Conversion

Congregation Beth Israel and the Reform Movement welcome and support those who choose to explore Judaism. Jews by Choice are a gift to our people and to our community. Our clergy recognize that every person follows a personal path to Judaism at their own pace.

We encourage you to make yourself at home in the life of Congregation Beth Israel. Please explore all aspects of our synagogue community. For example, we invite everyone to attend our Saturday morning Torah Study discussions as well as our Shabbat services and Shabbat meals.

While each person’s path into Jewish life is unique, there are shared questions and experiences that are common to many. We hope to help you find answers to some of your basic queries and to point the way to additional sources. Read more about conversion in the Reform Jewish Community.

If you are considering conversion to Judaism…

Our  Living a Jewish Life class is intended to convey information on the major facets of Judaism. Those who are considering conversion at Congregation Beth Israel must complete this course. Completion of the Living a Jewish Life course, however, does not in and of itself constitute a conversion.  Some of our students enroll in the class at the start of their conversion process. Some students prefer to meet with Rabbi Folberg or Rabbi Levy before they enter any formal learning.

Conversion to Judaism includes at least one formal year of study with a rabbi’s supervision. If you join the Living a Jewish Life class mid-semester or mid-year, please meet with your rabbi to discuss how to appropriately time your conversion.

Each student interested needs to ask Rabbis Folberg or Levy to serve as Rabbi-Mentors by mid-semester. Please notify the Clergy Assistant of your choice.

If the course is being taken for conversion in preparation for a Jewish marriage, we strongly encourage both partners to enroll and take the course together.

Those desiring to become Jews by Choice schedule a conversion ceremony with their mentor. These ceremonies occur only after one full year of formal study at CBI.  For more information about our Living a Jewish Life Class, click here.

Since becoming a part of the Jewish community is an important part of becoming Jewish, we expect all conversion students to join the synagogue. For membership information, please contact our Harold Wilensky, at 512-454-6806