the new yorker
Converting to judaims in the wake of Oct. 7th
For decades, I maintained the status quo of liking like a jew without bein one. When I finally pursued the conversion, Idiscovered that I was part of a larger movement born of crisis
Men are required to undergo a circumcision as part of the conversion process. Since many males are circumcised at birth, this process varies in each case. Our mohel, Rabbi Eliezer Lawrence will guide you through this part of the process.
Each conversion candidate will have the opportunity to meet with the members of the beit din, the rabbinical court, upon the completion of their learning. The beit din, consisting of three orthodox ordained rabbis, will provide each candidate the chance to share his/her individual journey to Judaism. The rabbis will be able to affirm this journey and to provide guidance for their lives as part of the Jewish people.
The conversion process concludes with the immersion in the mikvah, the Jewish ritual bath. Our immersions take place at the West Side Mikvah in Manhattan. Each woman is accompanied to the mikvah by a trained woman chaperone and each man is accompanied by one of the rabbis. The rabbis certify the immersion and present the candidate with a conversion certificate that is signed and stamped by the members of the beit din.
The experience of conversion to Judaism begins with the study of its laws, rituals, concepts and history and the incorporation of this learning into personal practice and observance. Join our 22-week virtual Jewish Questions classes taught by Rabbi Jonthan Leener, head rabbi of the Prospect Heights Shul, and Rabbi Avram Mlotek, rabbi, chazzan, writer, Yiddish actor and licensed social worker, to delve into the rich traditions that have shaped the Jewish people for three thousand years
Rabbi Jonathan Leener, a spiritual leader and community builder in Brooklyn, heads the Prospect Heights Shul, fostering inclusivity and innovation in Jewish education. A founder of Base, he was its first rabbi in BKLYN. He lives in Crown Heights with his wife, Faith, and their three children, passionately supporting sports and the Beatles.
Rabbi Avram Mlotek, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors and renowned Yiddish culturalists, is a licensed social worker, author of three books, and co-founder of Base, a new model for Jewish outreach across U.S. cities. Named among “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis,” he is the co-creator of the award winning play Amid Falling Walls.
Rabbi Adam Gindea, holds a B.A. in Bible (JTS) and B.A. in Religion (Columbia), Rabbinic ordination from Yeshivat Pirchei Shoshanim, and ordination as a Mashpiah Ruchani (spiritual director) from Aleph. As the VP Program for OneTable, he supports cultivating Shabbat practices deepening individuals connection to Jewish life and practice.
For decades, I maintained the status quo of liking like a jew without bein one. When I finally pursued the conversion, Idiscovered that I was part of a larger movement born of crisis
U.S. rabbis say they have never seen anything like it: An unprecedented spike in the number of people interested in converting or enrolling in conversion classes.
Jasamine Hodge started converting to Judaism eight years ago, but it wasn’t until Oct. 7 that she set a date to finish.
The current hurdles to entry at many Orthodox beit dins are almost impossible for the individuals who wish to join our ranks, and the process leaves a lot to be desired.