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
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News Marry a Jew and You’re One of Us
Millennia ago, before rabbis existed or conversion was invented, thousands who were not born Jewish became part of the Jewish community through a very simple act: They married a Jew. Sarah was the first, followed in turn by Rebecca, Leah and Rachel. Thousands more followed — both biblical characters and many more whose lives as…
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Opinion The ‘Stranger’ at Your Passover Seder? That’s Me.
Illustration by Lior Zaltzman A week before my first Passover Seder, a friend took me to her local Chabad, where the rabbi outlined the ritual for us, from washing our hands to reading the Haggadah to eating the little sandwich. “You’ll do fine,” the rabbi said to me as I was leaving, which confused me…
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News When Grandpa’s Seder Is a Turn-Off
The Seesaw is a new kind of advice column in which a broad range of columnists will address the real life issues faced by interfaith couples and families. Read the discussion and vote below for what you think is the best response to this particular quandary. You can email your own questions, which will remain…
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Fast Forward Why Is Religious Pluralism Not Issue in Israel Vote?
(JTA) — A flyer published in late February declared that liberal Jews — whether liberal Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or otherwise — account for more than 600,000 Israelis. That many votes, the flyer said, could account for 10 seats in Knesset, a substantial party. The flyer’s message was clear: liberally religious Jews are a significant constituency…
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News Forward Editor Jane Eisner Wins David Twersky Award
The 2015 David Twersky Journalism Award has been awarded to Forward editor-in-chief Jane Eisner for a June editorial calling for an easing of the Jewish conversion process. The David Twersky Award, named for the former Forward editor and writer who died in 2010, is granted annually for one article published in the Forward or the…
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Fast Forward Israel Chief Rabbi Vows To Defy Conversion Law
One of Israel’s two chief rabbis said he would not recognize conversions performed by municipal rabbis despite a government directive validating them. A recording of Yitzhak Yosef vowing to block the conversions was published Wednesday on the website kikar.co.il. The Sephardic chief rabbi said he would withhold his signature, which is still required to complete…
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Fast Forward Christian Idaho Woman Converts Jewish Neighbor — by Attacking Her
A Boise, Idaho woman harassed and physically attacked a Jewish neighbor in order to convince her to convert to Christianity. Marguerite Haragan, 58, harassed the Jewish woman identified in a court hearing on Feb. 12 as AG first by phone calls and then by showing up at her home in Ada County. Haragan, 58, has…
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Forward 50 2014 Barry Freundel
It’s hard to imagine a more disturbing violation of a sacred Jewish space than the one of which Orthodox rabbi Barry Freundel is accused. In late September, someone saw the 62-year-old Washington, D.C., rabbi plug in a clock in his synagogue’s mikveh. The clock was spotted again on October 12, and synagogue officials gave the…
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