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News & Views of Reform Jews
ACTION Encouraging Conversion
While it might seem an unlikely setting for an influx of new Jews, Temple Beth Shalom in San Juan,
Puerto Rico (www.tbspr.org) has been averaging six conversions a year.
Years ago, Rabbi Laurence Rubinstein (photo #1 from previous page) noticed that many non-Jews
were congregating at the synagogue. To engage them, he began to offer Introduction to Judaism, a 16–20
week Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) program that provides the fundamentals of Jewish thought and
practice (and is now available, through community partnerships, in 14 U.S. states; for more information
visit urj.org/learning/classes/intro/). Held after services each Saturday, the San Juan class became
popular, attracting about 80 locals. Gradually, some of the attendees expressed interest in formally
converting to Judaism.
A number of Beth Shalom’s converts believe their families are descendants of conversos, Jews in
Spain forced to convert to Christianity during the Inquisition who maintained Jewish practices in
secret, such as lighting candles on Friday night or saying blessings before eating.
What brings these and other potential Jews to Judaism? “They are searching, whether they know it or
not,” says Rabbi Jeffrey Sirkman of Larchmont Temple in Larchmont, New York (www.larch
monttemple.org), where about seven people convert to Judaism each year. What encourages them, he says,
is the feeling of being part of a congregation “where every person has a place, where diversity is embraced,
and where each story is affirmed.” Helping to foster those connections is the congregation’s Schindler
Outreach Fellow, Andi Rosenthal (photo #2), a lay leader and Jew-by-choice who has been specially
trained by the Union for Reform Judaism to support those on the path to Judaism. Potential converts
easily relate to her because she had voiced many of their questions, doubts, and hopes during her own
conversion experience. Today, Rabbi Sirkman says, Rosenthal reads Torah on her father’s yarhzeit,
leads shiva minyanim, and “helps model the…impact every Jew can have.”
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At Temple Emanu-El in Dallas (www.tedallas.org), some 25 to 30 people convert to Judaism every year.
Most conversion inquiries come from the temple’s website. “When you Google ‘Jewish conversion’ and
‘Dallas,’” says Diana Einstein (photo #3), Temple Emanu-El’s Outreach Director, “the congregation comes
up near the top.” Links to “conversion,” “outreach programs,” and “interfaith families” appear on the
homepage, enabling potential converts to gather useful information—study requirements, resources, and
personal statements from congregants who have journeyed to Judaism.
For those who are ready to take the next step, a “highly structured” and “personal” conversion process
follows, so that “conversion candidates feel comfortable being part of the temple community,” Einstein
says. Emanu-El matches up each conversion candidate with a trained mentor who shares some of the
person’s other interests, such as cooking or bicycling. Mentors not only shepherd the candidate through
the conversion process, but serve as teachers, explaining, for example, how to use the temple’s siddur
(prayer book).
Jews-by-choice Bunny and Kevin Cotten became involved with Temple Emanu-El through friends.
Though neither had any prior formal Jewish connection, their strong interest in Judaism prompted them
to enroll in two temple-sponsored courses: “Stepping Stones to Jewish Knowledge” (largely developed by
URJ Outreach and Membership Commission leader Rabbi Stephen Foster), which addresses basic Jewish
topics including home, community, history, literature, and faith; and “Introduction to Judaism,” which
provides opportunities to reflect on personal issues, such as feeling closer to God and creating a Jewish
family. The courses “were very well done,” Bunny says, and “the staff and lay leaders were always
available to answer questions.” As the couple continued on the conversion path, she says, “We enjoyed
every step of the process, but mostly the one-on-one time with Rabbi Asher Knight.”
When the Cottens had to reschedule their conversion because their newborn son Graham arrived six
weeks early, the process progressed from “a couple’s journey into a family’s journey,” Bunny says.”
Several months later, Bunny, Kevin, and Graham visited the mikveh together as the culmination of their
Jewish journey. Today, Graham attends the congregation’s pre-school; Kevin, who chose the Hebrew name
“Asher” in honor of his rabbi and friend, serves on the Outreach Committee; and Bunny chairs its New
Member Subcommittee, allowing her “to give back to a place that has given me so much.”
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At Temple Beth El in Hillsborough, New Jersey (www.bethel.urj.net), where five to ten people become
Jews each year, Outreach and conversion are viewed in a holistic way, says Rabbi Arnold S. Gluck (photo
#4). We “consider every way the intermarried family and the non-Jew can come into contact with the
congregation,” he says, “and make sure the message and spirit are welcoming and encouraging without
being pushy.” The congregation involves non-Jewish parents in b’nai mitzvah study, incorporates
conversion ceremonies into Shabbat services, and regularly offers the courses “Introduction to Judaism”
and “A Taste of Judaism…Are You Curious?” (a free three-session URJ introductory class offered around
the country, often sponsored by Union grants to a single congregation or a group of synagogues
partnering
in a city; for more information visit curiousaboutjudaism.org/). Although Rabbi Gluck concedes that
these endeavors demand a lot of his time, the investment, he says, “pays big dividends on many levels.”
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At Temple Emanuel of Tempe, Arizona (emanueloftempe.org), “We don’t encourage conversion, per
se,” says Rabbi Andrew Straus (photo #5). “A lot of unchurched Americans are looking for a place, and
seekers knock on our door. We have a really good product, and we’re proud to share what we have. Up
to 20 ethnically diverse Jews-by-choice, including Hispanics who have discovered that they are CryptoJews and lesbians involved in interfaith relationships, join us each year. We are enriched by them as
they are enriched by us.”
Rabbi Straus always meets with the people who call to discuss their interest in conversion. He
encourages those who wish to go further to attend services, where the temple makes a special effort to
connect them with other worshipers; to enjoy Shabbat dinners in congregants’ homes; and to participate
in a mentoring program that matches them with members on the basis of age, children, shared interests
(when possible), and other factors.
Those who become conversion
candidates are invited to attend “New Beginnings.” This unique series of workshops and learning
experiences, team-taught by clergy and trained lay leaders, engages potential converts in hands-on
activities—such as lighting Shabbat candles, making challah, and visiting a Jewish bookstore—that
facilitate their “becoming more involved in the life of the Jewish community,” Rabbi Straus says. Once
they’ve converted, they receive further support by continuing in “New Beginnings” for another six months,
selecting the activities and sessions that are most meaningful to them.
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“Reform congregations have a real opportunity to be proactive,” says Rabbi Zachary Shapiro (photo
#6) of Temple Akiba (templeakiba.net) in Culver City, California, who takes to heart the “bold vision of
Outreach” pioneered by former URJ President Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, z’l. Rabbi Shapiro simply and
directly asks those in relationships with Jews whether they’ve thought about conversion. “When I sit with
couples [planning a simcha], I’ll ask the non-Jewish partner: ‘Have you considered becoming Jewish?’ Once
in a while, someone will respond, ‘I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, but I was never able to
make the first step.’” Rabbi Shapiro likens the relationship between the community and potential Jews-bychoice to that of the ancient Israelites during the exodus. “First, the Sea of Reeds had to open in order for
us to enter. Then the Jews had to move forward for the Sea of Reeds to welcome them in. In the same way,
individuals interested in Judaism need to take a step forward, and the Jewish community needs to
embrace those people waiting at the edge.”
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Congregation Beth Israel of San Diego (www.cbisd.org), which attracts 15 to 20 conversion
candidates annually, uses website language that “invites newcomers to choose our programs for
themselves,” says Bonnie Graff (photo #7), the congregation’s program director. “‘Outreach’ implies
something we do to others,” she says, so “we say our programming is designed for ‘those who are
curious about Judaism, returning to Judaism, converting to Judaism, raising Jewish children, or sharing
Judaism with loved ones.’” Complementing this language are “photos that represent the full spectrum of
Jews at CBI and in the Jewish world, including interracial, mixed ethnicity, LGBT, and non-traditional
looking Jews.”
CBI continues this “wide tent” approach during the conversion process. Recognizing that “people
come to the process with different intellectual interests and ‘vigor,’” Graff says, “the clergy tailor the
readings and topics to each candidate based on age, interests, and intellectual capacity.” The
congregation also asks and makes sure to understand what motivates each decision, Graff says, to ensure
not only that an individual is converting for the right reasons, but that he or she is being supported
throughout the process.
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The Union for Reform Judaism offers an array of resources to support congregations in welcoming and
integrating those new to Judaism. The Belin Outreach and Membership Awards
(urj.org//cong/outreach/belin/index.cfm?) recognize outstanding Reform synagogue programming that
invites and supports conversion. A program bank of additional conversion resources is available at
urj.org/cong/outreach/programs. And the biannual Alexander Schindler Fellows Program for Conversion
Certification (next offered in 2011) trains synagogue lay leaders to work in partnership with their clergy
to counsel, support, and welcome prospective Jews into the community. For more information, contact
Vicky Farhi, the Union’s Lead Outreach Specialist, at [email protected] or 212-650-4247.
—Jane E. Herman (JanetheWriter
at rj.org), writer and assistant to Union for Reform Judaism President
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie; and Vicky Farhi,
URJ Lead Outreach Specialist
JEWS-BY-CHOICE BUNNY, GRAHAM, AND KEVIN COTTEN AT THE PRESCHOOL CARNIVAL RUN BY TEMPLE EMANU-EL, DALLAS, SPRING 2010.
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