Conversion to Judaism

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Peter Buchsbaum

Jul 19, 2025, 10:06 AM

Beware of the appointment process

Israelis who cite the US process as a model should take note of the harm the presidential nomination process is doing to America

Sam Lehman-Wilzig

Jul 11, 2025, 7:42 AM

Who is a Jew(ish Israeli)?

Once again, the question of “Who is a Jew?” has arisen in Israel – one of the most volatile and controversial since the country’s establishment back in 1948. The issue is important because of Israel’s nature as a “nation-state.”...

Jun 16, 2025, 6:01 PM

A Bissel of Good News (for a change)

I live in suburban New Jersey: old-growth trees, independent bookstores, so many psychotherapists that you trip over them in the grocery store. Our robust Jewish population is spread among three well attended synagogues of three different flavors, plus Chabad....

Sheldon Kirshner

Jun 6, 2025, 2:57 PM

For Menajem Aguirre and his wife, Isska Dvash, immigration to Israel would be a dream come true. The young couple from Cali, Colombia, think of little else after having bought airplane tickets to Israel for themselves and their two...

Toni Airaksinen

Jun 4, 2025, 11:14 PM

How Campus Hamas Supporters Led Me To Judaism

Collage — Top Left: Conversion Certificate, Bottom Left: Photo From My Conversion Ceremony, Right: Photo with Rabbi Steve Moss and Cantor "Dan" at Temple Sinai of Palm Beach Country. Credits: Toni Airaksinen.

When I began studying at Barnard College of Columbia University in 2015, I was on a full-ride scholarship. Coming from a foster-care type upbringing, I had no family. No friends in NYC. And no support system. But I was...

Austin Reid Albanese

Jun 4, 2025, 10:55 PM

Judaism Was Never Meant to Be a Fortress

When I wrote recently about the open-hearted voice of American Judaism in the late 19th century—especially its embrace of converts and civic pluralism—I expected disagreement. That’s part of writing publicly. But I wasn’t prepared for the string of emails...

Allen S. Maller

Jun 2, 2025, 1:52 AM

Mentioning that a person is a Convert to Judaism is Now a Mitzvah

Judaism is not a missionary religion, so Jews do not actively try to convert non-Jewish people (in many countries centuries ago anti-Jewish laws prohibited converting to Judaism). Despite this, the modern Jewish community does increasingly welcome would-be converts. A...

May 29, 2025, 4:23 PM

The Mercenary, the Mossad, and the Rabbi of Bethlehem

The Jerusalem skyline (Nati Shochat/Flash 90)

Before he flew in private planes between war zones, before he plotted coups of smuggled diamonds for African rebels, Simon Mann attempted to convert to Judaism. He did so, too, under the guidance of one of Jerusalem’s most eccentric...

Austin Reid Albanese

May 29, 2025, 5:18 AM

This verse is carved on synagogues across America. Do we still believe it?

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Citing Isaiah’s vision, 19th century rabbis declared, without apology, that Judaism had a message for all peoples

May 25, 2025, 11:47 PM

Shavuot and conversion, post-October 7

This Shavuot when we recite Yizkor (the memorial service), it will be over a year and half since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023; the taking of the hostages; and the beginning of the still-ongoing...

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