וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת־הַגֵּ֑ר
"You too, must love the convert" - Deuteronomy 10:19
Conversion To Judaism
Traditionally, Judaism has held converts in extraordinarily high regard, lauding their dedication to the Jewish people and it's faith.
The Torah conveys the commandment to love in only three instances: “Love your neighbor like yourself” (Leviticus 19:18), “Love the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “Love the convert” (Deuteronomy 10:19).
The imperative to be sensitive to and love converts appears no fewer than 36 times throughout the Torah, making it one of the most often repeated commandments.
The first Jewish man and woman, Abraham and Sarah, were both converts to Judaism.
They spread their knowledge and faith far and wide and converted thousands of others to Judaism as well.
“Abraham converted the
men and Sarah converted the women”
(Bereishit Rabbah 39:21)
Abraham converted the men and Sarah converted the women.
Maimonides (The Rambam) states that Abraham and Sarah began a worldwide movement, going from city to city and from country to country bringing heathens to belief in God by the tens of thousands (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Idolatry 1:3)
This is one reason that many of our Sages say that Sarah and Abraham merited to being the progenitors of Judaism.. Their entire lives were dedicated to living and walking in the Truth of One Creator.
Abraham and Sarah were promised that their descendants would be "as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as the grains of sand on the seashore." and this is one reason converts are often called "children of Abraham and Sarah.
According to the Shulchan Aruch, when a person converts to Judaism, it is as if she has been born anew, this time as a member of the Jewish people. Their lineage, whether it was Irish Catholic, Southern American, or Sudanese, is effectively nullified by the conversion. (Yoreh Deah 269:1)
This rebirth is physically manifested by immersion in the mikvah (ritual pool).
At the same time that a person completes the conversion process, a Jewish name is chosen by which you will be known for all Jewish matters. To that name is attached “ben/bat Avraham Avinu v’Sarah Eemaynu” – the son/daughter of Abraham our father and Sarah our mother.
Converting To Judaism with CTJ
CTJ is a deep dive into every topic necessary to learn, understand and observe in order to convert to Orthodox Judaism as set forth by the Rabbinut and State of Israel.
Our holistic approach is unique and eliminates the larger issues that candidates for conversion often face.
CTJ Course Levels
Level 1:
Study Judaism Online (SJO)
An Introduction to Judaism program for those desiring to Convert or those wishing to deepen their Jewish education.
We provide 4 weekly, live classes with a focus on 1 weekly beginners level class. In this class you will learn the basics of all necessary topics to live a Jewish life.
Our classes will provide you with opportunities for interactive learning with various Rabbis. You will also receive opportunities to join classes outside of our program that are approved by the board.
Students will receive a reading list, access to previously recorded classes for more learning.
Enrollment in Study Judaism Online (SJO) is a prerequisite to entrance into Converting To Judaism (CTJ).
Level 2:
Converting To Judaism (CTJ)
You will learn in depth Halacha on the Core Topics necessary to live an Observant Jewish lifestyle and ace your meetings with any Beit Din.
Students have five weekly, live classes and access to recordings with many hours of previously recorded classes available for more learning.
We have developed a detailed curriculum and reading list that is easy to follow.
Students also receive optional one on one Rabbinical Guidance.
Level 3:
Converting To Judaism Advanced (CTJA)
Once you have integrated into a Jewish community and demonstrated you are at an advanced level, you will enter Level 3.
This level will include more frequent updates, meetings with Converting Rabbi and evaluations. After the evaluations are complete, we will begin scheduling your meetings with the Beit Din.
Is Conversion
to Judaism
right for you?
People decide to convert to Judaism for different reasons but the goal is always the same - Join the Nation of Israel in faith and fate.
Some may have a Jewish partner and are inspired by the beauty of Judaism, some have Jewish lineage that they want to connect to and some have a spiritual calling to the light of The Torah.
Conversion to Judaism is a major decision that requires you to search within and discover the truth for yourself.
Now, let's address important information to help you decide if conversion Judaism is right for you.
The most important teaching and tenet of Judaism is that there is one God, incorporeal and eternal, who wants all people to do what is just and merciful.
All people are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. It is not necessary to convert to Judaism or be Jewish in order to live a righteous and Godly life.
According to Judaism, there are seven universal laws - a morality code -
which form the basis of civilization. They are called the 7 Noahide laws and all descendants of Noah, (all of humanity), are required to follow these laws.
While Jews are obligated to observe the whole Torah - 613 commandments, every non-Jew is considered a "son of the covenant of Noah" and he who accepts these obligations is considered a righteous person who is guaranteed a place in the world to come.
7 Noahide Laws:
- Embrace God's Existence and Oneness
- Do Not Curse God
- Guard and Protect Human Life
- Respect Animal Life
- Respect the Property of Others
- Do Not Engage in Illicit Sexual Acts
- Ensure Justice
The guidelines for conversion are based on the guidance given to the children of Israel to prepare for receiving the Torah at Sinai.
If you look at the Nation of Israel's conversion process at Sinai, and you will see all of the elements there:
Circumcision: The children of Israel had to circumcise themselves in Egypt before partaking of the paschal lamb, as is clear from the verse in Exodus, “All uncircumcised males may not eat from it. (the paschal lamb)”
Immersion: We find that G-d tells Moses that in preparation for receiving the Torah he should tell the Jewish people to “sanctify them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their garments.” According to tradition, “washing” is a reference to immersing in the mikvah.
Sacrifice: The third thing that the Jewish people did before fully converting was to offer a sacrifice at Mt. Sinai.
Beit Din: Additionally, the children of Israel were overseen by a rabbinical court, as the verse states, “I charged your judges at that time, saying: 'Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the convert that is with him.'"
Converting Today
Gradually and at your own pace, you will be expected to learn and live as a religiously observant Orthodox Jew.
This includes learning under the guidance of an Orthodox Rabbi or a course of study set by a Beit Din, observance and integrating into an Orthodox Jewish community.
In Judaism, your community is your lifeline. As a convert, it is vital to your process that you are embraced by a supportive and welcoming Jewish community. The Jewish community, represented by the Beit Din, also needs to know whom they are embracing as the newest member of the Jewish family.
While 12-14 months is to generally be expected to convert, every case is different and unique.
Our team of mentors and Rabbis will support you in applying what you learn and assist you in finding the right community for you.
Step by Step Guide to Conversion Today
Step One: Learn
The learning phase looks different for everyone for many different reasons. Some may study Judaism for many years prior to even deciding to convert.
While studying Judaism is endless, there are several main topics required to learn prior to conversion such as:
- Jewish Belief
- Hebrew Calendar
- Prayer and Blessings
- Kosher Laws
- Shabbat Laws
- Marriage & Family Purity
Step Two: Find A Local Rabbi
Conversion requires you to have a “Sponsoring Rabbi” willing to teach you and support your process.
In CTJ, Since the necessary learning for conversion is provided within our program, the responsibility of the Sponsor Rabbi changes. Meaning, the Sponsor Rabbi only needs to attest that you are an active member of their community and attend services regularly.
Our team can help you find the right Rabbi and smooth out the process of integrating into a community.
Step Three: Meet with the Beit Din
This three-person court, generally comprising at least one rabbi and two other observant Jews, the Beit Din explores a candidate’s sincerity by evaluating his or her knowledge, observance level and intent to live as a Jew.
On average, our students will meet with the Beit Din between 2-4 times via Zoom or in person depending on the reason and location of student.
Step Four: Brit Milah and Mikvah
If the candidate is male, he will undergo a circumcision (Brit Milah), or if already circumcised, ritual extraction of a drop of blood (Hatafat Dam Brit).
Once the Beit Din is assured of the candidate’s sincerity, the candidate immerses in the ritual bath (Mikvah). The water is symbolic of the in-between state, of the convert, who is undergoing what amounts to a spiritual rebirth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Converts You Should Know
Ruth
A Moabite princess widowed of her Jewish husband, Ruth left her life of royalty and faithfully followed her former mother-in-law to Israel. She famously declared: “Wherever you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your G‑d my G‑d.” Ruth 1:16. Ruth was the great grandmother of King David.
Batya
The daughter of Pharaoh who found Moses floating upon the Nile river and took him to the palace to raise him as an Egyptian prince. According to the Talmud, Batya had been at the river to cleanse herself from the idolatry of her father’s house and convert to Judaism when she found Moses.
Yitro
A learned priest who had explored all the deities known to man at the time, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, joined the Nation of Israel in the desert, proclaiming, “Now I know that G‑d is greater than all the gods" Exodus 18:11
Onkelos
Onkelos was the nephew of the Roman emperor Hadrian. He walked away from the wealth and power of his family for Judaism. Noting that Aramaic was fast becoming the dominant language of the Jewish people, Onkelos transcribed a faithful Aramaic translation of the Torah, one that has been printed in every standard edition since.
The Kuzari
One of the most important philosophical works of all time was written by Rabbi Yehudah Halevi, a Jewish scholar and poet who lived in Spain. Known as the Kuzari, his book is built around the theoretical conversations of a Khazar king who was searching for the “true faith" and in his search discovered the truth of Judaism.
Rabbi Akiva
While Rabbi Akiva himself was not a convert, he was a descendant of converts to Judaism. Rabbi Akiva is one of the most famous Rabbis of all time and considered to be one of the greatest Rabbinic Sages of all time. He is known in the Talmud of the "Chief of the Sages"
Class Schedule
| Subject | Day and Time |
|---|---|
| Torah Insights | Sunday 9:00 pm EST |
| Sephardic Teachings | Tuesday 7:30 pm EST |
| Life Coaching | Tuesday 8:00 pm EST |
| Converting To Judaism | Wednesday 8:00 pm EST |
| Welcome To Judaism | Thursday 11:00 am EST |
Join us today to Convert To Judaism!
