We refer to a person as a “convert” rather than a “Jew.”. We give this new Jew a Hebrew name affixed with “son of Abraham and Sarah” rather than with his (presumably) non-Jewish Dear Big: You are correct that you can convert to Judaism with a Reform or a Conservative rabbi no matter how you define your gender. Conservative Judaism may be the path for you given your interest in a more observant lifestyle. Orthodox streams of Judaism would be more challenged to accept you, so you seem to be positioned well for a middle path. Conversion Is About Belief, Belonging, and Practice. Jewish law stipulates that a prospective convert accept three indispensable elements of Judaism; a sense of belonging to the Jewish people, belief in God and a commitment to observing the mitzvoth. While it is conceivable that a secular conversion might address the first element, it would in In Judaism, you pray directly to God and can receive help, guidance, and understanding. You can pray on your own and with a prayer community in a Jewish congregation. Judaism accepts the idea of a covenant, or agreement, between God and the Jewish people. 2. Judaism doesn’t accept the idea that people are born evil. Just as conversion to the Judaism of one’s birth is impossible; so too is conversion from some other faith—or none—to secular Judaism. Becoming Jewish is a serious business. You cannot By JERUSALEM POST STAFF. MAY 10, 2021 03:29. Learning to read a prayer book can be a good start for modern Hebrew. (photo credit: FLICKR) Speaking, reading and/or writing Hebrew is not a mandatory Many Reform rabbis do require mikvah immersion, and for the thousands of people converting to Judaism by working with Conservative and Orthodox rabbis, getting creative isn’t an option. For them Izates at first heeded his mother's warning, but later fully converted as a Jew. When Helena saw that the feared rebellion didn’t happen, she too fully embraced Judaism and even traveled to Jerusalem to bring sacrifices and valuable gifts to the Temple. 14. Upon her passing, Helena was buried in Jerusalem. Some converts may be drawn by love of a Jew, but for some it is love of Judaism. If you wonder what prompts people to convert to Judaism, marriage would seem the most obvious motivation. Or Only 4 percent of Reform Jews say they attend religious services at least weekly, compared to 11 percent of American Jews overall. About 29 percent of Reform Jews say they believe in God with LV7NU.