Lawrence J. Epstein

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Feb 21, 2018, 2:21 AM

Six low-key ways to attract converts

The Jewish people is returning to its ancient tradition of embracing converts to Judaism. As they do, a nearly universal consensus exists in the Jewish community that using bribery, coercion, threats, or fear to convince someone to convert is...

Jan 7, 2015, 7:22 PM

Zionism’s Ultimate Goal

Zionism’s ultimate goal is the redemption of the world through Judaism. The initial and already successful goals were to provide a new post-Enlightenment identity for Jews as members of a nation, ingather exiles from the Diaspora to Eretz Yisrael,...

Sep 10, 2014, 8:36 PM

Teaching Converts: A Job for Retired Rabbis

Retirees face common struggles. Sometimes those struggles involve health or money. Aside from those crucial issues, one large challenge for a retiree is to find meaning, some purpose to what can sometimes seem as endless days. I have never been...

Sep 6, 2014, 2:53 AM

An organization to welcome converts

A national information and advocacy organization is needed to welcome potential converts to the Jewish faith and improve their lives once they become Jewish. Such an organization can be a new one or a program or initiative of an...

Jul 30, 2014, 7:59 PM

CABLE NEWS: 1945

All decent people are deeply shaken by images of the death of innocents, especially children. Abstract discussions of responsibility can’t match the emotional power of a close-up of a wounded child’s face. The 24 hour news networks on cable are...

May 22, 2012, 11:38 PM

What is a Jewish Writer?

A person whose identity includes being both a “writer” and “Jewish” has some explaining to do. There is a rapport and rancor between the two identities when they reside in the same person. The first problem is definitional. Being a...

May 6, 2012, 6:15 PM

Why We Welcome Converts

Those who join the Jewish people on its historic spiritual journey should be embraced without a calculation of the benefits they bring. They should be welcomed just for their choice to become Jewish. It is also important to note that...

May 1, 2012, 6:05 PM

Ethical Judaism: A Statement of Faith

Judaism has no single universally accepted statement of faith. There are a thousand doors that lead into the house of the Jewish faith. This is the one I have walked through. I call it Ethical Judaism, and, unsurprisingly, I...

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About Me

I am the author of a variety of books about Jewish life including "The Haunted Smile: The Story of Jewish Comedians in America." My most recent book is "Converts to Judaism: Stories from Biblical Times to Today" published by Rowman & Littlefield.