Converting has just felt like the most natural thing in the world for me. Conversations on being jewish gelbard, shmuel pinchas, judaism for the rite reasons. There are many reasons a person might consider conversion to judaism. Nov 10, 2016 hi, i was raised in an interfaith jewishchristian family, with a jewish father and christian mother. Grafstein, shlomo, judaisms bible volume i ganzfried, shlomo, code of jewish law kitzur shulchan aruch, translated by goldin, hyman who also authored the jew and his duties. The anecdotes about hillel and shammai in shabbat 31a indicate a strongly encouraging attitude towards converts, but the baraita below suggests caution. Recommended reading list of prospective converts under the auspices of the. Hello i was considering converting to judaism and im going to be studying theology next year with honours at the university in my current city but i hear that judaism doesnt believe christ died for our sins, they dont believe in worshipping him, they even call it. Did we miss a great book, or do you have feedback about one of the books we listed. It talks about the beliefs of judaism, as well as a little history. Mar 20, 20 messianic jew returns to orthodox judaism with harav amnon yitzchak shlita duration. Whether youre interested in the religion or the spirituality, the culture or the ethnic traditions, judaism for dummies explores the full spectrum of judaism, dipping into the mystical, meditative, and spiritual depth of the faith and the practice. Text or message me any questions and i will get back to you asap. When a gentile wants to become jewish, the rabbis are required to try to dissuade him.
This book, written by someone who converted to judaism herself, discusses conversion from a reform jewish perspective. Written by a noted expert on the conversion process, converts to judaism serves as a unique resource to people considering the. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone, especially those converting to and who are considering converting to judaism. A handbook for people converting to judaism and for their family and friends 1st pbk. I wanted to emphasize how correct michelle jones is in recommending rabbi joseph telushkins books. Choosing a jewish life created instant comfort and reassurance in all my doubts and questions about adopting judaism as my way of having a relationship with god. This audiobook will provide you with an excellent introduction to judaism as well as what to expect during your conversion process, including lots of great tips and pointers that will help along the way. It preceded islam in tracing its shared roots back to abraham, a patriarch of the. So you want to convert to judaism depending upon which jewish denomination your choose, you, my friend, may be in for a long and bumpy ride by. Converting to orthodox judaism is an intense and rigorous process. It was the first book my rabbi told me to read when i said i had some interest in converting to judaism. What every prospective convert to judaism needs to know. Much debate exists in our jewish community about the wisdom of devoting communal energy, staffing and resources to programs of outreach designed.
A handbook for people converting to judaism and for their family and friends. You should also brace yourself for a long struggle ahead of you, because converting to judaism is not a walk in the park. You can now explore my annotated conversion reading list and find out what postconversion judaica im reading now by. Married to a convert herself, anita diamant provides advice. What the talmud says about converts the jewish chronicle.
Highly recommend it to anyone converting or who knows a friend or family member who is pondering conversion. The movie was partially funded by an incubator grant from the union for reform judaism. This comprehensive book, infused by an attitude of welcome and understanding, will be useful to those who think of becoming jewish, and to their families on. I, also, recommend this book to the families of those who have recently converted and who are converting to judaism, as it will enlighten them about the new faith of their loved one. There are many reasons a person might consider conversion to. It preceded islam in tracing its shared roots back to abraham, a patriarch. Becoming jewish is, as you realize, a significant and lifechanging event. Rabbi lamm presents conversion from an orthodox jewish point of view.
New ebook on conversion to judaism religion news service. Only if there is a strong desire to know god and to serve him completely should one look to convert to judaism. Converting to judaism, how do i explain to family about. Judaism strives to impress upon us that we live in the presence of gd, and that all our activities should be viewed with this perspective.
Oct 21, 2014 so you want to convert to judaism depending upon which jewish denomination your choose, you, my friend, may be in for a long and bumpy ride by uriel heilman 21 october 2014, 1. Aug 07, 2018 converting to orthodox judaism is an intense and rigorous process. The book also contains effusive testimonials to weisss sensitive shepherding of these converts into the jewish community. Curiously, ruths declaration places joining the jewish people before affirming the god of israel.
I want to learn about judaism, and i know almost nothing. The book is occasionally a bit thickly worded, but the upside of that is that there is a good amount of detail for those who want to know the nutsandbolts. Hi, i was raised in an interfaith jewishchristian family, with a jewish father and christian mother. Conversion to judaism giyur is a process in which a person changes his current religion to judaism. Reviewed in the united states on february 23, 2016. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Kaplan, aryeh, the living torah alternative annotated translation of genesis. Up to onethird of orthodox converts and twothirds of conservative converts choose judaism for this reason, according to rabbis involved in conversion programs. What every prospective convert to judaism deserves to know. Jan 31, 2017 one who converts joins the jewish people, taking on the culture, history, traditions, and rituals of judaism as well as the faith of jewish religion. The process of converting to judaism part 4 youtube. Recently, ive made the decision to pursue a halachic conversion to judaism. But it was a very spiritually uplifiting experience, my close encounter with judaism, and this book was a profound part of that experience. In this warm and welcoming audiobook, youll find coverage of.
A handbook for people converting to judaism and for their family and friends offers a handholding guide. Judaism is among the seminal religions of the world, and is the first known monotheistic religion in which only one god is worshipped. This page may be offensive to secular or immoral individuals. Jan 07, 2020 this is part 4 of my story of how i converted to orthodox judaism, and it describes exactly the process and steps i had to go through. This raises the question of what metaphor we employ to understand conversion. Many questions most wouldbe converts may have concerning synagogue, rabbi, rules, and rituals were well anticipated. Conversion may be unnecessary if youre open to a reform wedding. Only the very sincere make it through the entire process. This special email series will guide you through everything you need to know, from deciding to convert, to studying for conversion, to what to expect when you convert, and more.
A handbook for people converting to judaism and for their family and friends by anita diamant. Conversion can be an arduous path and we would like to make it as easy as possible. Oct 04, 2016 one should not consider converting to judaism because it feels good emotionally. Nissim baruch black born damian jamohl black, american rapper and music producer, raised muslim but converted to christianity before converting to judaism avraham sinai, lebanese member of hezbollah who had an orthodox conversion and lives as a haredi jew in tsfat 86. Books our local rabbis have suggested for those seeking to convert. The book is written by a liberal movement rabbi she doesnt specify a movement, and shes very clear that she does not pressure anyone into converting. My top 10 jewish books to read when you are in a conversion process. Becoming a jew, by maurice lamm jonathan david, 1991. Choosing judaism, by lydia kukoff hippocrene books, 1981. Once a person converts he cannot go back on it but is obligated in the commandments of god. A guide to jewish observance in contemporary life feldman, emanuel, on judaism.
When i met rabbi asher, i told him i was interested in converting to judaism, and we began to meet regularly to discuss the classes i had taken, the classes i continued to take, as well as other, more general questions i had about judaism. This book helps make the conversion to judaism simpler. Read on your pc, mac, smart phone, tablet or kindle device. The decision to convert to judaism, to embrace all of its laws and customs, will affect virtually every aspect of your life. Judaism doesnt seek out potential converts like other religions do. One should not consider converting to judaism because it feels good emotionally. The book includes not only the story of warder cresson, who was put on trial for insanity after converting to judaism, but also famous celebrities who became jewish such as marilyn monroe and sammy davis, jr.
Messianic jew returns to orthodox judaism with harav amnon yitzchak shlita duration. If you are considering converting to judaism, then this book is for you. May 20, 2019 the book is written by a liberal movement rabbi she doesnt specify a movement, and shes very clear that she does not pressure anyone into converting. Men and women who are seeking sacred meaning in their. Converting to judaism, how do i explain to family about xmas.
Recommended reading for people considering conversion to judaism. Reform judaism permits interfaith marriages, though roughly half of all reform rabbis still abjure officiating at them. Artscroll or soncino chumash artscroll tanach or the koren jerusalem bible. It involves many lifestyle changes and about a year of studying.
Diamants book speaks to you like a friend and answers your questions in the most anita diamant makes judaism a home for jewsbychoice in her book choosing a jewish life. It involves intimate rituals, intimidating religious authorities, profound emotional transformation, and a fair amount of anxiety. Its a formal act undertaken by a nonjewish person who wishes to be recognized as a full member of a jewish community by a religious act and usually an expression of association with the jewish people and, sometimes, the land of israel. This is part 4 of my story of how i converted to orthodox judaism, and it describes exactly the process and steps i had to go through. There is only one nation that ever existed and that ever will exist that god has chosen as his nation and he commanded us to observe hundreds and or thousands of laws of his torah. But guys, she founded an organization called the washington institute for conversion and the study of judaism apparently it still exists. A complete guide to beliefs, customs and rituals updated in 2016 by george robinson. Oct 07, 2011 rewards, challenges of converting to judaism jennifer hanin grew up catholic, but a few years ago, she replaced her christmas tree, lights, ornaments and fake snowman with a menorah and shabbat. May 27, 2009 the anecdotes about hillel and shammai in shabbat 31a indicate a strongly encouraging attitude towards converts, but the baraita below suggests caution, perhaps necessary when converts to judaism. Rewards, challenges of converting to judaism jennifer hanin grew up catholic, but a few years ago, she replaced her christmas tree, lights, ornaments and fake snowman with a.