Question:
How can I convert to being a reform Jew?
Liam
2012-12-30 17:13:29 UTC
I'm a black gay male who is sincere about being a reform Jew.
Nine answers:
Aravah
2012-12-30 17:15:56 UTC
Jewish answer: interesting avatar. On the slim chance this question is legit:



study and determine which branch of Judaism is calling to you – Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist or Reform. Find a synagogue of that branch near you and talk with the rabbi.



Typically, there is an Intro to Judaism class that can last 16 lessons (with a break in the winter or spring, depending on when the class starts). During that time you’ll be expected to attend Shabbat services and holiday observances at the synagogue and bringing more and more of the mitzvot (commandments) into your life, moving closer and closer to living life as a Jew.



After the class you’ll work one-on-one with the rabbi or an elder on any areas you might need more study. When the rabbi considers you are ready, you will be referred to a rabbinical court (who aren’t out to sink anyone). They determine if the candidate understands enough about Judaism and is living life as a Jew (except for saying the blessings on Shabbat).



If the candidate is male and approved, they will have to been circumcised or a ritual drop of blood drawn from the genitals (with appropriate numbing agent applied). Men and women converts then go to a mikvah, a ritual immersion in water with appropriate prayers. When one emerges, they are considered 100% Jewish.



Now, the different branches don’t all recognize conversions by other branches (much like some Christian denominations don’t consider other denominations as REAL Christians).



Orthodox – recognize only Orthodox conversions.

Conservative – recognize Conservative and Orthodox conversions

Reconstructionist – recognize all conversions

Reform – recognize all conversions.



The State of Israel recognizes all conversions as legitimate but only Orthodox Jews can marry in Israel or be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Non-Orthodox go to Cyprus, get married and their marriage is then recognized in Israel.



Orthodox = 2 – 3 years to convert

Conservative = 2 – 2 1/2 years

Reconstructionist – 2 – 2 1/2 years

Reform – 1 – 1 1/2 years



Side notes: “Messianic Jews” are NOT Jewish and are NOT accepted in any branch of Judaism. They are Christian sects with Christian beliefs and some are intentionally deceptive in their attempts to convert Jews. “Messianics” are NOT recognized as Jewish by any Jewish branch nor by Israel nor by the US military. They are Christians despite calling their churches synagogues and their ministers “rabbis”



You don’t have to be Jewish to reach G=d/heaven/the world to come.
JP
2012-12-31 11:54:43 UTC
Call your local Reform synagogue and make an appointment with a rabbi. If you and s/he gel, then work with him/her on your conversion. The process usually involves study, taking a class, participating in synagogue activities, and then a final ceremony involving questions from a beit din (3 members of the community, usually rabbis/cantors), immersion in a mikveh, and a naming. Since you're male, you'll either have to get circumcised, or, if you're already circumcised, a symbolic circumcision (hatafat dam brit) if you want a fully halakhic conversion.



Be prepared to hear from fringe ultra-Orthodox cult members (like "the Sage") saying you're not really Jewish. Feel free to ignore them, since they don't know what they're talking about.
Pal
2012-12-30 17:17:16 UTC
Visit your local reform synagog. You did not think of this? If you feel comfortable there then make an appointment to visit with the Rabbi to discuss joining the congregation. There are usually classes for total non jews so you can learn the ropes and some congregations never do warm up to people with no jewish heritage so spend some time getting to know the folks before you commit.
DS M
2013-01-01 09:06:04 UTC
So you want to join a club that wants nothing to do with God. Reform Judaism is a great place for you.



I would read up on the treads of Reform Judaism, attend some club functions, and see how much you enjoy being involved. Once you have seen enough radically different takes of Judaism, find a rabbis you like and start the initiation process.



But first, let's get some history on Reform Judaism from Judaism Online

http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/reformconservativeorthodox/



Reform Judaism started at Pittsburgh conference of Reform leaders in 1885 and was lead by

Dr. Kaufman Kohler told the assembly:



“We consider their [the Holy scripture’s] composition, their arrangements and their entire contents as the work of men, betraying in their conceptions of the world shortcomings of their age...



"I do not for a moment hesitate to say it right here and in the face of the entire Jewish world that… circumcision is a barbarous cruelty which disfigures and disgraces our ancestral heirloom...



"I can no longer accept the fanciful and twisted syllogisms of Talmudic law as binding for us… I think, if anywhere, here we ought to have the courage to emancipate ourselves from the thralldom of Rabbinical legality.



With few modifications, the conference unanimously adopted Dr. Kohler’s proposed Pittsburg Platform."



The same article fast forwards to 1972:

"A survey commissioned that year by the Central Conference of American [Reform] Rabbis, reported that “...ninety-percent classified their faith with terms like: “Agnostic;” “Atheist;” “Bahai in spirit, Judaic in practice;” “Polydoxist;” “Religious Existentialist;” and “Theological Humanist.""



As you can tell from how Reform rabbis classified their faith, there is a great deal of diversity among Jews so it is impossible to walk into one and know what their focus is.



In fact, when answering the question, "Who is a Jew?" Judaism 101 states,

http://www.jewfaq.org/whoisjew.htm



"It is important to note that being a Jew has nothing to do with what you believe or what you do...a person born to a Jewish mother who is an atheist and never practices the Jewish religion is still a Jew, even in the eyes of the ultra-Orthodox."



When you never have to practice the Jewish religion, what you have is a club and you need to get to know your club to know what is their focus



Instead of Reform Judaism, you might want to explore Flexidox:

http://judaism.about.com/od/flexidox/Flexidox_Judaism.htm



In 2003 Rabbi Gershon Winkler coined the term Flexidox as a corrective to Orthodoxy, "reflecting its original intent and spirit as opposed to its otherwise superficial extremities." A flexidox Jew may think the Torah was written by people, but keep kosher and the Sabbath laws. He or she may pray in an Orthodox synagogue, but support equal synagogue roles for women and the ordination of gay rabbis.



As you can see in this paragraph as well, you can believe that just people wrote everything about God without being God inspired...and still keep kosher and the Sabbath laws as if they were inspired.



Hope this helps



Side note, Messianic Jews are not non-Messianic Jews because of their belief that God can still speak and act as all Jewish scriptures teach.



Since Judaism 101 clearly states, " being a Jew has nothing to do with what you believe or what you do" to the point ".a person born to a Jewish mother who is an atheist and never practices the Jewish religion is still a Jew", it is completely irrational to say that Messianics can't be Jews because of their belief.



Aravah will disagree with the definition but is completely helpless to improve it to something she likes without offending half of the Jewish population.



Seriously, you can't say that a polar bear isn't a bear because the black bear and brown bear voted and said you can't be a bear and have a white coat...but these are the silly things they teach you if you want to be a part of their club. It is also why it usually takes a year and a half...they have to condition you to have these knee jerk, illogical responses.



So Aravah, tell us one more time why you converted to Reform Judaism when all paths lead to heaven and other non-Messianic Jews reject your conversion.
Ali
2012-12-30 17:15:17 UTC
Reform Judaism is the largest branch which a majority of the worlds adhere to.
The Sage
2012-12-31 08:04:05 UTC
Just show up at a reform temple and do what they do. According to authentic Judaism, a reform conversion is not valid and your choice of lifestyle is also antithetical to authentic Judaism.
Kevin7
2012-12-31 08:24:51 UTC
You see rabbis about it
2012-12-30 17:14:00 UTC
stand up.

say "I am a reform Jew".

sit down.



note - if you are lazy, you can skip the standing and sitting parts.
Shira
2013-01-01 05:10:44 UTC
לא.



יהדות הרפורמים היא לא יהדות..רק יהדות האורטודוקסיה


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...