conversion

JewsByChoice.org Roundup – May 2011/Iyar 5771.

There are several interesting recent developments on the JBC.org site. Here are some highlights for May 2011/Iyar5771: Forum One conversation of special note is the “Why did you convert?” thread in the Conversion group. Several site regulars are or will be sharing the reasons they decided to become Jewish or to start the conversion process. Whether you are a Jew, are studying with a rabbi, or just interested in Judaism, you will find the various stories shared interesting. In the … [Read more…]

JBC Talk Ep 2 Part 2: Rabbis 101- An Interview With Rabbi Adam Kligfeld

Note: This is the second truncated (yet still long!) part of the original Episode 2 recording. Why is that?, you might be wondering. Despite our going into this episode with the intention of keeping things short, it ended up running nearly two hours.  So we have decided to split Episode 2 into two, separate podcasts which will air (well you know, go live!) a week apart. As a result, there are a few breaks in continuity.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Podcast … [Read more…]

Doing Jewish: More Than Faith

D’var Torah for Parashat Mishpatim 24th of Sh’vat, 5771 Although this parashah is called “Mishpatim”, “laws” in Hebrew, and lists lots of mitzvot, I want to focus not on the laws, but on two verses found toward the end of the parashah which are very similar and which reminded me of a personal experience. Note that it is always considered significant when an idea is repeated in the Torah. The first is the second part of (Exodus) Chapter 24, verse 3: …וַיַּעַן … [Read more…]

Rabbi Chaya: My journey to Judaism

My journey to Judaism began when I was 16 years old. At that time, I was a practicing Methodist and I was very involved in my church. I was a member of the youth group and the choir, attended Sunday school and worship services every week, and volunteered to work every fundraiser. One of the songs I used to sing in the choir was an old time gospel entitled, “Yes I Know.”     Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free; For He saved the worst among … [Read more…]

JBC News of Interest – 02/23/11

Hi all, Sorry it’s been a while since we’ve posted a news roundup.  Between working on podcast related issues and site maintenance, Avi and I have been pretty busy.  So… off we go. There have been several stories recently dealing with the ongoing conversion train wreck crisis in Israel.  In one example published in Ha’aretz, a Canadian who converted via a Modern Orthodox community with the intention of moving to Israel with his wife – an Israeli herself – and their children, was … [Read more…]