Former Liberian Dictator Finds Judaism
Former Liberian dictator Charles Taylor has decided to convert to Judaism, one of his wives told the BBC.
Taylor, who is set to go on trial for war crimes in the Special Court for Sierra Leone, apparently discovered Judaism in prison in the Hague.
“He’s now a Jew. He’s practicing Judaism,” Victoria Taylor told BBC Radio June 2 after a three-week visit with her husband. “When he got to the Hague, he got to know that he really, really wanted to be a Jew, wanted to convert to Judaism.”
Victoria Taylor said her husband “does believe in Christ,” and that “he hasn’t rejected Christianity. He has always been a Christian. He just decided to become a Jew. He wants to follow the two religions.”
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
