Download 1 For those Considering Conversion to Judaism A Guide for

For those Considering Conversion to Judaism
A Guide for Prospective Jews by Choice
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg,
Rabbi, Temple Beth Shalom, Long Beach
Judaism is an open religion, which accepts sincere converts. Judaism as taught
at Temple Beth Shalom is a religion that respects the seriousness and insights of other
faith traditions. Yet we recognize that a person coming from another background may
find in Judaism a spiritual and moral path that helps them come close to God. Although
we do not actively proselytize, we welcome individuals who wish to cast their lot with the
Jewish people and the Jewish way of life. Conversion to Judaism is an extremely
important life decision and requires much reflection, study, and practice.
The Foundation of Four Core Values
My approach to teaching conversion is to cultivate in the student four core Jewish
values that form the foundation of an intentional Jewish life. At the conclusion of
preparatory studies I hope that each of my students will become a
1. Ohev Tzedek-a lover of righteousness. I want you to discover Judaism’s
excellence in its moral teachings, commandments, and practice. These practices
according to the Talmud are the first things a convert to Judaism must learn.
Without them Judaism is meaningless.
2. Ohev Shabbat- a lover of Shabbat. I hope that you will come to love the mitzvah
(commandment) of the Jewish Sabbath and commit yourself go keeping it in
significant ways and with the people in your life.
3. Ohev Torah-a lover of Torah (Jewish teaching). I hope you will embrace the
Jewish love of learning which sees the Jewish scriptures and the generations of
commentary, story, and thought a source of enduring wisdom and insight.
4. Ohev Am Yisrael-a lover of the Jewish people. I seek to instill in you a love of the
Jewish people by coming to appreciate its unique history, language, land, and
people. I show in our studies how the love of the Jewish people must also lead to
a love of humanity and a dream of a better world.
These core values lead to others and most importantly to an encounter with God through
the sacred texts, ceremonies, and deeds of Judaism. That encounter is the most personal
dimension of this process and is different from person to person. I make time to explore
this dimension in mentoring sessions.
Informal and Formal Learning: Intimate Judaism
A religious tradition such as Judaism cannot be learned only in a classroom. Therefore,
every student is exposed regularly to the rich texture of Shabbat and Festival practice
including the sacred feasts, group Torah study, and home ritual. In this way the
prospective convert is exposed to a vibrant variety of Jewish experiences and meets new
Jewish friends that form a future basis of community.
At Temple Beth Shalom, we place great value on Jewish home practice and spirituality.
We guide students to a love of Shabbat in the home and the ability to lead the home
traditions and customs with confidence and spiritual intention. At the end of a year of
study my students can chant the Shabbat blessings and passages and are able to host
Shabbat and festival celebrations in their homes.
C:\Users\Public\Documents\People and Lifecycle\Lifecycle Materials\Conversion\Conversion Resources\2005 Conversion to
Judaism Info Sheet.doc
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The Decision to Convert
The decision to convert is an extremely important personal decision in one’s life.
Therefore, I ask each student to take at least a year of study prior to the formal
conversion. This enables each potential convert to experience the full cycle of the Jewish
year as well as to have the time to reflect on the material learned and the cascade of new
experiences that form a life lived as a Jew. A decision to convert involves severing
without guilt any link to one's past religion. It requires the steadfast courage to accept
Judaism despite the awareness of the role of anti-Semitism in Western history. While
every individual's synthesis of Jewish values and practices will be unique, one who elects
Judaism must affirm its basic beliefs, must live its traditional patterns, and must identify
with the dreams and destiny of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Dov Gartenberg
Temple Beth Shalom
[email protected] 562 426-6413 #202
www.tbslb.org
C:\Users\Public\Documents\People and Lifecycle\Lifecycle Materials\Conversion\Conversion Resources\2005 Conversion to
Judaism Info Sheet.doc
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