Conversion

Can I convert to Judaism even though my husband isn't interested in following suit?

America's first Hebrew instructor taught students at Harvard College from 1722 to 1760. His career teaches us about the challenges of maintaining a Jewish life in early America.

Today in Jewish History: May 14, 2004

Jumping through hoops may look easy to this observant couple who sought an Orthodox conversion in Israel.

In Israel some believe that Orthodox control of conversion is impeding efforts to convert immigrants from the Former Soviet Union.

Conversion waxes and wanes, based on the historical and national circumstances of the Jews.

The evolution of Israel as a nation into Judaism as a religion was paralleled by a move from assimilation of strangers to a more formal idea of conversion.

Jewish attitudes toward conversion began to change as spouses of non-Jews remained loyal to Judaism and more converts chose Judaism.

In the face of persecution and legal restriction, codifiers of Jewish law chose survival over proselytization.

As both symbol and expression of the profound change required of a convert to Judaism, the mikveh (mikvah) is often a deeply emotional experience.

With the ritual bath's echoes of sexuality and its demand for self-abnegation, the prospect of immersion can create some trepidation for the prospective convert.