Jewish Lifecycle

Traditionally Judaism has been concerned about a Jew by choice's motives.

In traditional communities, a child must be formally converted if adopted or born to a non-Jewish mother.

A convert must step gingerly across a minefield of long-held expectations, sometimes complicated by ambivalence toward Jewishness.

Conversion means life change, but the path to Jewish identity varies widely.

If we are to develop a formula for conversion acceptable to all the Jewish movements, everyone will need to take a step toward the middle.

A topical over view of contemporary issues in conversion.

Conversion transforms formerly neutral territory into emotionally fraught real estate.

Differences between the movements grow out of more basic disagreements in philosophy and belief.

Because becoming a Jew is an evolving process.

The process varies from movement to movement, but certain rituals are common to all of them.