In short, no, especially in orthodox conversions today. However, I think that is generally true in all the movements. If your sponsoring rabbi recommends to your beit din that it is time for you to take the oral examination part of your conversion (“the” beit din) and your beit din agrees, then you likely ARE […]
Convert Questions: Does Anyone Fail the Beit Din? Read Post »
A common question for many converts is whether they can make aliyah to Israel. In short, yes, a convert from any movement can make aliyah to Israel under the Law of Return. This means the convert can get expedited citizenship and be labeled as a “Jew” on their ID card. (I’m still very confused by
Convert Questions: Converts and Aliyah Read Post »
As I’ve mentioned several times here, a potential convert may have to move in order to complete his or her conversion. It may be an easy move or a very difficult one, depending on the convert and the community. Some may have to move across town, and some may have to move to a different
Convert Issues: The Community Requirement Read Post »
Disclaimer: I had never heard of the Vancouver Beit Din until this week, when I was given access to a copy of their conversion manual. For those of you who are also unaware of them, they are (among other things) a regional conversion beit din for the Rabbinical Council of America. This means (for today
Converts & Fear: Is a Beit Din on Halachic Thin Ice? Read Post »
Reason #84 You Know You’re Crazy: An Orthodox Conversion is EXPENSIVE. Really. My conservative conversion cost me nothing other than one required paperback book for my Introduction to Judaism class. I think I bought it on Half.com for 5 bucks. To get to my first meeting with an orthodox beit din, I spent approximately $1,000
Reason #84 You Know You’re Crazy: Orthodox Conversion is EXPENSIVE! Read Post »