Formal Learning

During the year-long process, you must complete an Introduction to Judaism course through the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). (Please list Rabbi Mara Nathan as your referring Rabbi). You will also need to pass a basic Hebrew exam and complete all Choosing Judaism requirements at Temple Beth-El before you can be scheduled for a Beit Din. 

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Each Candidate Must Complete the Following:

• URJ Introduction to Judaism Course 

• A basic Hebrew proficiency exam (recognizing the letters of the Hebrew alphabet). 

• 5 Meetings with Sponsoring Clergy Person (Rabbi Nathan, Rabbi Falco or Cantor Ettinger) 

• 4 Choosing Judaism Symposium Sessions (Jan. 10, 24, 31 and Feb. 21, 2027) 

• An open book exam. (This must be completed in order to proceed with Beit Din) 

• Five journal entries connected to your meetings with clergy. 

• Four reflection responses to holiday experiences during your year of study. (Shabbat + 3 Holidays of your choice) 

• Four reflection responses to our Choosing Judaism Seminar Sessions 

• A counseling session with Dr. Debra Morrow, Clinical Psychologist. This session is designed to explore the complexities of conversion to Judaism and to determine one’s readiness for such a major personal transformation.  Your sponsoring clergy person will let you know when it is time. 

• Attendance at no less than six Friday night services (6:30pm) and no less than six Saturday mornings services (10:30am) at Temple Beth-El (Please note that online streaming will not count). 

• A project on a topic of your choosing that allows you to delve deeper into other avenues of Judaism. 

• A personal statement reflecting on your journey to be shared with clergy before your Beit Din. 

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Living A Jewish Life

Throughout the conversion process, which will encompass a full year’s cycle of Jewish holidays, the prospective conversion candidate will 

• Begin to observe Shabbat rituals in synagogue and at home – in whatever way works for them. 

• Begin living a Jewish life which consists of religious experiences, as well as communal celebrations.  

• Begin to “see the world through Jewish eyes” through the celebration of Shabbat and holidays. Attendance at Shabbat services at Temple (Friday night at 6:30 P.M. or Saturday morning at 10:30 A.M.) is highly encouraged AND your attendance is required at 6 Friday nights and 6 Saturday mornings.  

• Begin the observance of mitzvot, and the participation in the Jewish community. 

• Engage in ongoing acts of tikkun olam (social action). 

• Candidates are encouraged to attend at least one Conservative, Orthodox and/or Reconstructionist Shabbat service. 

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Final Steps

Following the completion of the above, you may be invited to participate in a beit din (a clergy court). If that is successful, you will be invited to attend the mikvah, the ritual immersion. (Hatafat dam brit is available for men upon request.) Please note that while we are excited for you to formalize your conversion journey, clergy reserve the right to determine whether any given candidate is ready to officially become Jewish at Temple Beth-El.  

1. Each candidate will choose a Hebrew name which will then be shared at the beit din. If you need help coming up with a name, please contact your clergy sponsor. In almost all cases, each person will have their Hebrew name and then be “ben/bat Avraham v’Sarah” which signifies their direct lineage from the first people to choose Judaism. There are non-binary options as well. 

1. Male candidates can choose whether or not they would like to have a circumcision (if not already circumcised) or a Hatafat dam brit, a ritual circumcision. There is an extra fee associated with this procedure and will require an appointment with our local mohel around the time of the mikvah. Please let your clergy sponsor know if you have questions and are considering this ritual process. 

1. Conversion to Judaism is a journey. Not all candidates progress at the same pace. Once all steps are completed, candidates will be scheduled to meet with the Beit Din to act upon the candidacy. Following the Beit Din, the clergy will recommend whether or not the candidate is ready to move on to the mikvah. Following the mikvah, you will have a brief conversion ceremony and a blessing on the bimah that same Shabbat if desired. 

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COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AND ITS REQUIREMENTS DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO CONVERSION.  The Beit Din (the Rabbis and Cantor) will make conversion decisions on a case-by-case basis.  Members of the same class may or may not go through conversion at the same time.