For a few of you, the end of the Being Jewish series marks the beginning of your conversion to Judaism and a whole new framework for understanding your life.
Here is a brief FAQ to explain the different parts of the conversion and shed some light on what can feel very intimidating.
Before We Begin
While Jewish identity is cultural, it is also religious. As part of converting with Kehillah, and in line with standards in the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements of Judaism, you’ll be asked to agree to the following spiritual edicts:
- I am converting to Judaism by my own free will and volition, without coercion or undue external influence
- I renounce all beliefs I may once have held in any other religion.
- I accept the God of Israel as the one universal and indivisible God and I commit myself to observing the mitzvot of Judaism, as defined by Jewish law, to the best of my abilities and knowledge.
- I commit myself to the further study of Judaism and to continued growth in the observance of its mitzvot.
- If blessed with children, I pledge to raise them in the Jewish religion, by providing them with a quality Jewish education and timely involvement in Jewish life cycles and holidays
Please speak with Rabbi Patrick if any of this makes you feel uncomfortable or uncertain.
Additionally, cisgender men who are converting need to have either have a circumcision or in the case of a man who is already circumcised, a hatafat dam brit. Speak with Rabbi Patrick about what this involves.
For Interfaith Households To Consider
In some cases, a conversion to Judaism creates an interfaith household. Our policy is to support multifaith and multicultural households. However, converting to a new religion that others do not practice can have its tension points. For example: what if you want to light a hanukkiah, and your partner just wants the Christmas tree? What if Easter falls during Passover, and you cannot eat your family’s traditional bunny cake?
Like any healthy relationship, there are boundaries that people place as well as commitments to love and acceptance that lend itself to flexibility. This is another opportunity to work with Rabbi Patrick to think through what this looks like for you and your household, if it applies.
Remember, while you are the one converting, Judaism is a householder religion that can take over a space. It’s important to have conversations with those you consider to be part of your “home” about what that looks like.
Parts of a Conversion
There are three parts to discuss:
- Spiritual autobiography – a statement you write before the conversion
- Bet din – the Jewish clergy and lay people who help you convert
- Mikvah – the ritual bath
Spiritual Autobiography
Everyone who converts is asked to write a one-sheet spiritual autobiography. This is a way for the bet din to get to know you. You might want to mention what drew you to Judaism, your favorite Jewish holiday, the name of a person in the Bible or Torah that is significant to you, as well as why you chose your particular Hebrew name. If it helps, feel free to make your autobiography “answers” to these questions. Please email Rabbi Patrick your autobiography a few days before the bet din and mikvah.
Bet Din
The bet din is made up of two to three Jewish clergy spanning the spectrum of religious identity. These people are here to get to know you, to help you think about your Jewish identity, to act in a way as Jewish role models, and to learn what Judaism and Jewish life means to you. Do not be intimidated! The bet din is warm, inviting, and often a little kooky.
The bet in usually takes one hour and is officiated before mikvah. During COVID-19, this may change, with the bet din taking place over Whereby.com. Rabbi Patrick will coordinate all this for you.
You are welcome to bring family/friends with you to the bet din and mikvah.
Once the bet din is over, you will sign a series of certificates that honor the day, much like a marriage certificate. There will also be a file kept at Temple Beth El with the date of your conversion, should you ever need it.
Mikvah
With a few small exceptions, everything you need to know about the mikvah at Temple Beth El can be found on their website.
The following are the blessings you need to know, and the procedure for the mikvah. We will reteach you this before mikvah, so don’t panic about memorizing anything other than the blessings themselves. The rabbi or mikvah attendant (who is on your bet din) will help you with this.
You only need to say the blessings in Hebrew, not in English, but they are there for your reference.
ENTER MIKVEH, TAKE DEEP BREATH, IMMERSE COMPLETELY AND REMAIN UNDER WATER FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THEN COME UP.
The rabbi/attendant will say “kosher”.
THEN SAY THIS BLESSING:
Baruch ata adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam asher kid-shanu b’mitzvo-tav v’tzi-vanu al ha-tevilah.
Blessed are You, Adonai, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with mitzvot and commanded us concerning immersion.
DUNK A SECOND TIME!
The rabbi/attendant will say “kosher”.
THEN SAY THIS BLESSING:
Baruch ata adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam she-heche-yanu, ve-ki-y’manu, ve-higi-yanu la-z’man ha-zeh.
Blessed are You, Source of all Life, Who has kept us alive and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this day.
DUNK A THIRD TIME. RISE UP.
The rabbi/attendant will say “kosher”.
SAY THE SHEMA
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ, יְיָ אֶחָֽד
Sh’ma Yisrael, Adonay Eloheynu, Adonay ekhad.
Hear, oh Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One!
Here is a video that can help you.