to the beauty and value of Jewish tradition.”
Conversion follows a period of preparation that varies with the individual’s pace of learning and the supervising ordained rabbi’s requirements. You should expect to spend a couple of years preparing. During this period, the prospective convert studies Judaism, participates in the life of the synagogue and the Jewish community, and develops and deepens his or her personal commitment to and relationship with God, Torah and the Jewish people.
- Because TBS does not have an ordained rabbi on staff, your actual conversion cannot be completed by this congregation.
- TBS will attempt to provide you with a list of ordained rabbis who have agreed to talk with potential converts about overseeing their conversion process.
- TBS will help you prepare to meet the requirements of an ordained rabbi who agrees to supervise your individual conversion process.
Temple Beth Sholom is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism. The rabbinical student who serves our congregation is studying to be a Reform rabbi. All instruction you receive from our congregation and our rabbinical student will be in keeping with the tenets of the Reform Movement. These may not meet the requirements for conversion according to the tenets of Orthodoxy.
Conversion at TBS includes the following:
1. Introduction to Judaism Class. The content of this class is endorsed by the Union for Reform Judaism. It is a prerequisite to more in-depth study for conversion. This class includes a survey of basic Judaism and Hebrew.
2. Personal Reflections and Study. Conversion students will meet either privately or in small groups with the rabbinical student. Prospective converts must be flexible about scheduling. The rabbinical student has many responsibilities and limited time during each visit. These sessions will examine personal issues facing potential converts as well as a detailed study of Jewish thought and practice. As part of this program, students will complete a self-study guide of 78 questions and read books from the required reading list.
3. Jewish Living. The prospective convert begins to see the world through Jewish eyes. This includes celebration of Shabbat and holidays, attendance at worship services, observance of Mitzvoth, and participation in the community. The rabbinical studentwill help each conversion student with a personal plan for Jewish living.
4. Gemilut Chasidim. Each student will engage in ongoing acts of loving kindness, helping to repair the world. Each student will choose one or two specific mitzvah projects in the community.
5. Conversion Ceremony. As each candidate prepares for conversion, the supervising ordained rabbi and the candidate will discuss participation in the mikvah (ritual immersion) and for men, the ritual of milah (circumcision) or hatafat dam brit (drawing a drop of blood). Each candidate will also write a personal statement to be read at the conversion ceremony.
6. Becoming a Member of TBS. Unless previous arrangements have been made with the TBS board and another congregation, each candidate agrees to become part ofthe TBScommunity upon completion of conversion by joining the synagogue.
CONVERSION COURSE
Temple Beth Sholom*
Course of study includes the following:
1. Attend at least six study sessions with the rabbinical student. These sessions with the rabbinical student generallybegin after completion of a certified Introduction to Judaism Class.
2. Schedule at least one private meeting with rabbinical student for you and your significant other—if applicable.
3. Keep journal entries, as directed by rabbinical student and/or supervising ordained rabbi, and be prepared to discuss with rabbinical student and/or supervising ordained rabbi.
4. Complete “78 Questions for Gerut” and submit to rabbinical student in a timely manner.
5. Read one Jewish book outside of required material. A list of options may be made available on request.
6. Attend congregational Torah study at least once per month.
7. Attend at least half of the worship services scheduled at Temple Beth Sholom during your period of preparation for conversion. Services at another synagogue may be substituted with approval of the TBS Education Director.
8. Join in Jewish holiday celebrations.
9. Engage in ongoing acts of tikkun olam (social action).
10. Work with an assigned TBS chaver (buddy) who will introduce you to Temple Beth Sholom and community.
11. Write your “spiritual autobiography” prior to conversion, to be shared with rabbinical student, supervising ordained rabbi and Beit Din (witnesses).
12. In consultation with supervising ordained rabbi, participate in gerut (conversion) rituals including mikvah, and milah or hatafat dam brit.
Accomplishments expected prior to conversion include:
1. General knowledge—Basic Jewish History, Torah, Holidays and Life Cycle Events
2. Language—Recognition of Hebrew letters, vowels, and a few major roots common in prayer
3. Liturgy—Ability to read/chant in Hebrew:
A. Sabbath blessings for the Home
B. Sh’ma
C. Bar’chu
D. Torah blessings
~Adapted from Conversion Candidate Handbook developed by Rabbi Peter Berg~
*Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, Michigan is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
78 Questions for Gerut
Temple Beth Sholom*
SHABBAT AND HOLIDAYS
1. Why do we celebrate Shabbat?
2. How does a Jewish family observe the Sabbath at home?
3. Identify these terms related to Shabbat:
Kiddush:
Ha-Motzi:.
Challah:
Havdala:
4. How does the Jewish calendar differ from the civil calendar?
5. What is the current Jewish year?
6. List the months of the Jewish year and the holidays that occur in each month.
7. What is Rosh Chodesh?
8. What is the significance of the 40 days beginning on the 1st of Elul and ending with Yom Kippur?
9. What is the meaning of Rosh ha-Shana? When does Rosh ha-Shana occur?
10. What are the three main themes of the Rosh ha-Shanah liturgy?
11. When is the shofar blown? What does it symbolize?
12. Describe the Jewish concept of Teshuva.
13. What is the meaning of Yom Kippur?,
14. What are the five traditional “afflictions” of Yom Kippur? What is the purpose of these afflictions?
15. How does the Jewish concept of sin differ from Christian concepts of sin?
16. What is the meaning of Sukkot and how is it celebrated?
17. What are the “four species” used on Sukkot, and what do they represent?
18. What is Simchat Torah and how is it celebrated?
19. Describe briefly the historical events commemorated at Hanukkah.
20. What does a Hanukkah Menorah (Hanukkiah) symbolize?
21. Should Jews have a Christmas tree in their home? Why or why not?
22. What is Tu BiShevat and how is it celebrated?.
23. What is the meaning of Purim? How is it celebrated?
24. Identify these terms related to Purim:
Hamantashen:
Megillah:
25. Name and explain the four main Mitzvot of Purim.
26. What is the meaning of Pesach?
27. Identify these terms as related to Pesach:
Seder:
Haggadah:
Four Questions:
Chametz:
“Kosher for Passover”:
28. What ritual foods do we put on the Seder Plate?
29. What is the significance of the holiday of Shavuot and how is it celebrated?
30. Identify these Jewish holidays/observances:
Yom ha-Shoah:
Yom ha-Zikaron:
Yom ha-Atzma’ut:
Yom Yerushalayim:
Counting the Omer:
Tisha B’Av:
31. What holiday have you found most personally meaningful and why?
THE LIFETIME OF THE JEW
32. What is the significance of the Brit Milah? When is the Brit Milah held?
33. How might a baby girl be welcomed into the Jewish community?
34. Describe some of the varied customs involved in choosing a name for a child.
35. What is the significance of becoming a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah and how is the occasion celebrated?
36. What is confirmation?
37. Identify these terms related to marriage:
Chuppah:
Ketuba:
Sheva Brachot:
38. Describe the ring ceremony and the ring used in a Jewish wedding.
39. Identify these terms related to mourning:
Kri’a:
Shiva:
Sheloshim:
Kaddish:
Yahrzeit:
Yizkor:
40. Describe the process of converting to Judaism
THE JEWISH HOME
41. What is a Mezuzah? Where would you put one?
42. Describe briefly some of the major rules of Kashrut.
43. What do you think makes a house into a “Jewish home”? How is your home Jewish?
JEWISH WORSHIP
44. Identify these terms related to Jewish worship:
Siddur:
Machzor:
Minyan:
Aliyah:
Bimah:
45. What is the importance of the Sh'ma? When is it recited?
46. What is the Amidah? What other names is this section of prayer known by?
47. What is a Kippah? When is it worn?
48. What is a Tallit? When is it worn?
49. What are Tefillin?
50. How is a Sefer Torah (the Torah scroll) written? What measures are taken to honor the Sefer Torah? Where is the Sefer Torah kept?
51. What is a Bracha?
52. Give some examples of when we recite Brachot.
53. Which prayer in the Jewish liturgy do you personally find the most meaningful?
THE JEWISH BIBLE AND RABBINIC JUDAISM
54. What are the three sections of the Jewish Bible? What is the Hebrew name for each section? What is the Hebrew acronym for the Bible?
55. Why is the New Testament not included in the Jewish Bible?
56. Why do Jews refrain from calling the Jewish Bible the “Old Testament”?
57. What Bible story speaks most directly to you?
58. Identify these terms related to the Bible:
Parasha:
Haftarah:
Chumash:
Five Megillot:
59. Briefly contrast the traditional approach to the Bible with the modern approach. What are your beliefs about the Bible?
60. What is characteristic about the Jewish way of studying the Bible?
61. Identify these terms related to Jewish texts:
Midrash:
Mishna:
Talmud:
Halacha:
Aggadah:
Written Torah:
Oral Torah:
Responsa:
62. Discuss an issue that is a current controversy in Judaism? What are your feelings?
MODERN JEWISH HISTORY
63. What is Zionism? When did Zionism begin and who are some of its founders?
64. Why is the State of Israel so important to Jews today?
65. Discuss the origins of Anti-Semitism—both the concept and the term.
66. Why do you think Jews have been subjected to so much hatred over the years?
67. What is the most disturbing question the Holocaust raises for you?
68. What is Orthodox Judaism?
69. What is Conservative Judaism?
70. What is Reform Judaism?
71. What is Reconstructionist Judaism?
72. Why do many American Jews perceive their survival as threatened?
JEWISH BELIEFS
73. Describe briefly three significant Jewish beliefs about God:
God is One:
The “chosen people”:
God is ineffable:
74. Why do Jews not believe in Jesus?
75. What do Jews believe about salvation, life after death, and the Messiah?
76. What do Jews mean when they call themselves a “chosen people”? What do you think makes the Jewish people unique?
77. Why do some Jews find interfaith marriage so hard to accept?
78. Identify these terms related to social action:
Tikkun Olam:
Gemilut Chesed:
Tzedaka:
Bikur Cholim:
Pikuach Nefesh:
*Temple Beth Sholom, Ishpeming, Michigan is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
