Question for Jewish Mamas - Can you really convert to Judaism?

[Learning_Mum]

I'm not really sure how to explain my question. I guess I mean, if Jews are the 'chosen people' is it really possible to convert?

I guess I feel like Judaism is more than just a religion, it's a nationality. I mean, I'm a New Zealander, I could move to Australia and become a citizen but deep down I'd always be a NZer, and I feel like it's kind of the same with Judaism. Can I really convert? Will I really be Jewish just because I want to be, when I don't have a family history of Judaism?

Does that make sense to anyone? I'm not really sure how to express what I feel. Maybe this is really a question I need to talk to a Rabbi about?

I've always felt drawn to Judaism. It feels right to me and I would love to explore it more, but I guess I'm worried that I'd always feel like a fraud.

[russsk]

You should talk to a Rabbi. You can convert. No, you won't have the genes of a Jew, but there's so much more to being Jewish than that. The conversion process is difficult and takes dedication, so if you make it through you will definitely NOT be a fraud in calling yourself Jewish. If it feels like the right path to you, then definitely go for it.

[imnottelling]

Originally Posted by Learning_Mum

I'm not really sure how to explain my question. I guess I mean, if Jews are the 'chosen people' is it really possible to convert?

I guess I feel like Judaism is more than just a religion, it's a nationality. I mean, I'm a New Zealander, I could move to Australia and become a citizen but deep down I'd always be a NZer, and I feel like it's kind of the same with Judaism. Can I really convert? Will I really be Jewish just because I want to be, when I don't have a family history of Judaism?

Does that make sense to anyone? I'm not really sure how to express what I feel. Maybe this is really a question I need to talk to a Rabbi about?

I've always felt drawn to Judaism. It feels right to me and I would love to explore it more, but I guess I'm worried that I'd always feel like a fraud.

My father used to be a rabbi in New Zealand (20 years ago), and let me tell you, he had his share of conversions there, if that answers your question

Once someone converts and commits to being a Jew, no matter lineage, one is a bona fide Jew, and considered a child of Abraham and Sarah...

[merpk]

Yeah. That.


There's a Jewish idea that all the souls that will ever be Jewish, ever, were at Sinai (meaning at the event of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai), and some of those souls have "gotten lost" in the turmoil of the last 2,500 years of varying persecutions of Jews, beginning from when the Jews were first exiled from Judea (think "the Ten Lost Tribes") to all those who have just plain assimilated out over the last two-plus millenia. Anyway, this idea says that those who end up converting to Judaism are those souls that had gotten lost, finding their way back to where they were originally/where they belong.

Remembering that Jews believe in reincarnation helps with understanding this idea.

[Learning_Mum]

Originally Posted by merpk

Yeah. That.


There's a Jewish idea that all the souls that will ever be Jewish, ever, were at Sinai (meaning at the event of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai), and some of those souls have "gotten lost" in the turmoil of the last 2,500 years of varying persecutions of Jews, beginning from when the Jews were first exiled from Judea (think "the Ten Lost Tribes") to all those who have just plain assimilated out over the last two-plus millenia. Anyway, this idea says that those who end up converting to Judaism are those souls that had gotten lost, finding their way back to where they were originally/where they belong.

Remembering that Jews believe in reincarnation helps with understanding this idea.

That is so lovely. It's really nice to hear that.

You know, funnily enough when I was four, I deperately wanted a Star of David necklace.

I'm sorry, I'm not very coherant! I'm exhausted and I don't think my brain is working properly!

[russsk]

Originally Posted by merpk

Yeah. That.


There's a Jewish idea that all the souls that will ever be Jewish, ever, were at Sinai (meaning at the event of the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai), and some of those souls have "gotten lost" in the turmoil of the last 2,500 years of varying persecutions of Jews, beginning from when the Jews were first exiled from Judea (think "the Ten Lost Tribes") to all those who have just plain assimilated out over the last two-plus millenia. Anyway, this idea says that those who end up converting to Judaism are those souls that had gotten lost, finding their way back to where they were originally/where they belong.

Remembering that Jews believe in reincarnation helps with understanding this idea.

Thanks for reminding me of this. After my conversion, my rabbi said, "Don't I know you from somewhere? Oh yeah, Mt. Sinai." His delivery was a little corny, but remembering that feeling still makes me a little weepy.

[Learning_Mum]

OK, so the caffeine has kicked in and my brain has cleared a little!

I actually meant to post this before. I found it while I was reading www.jewfaq.org and found it really helpful. The have a page on conversion, but the paragraph I found helpful was this:

However, it is important to remember that Abraham himself was a convert, as were all of the matriarchs of Judaism, as was Ruth, an ancestor of King David.

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by russsk

You should talk to a Rabbi. You can convert. No, you won't have the genes of a Jew, but there's so much more to being Jewish than that. The conversion process is difficult and takes dedication, so if you make it through you will definitely NOT be a fraud in calling yourself Jewish. If it feels like the right path to you, then definitely go for it.

Exactly that. I converted, and really do feel like a Jew. It's not easy, but it can be done. The long process really helps you feel like you're a part of it.