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texas celeste[ Email - Profile - Edit Post ]  1:42 am on 1.12.2006
Hi there,

I am new here. I'm a 25 year old woman in Austin and I have recently started researching Judaism and considering conversion.

I think I would probably fit best in a Reform community. I looked at the "Directory of Outreach Programs" on this website and there are no Reform-affiliated temples listed. However, I was wondering, if I study and become converted in a Conservative temple am I expected to attend that temple? Or can I switch once I am converted?

I apologize if this is not proper etiquette; please keep in mind that I'm a novice!

Thanks,

Celeste
 

administrator[ Email - Profile - Edit Post ]  4:11 am on 1.12.2006
Hi Celeste,

Thanks for your post. Our directory of programs is an "opt-in" service we provide for institutions to reach out to newcomers, but not all Jewish institutions have signed up for this free service so it is unfortunately an incomplete list.

The Union for Reform Judaism does, however, keep their own (complete) list of Reform synagogues on their website, and the list for Texas is here: http://data.urj.org/conglist/display.cfm?state=TX

You're in luck. There's not one, but TWO Reform synagogues listed for Austin.

As for your question, almost all Conservative conversions are accepted by the Reform movement, but not all Reform conversions are accepted by the Conservative movement. And just to make things lively, the Orthodox will rarely accept conversions by either Reform or Conservative Rabbis. (However, the Israeli government will...just as long as it takes place outside of Israel!) This is potentially very confusing for newcomers to Judaism, which is an unfortunate situation which we hope will one day change, but it probably won't anytime soon.

As far as membership requirements in order to convert, I believe different congregations will have different policies.

The bottom line is, the conversion process should be a personally meaningful one for you, regardless of who leads you through it, and we can help you find the right rabbi or educator to do so. As I said in answer to your other post, if you'd like us to make the initial contact on your behalf, just let us know at info@joi.org. And feel free to ask us any other questions you might have.

Yours,
Paul Golin
Associate Executive Director
Jewish Outreach Institute
 

texas celeste[ Email - Profile - Edit Post ]  5:08 am on 1.13.2006
Thanks for your response. I think I have some more reading and research to do before I take further action.

Your site is an invaluable resource. I will definitely utilize it.

 

administrator[ Email - Profile - Edit Post ]  5:21 am on 1.13.2006
Whenever you're ready. Also keep in mind, there may be a number of programs to help you dip your toe in the water. The Reform movement ocassionally sponsors "A Taste of Judaism," a free, three-session course that's open to everyone in the community. And it really does attract a wide variety of people, no strings attached. You may want to call and ask them when they're going to run the program again.
Good luck,
Paul
 
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