The Secrets of Becoming Jewish

While each person’s path to Judaism is unique, they all share a deep sense of commitment to their newfound faith. Miriam, a highly successful nurse, chose to convert to Judaism on her own after becoming disillusioned by what she thought were Catholicism’s overly negative views of women; Ahava, also a former Catholic, embraced Judaism after falling in love with a Jewish man; and Alanna, who grew up as a conservative Christian, always felt uncomfortable with Christian teachings that discouraged questioning. Within these pages, you will also discover the story of Reda and Nour, a Muslim couple from Lebanon who chose to leave their home in Beirut because near-constant strife in the Middle East made life difficult for them. As these stories reveal, one’s decision to convert often raises questions and concerns about familial acceptance or rejection; whether to keep kosher or give up past holiday traditions; challenges in choosing a synagogue; and how to balance interfaith relationships. Yet despite these challenges, Judaism’s teachings and traditions bring fulfillment and comfort to those who embrace the faith.

Rabbi Bernice Kimel Weiss is the founder and director of The Washington Institute for Conversion and the Study of Judaism, now based in Washington, DC, and the author of Converting to Judaism: Choosing to be Chosen: Personal Stories. Rabbi Weiss earned a BS from the University of Pittsburgh and a MA from George Washington University. Upon graduating from the Academy for Jewish Religion in 1989, she entered the rabbinate. Rabbi Weiss received the prestigious Melton Senior Educators Fellowship for Jewish Education in the Diaspora and spent 1995 and 1996 at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She is a member of the United Jewish Communities Rabbinic Cabinet and the Washington Board of Rabbis.