This is the Forward’s coverage of conversion, the process by which those of other faiths adopt Judaism. Most streams of Judaism, unlike many other religions, do not evangelize.
Conversion
The Latest
-
Opinion Why Conversion Lite Won’t Fix The Intermarriage Problem
In a recent essay in The Jewish Week titled “Mikveh Can Solve Conversion Problem”, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove presented a courageous attempt to address arguably the most pressing problem of 21st century American Jewry: intermarriage. Perhaps the most significant aspect of the problem of intermarriage is that for many Millennials, it is not a problem at…
-
Fast Forward Orthodox Rabbinical Council Appoints New Conversion Director
The Orthodox Union’s rabbinic arm has created a new position to help smooth the conversion process. The Rabbinical Council of America announced Monday that Abby Lerner will be the first National Director of Conversion Services. Lerner will “assume responsibility for the support of candidates in their conversion process,” according to an RCA statement. She will…
-
Life A Jewish Woman Finds Spiritual Meaning in Turning 40
I have something I have to admit, and like ripping off a Band-Aid, it’s probably best if I just come out with it: I – gulp! – turned 40 this year. Forty is the age when you are wise and mature and can learn Kabbalah, according to some sages. Or the age when you know…
-
News ‘Online Conversion’ Fulfills Spiritual Dreams — But Stirs Controversy
(JTA) — The morning of her conversion to Judaism, Diana Sewell was so nervous she “was running around like a headless chicken” in her Australia home. Meanwhile, some 9,000 miles away in Georgia, her rabbi was dealing with computer difficulties. Neither of those things put a stop to Sewell fulfilling a 60-something-year-old dream of converting…
-
Community Requiem for a Jewish Redneck
Visiting home in upstate New York on break from school, I hear my mother bellow from downstairs: “Lauren! Why is the puppy dragging around a menorah?” “Uh, no idea, Mom!” I reply. My heart drops. Sabre has stolen the menorah from my backpack and, in typical golden retriever fashion, begun parading it around. I take…
-
Opinion Ivanka Trump Gives the Israeli Rabbinate a Taste of Its Own Medicine
Being a convert to Orthodox Judaism in America is much like riding a roller coaster. The initial high many experience after completing a conversion in the mikveh is followed by an inevitable low. After uprooting and completely altering one’s life, converts reach the high of being told they will be loved and accepted by the…
-
Community How My Southern Baptist Minister Mother Explained Her First Christmas to My Orthodox Jewish Son
I am a Jew by choice, I was raised a Muslim, and my mother is an ordained Baptist minister. One might think that I would encounter religious conflict with my family on all fronts. In fact, people are often incredulous at the ease with which I can navigate through these three Abrahamic faiths. Perhaps, because…
-
Life From Secular Christianity To The Sukkah (But Watch Out For Bears)
When I was 12 I asked my mom to take me to church so I could learn about religion. I grew up in a secular Christian household. My religious upbringing was full of questions without answers and a sense that there must be something more out there. Though we celebrated secular Christmases and Easters at…
Explore
Most Popular
- 1
News ‘It’s the Jews’: San Diego mosque shooters decried ‘the universal enemy’ in hate-filled manifesto
- 2
Sports An op-ed compared an NBA team to Israel as underdog success stories. Then the threats poured in.
- 3
Music For Bob Dylan’s 85th birthday, an 85-minute playlist
- 4
News Mamdani’s first Jewish Heritage event reveals a narrowed circle
In Case You Missed It
-
Film & TV Woody Allen’s biggest fans were easy marks for a fake monologue about antisemitism
-
Fast Forward U.S. launches attacks on Iran as negotiations over a peace deal drag out
-
Fast Forward A stronger shekel has become a pressing problem for Americans building lives in Israel
-
Culture Garry Trudeau was a prep school kid from New England, but he identified with the Jewish outsider in ‘Doonesbury’