In this volume, Moshe Lavee offers an account of crucial internal developments in the rabbinic corpus, and shows how the Babylonian Talmud dramatically challenged and extended the rabbinic model of conversion to Judaism. The history of conversion to Judaism has long fascinated Jews along a broad ideological continuum. This book demonstrates the rabbis in Babylonia further reworked former traditions about conversion in ever more stringent direction, shifting the focus of identity demarcation towards genealogy and bodily perspectives. By applying a reading-strategy that emphasizes late Babylonian literary developments, Lavee sheds critical light on a broader discourse regarding the nature and boundaries of Jewish identity.
Becoming Jewish is an engaging, accessible, all-inclusive step-by-step guide to converting to Judaism that introduces readers to finding life's meaning through the evolving religious civilization that is Judaism. Written with humor and heart, readers learn the ins and outs of becoming Jewish and discover the wonder that is the language, literature, history, rituals, food, music, and culture of contemporary Jewish life.
Conversion to Judaism provides information, advice, and support for individuals contemplating conversion to Judaism, as well as those who have converted and the families affected by this decision. With sensitivity and compassion, Lawrence J. Epstein offers an informative volume that warmly welcomes the newcomer to Judaism.
The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics of religious conversion, which for centuries has profoundly shaped societies, cultures, and individuals throughout the world. Scholars from a wide array of religions and disciplines interpret both the varieties of conversion experiences and the processes that inform this personal and communal phenomenon. This volume examines the experiences of individuals and communities who change religions, those who experience an intensification of their religion of origin, and those who encounter new religions through colonial intrusion, missionary work, and charismatic and revitalization movements. The thirty-two innovative essays provide overviews of the history of particular religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, indigenous religions, and new religious movements. The essays also offer a wide range of disciplinary perspectives-psychological, sociological, anthropological, legal, political, feminist, and geographical-on methods and theories deployed in understanding conversion, and insight into various forms of deconversion.
The Gerus Guide is the only book on the market that provides a step-by-step guide to Orthodox Jewish conversion. Drawing from over 25 years of experience counseling hundreds of candidates through the process, Rabbi Aryeh Moshen lays out a roadmap that's been proven successful time and again. Here, you'll find a comprehensive guide to keeping Kosher and observing the Sabbath, finding your community, Jewish prayer, and everything you need to live as an Orthodox Jew on a daily basis.
"This book challenges readers to consider the issues relating to halakhic conversion, and to rethink historic attitudes and policies concerning conversion. Whereas for many centuries conversion to Judaism was relatively rare, in modern times it is a significant phenomenon. This book will enable readers to better understand the phenomenon and to appreciate the need for halakhic conversions."--BOOK JACKET.
Reform Judaism is constantly evolving as we continue to seek a faith that is in harmony with our beliefs and experiences. This volume offers readers a thought-provoking collection of essays by rabbis, cantors, and other scholars who differ, sometimes passionately, over religious practice, experience, and belief. Its goal is to situate Judaism in a contemporary context, and it is uniquely suited for community discussion as well as study groups.
Since the late 1700s, when the Jewish community ceased to be a semiautonomous political unit in Western Europe and the United States and individual Jews became integrated—culturally, socially, and politically—into broader society, questions surrounding Jewish status and identity have occupied a prominent and contentious place in Jewish legal discourse. This book examines a wide array of legal opinions written by nineteenth- and twentieth-century orthodox rabbis in Europe, the United States, and Israel. It argues that these rabbis' divergent positions—based on the same legal precedents—demonstrate that they were doing more than delivering legal opinions. Instead, they were crafting public policy for Jewish society in response to Jews' social and political interactions as equals with the non-Jewish persons in whose midst they dwelled. Pledges of Jewish Allegiance prefaces its analysis of modern opinions with a discussion of the classical Jewish sources upon which they draw.
"Jewish Just Like You" is the first children's book for the children of Jewish converts, written by convert Kylie Ora Lobell. This book teaches children about the process of Jewish conversion that one or both of their parents may have gone through, as well as how converts are just like Jews who were born Jewish. It is an uplifting and empowering book that answers questions that children of converts may have. Perfect for elementary-school aged children and up, it touches on key Jewish concepts like having Shabbat dinner, lighting Hanukkah candles, saying the Shema, having strong values, studying Torah, and having pride in Israel. Praise for "Jewish Just Like You" from today's influential Jewish leaders "An emotionally uplifting, profound yet fun book, written by one of the most sincere, talented and insightful writers of our time, beautifully illustrated, that will be a blessing and a treat to children and parents alike!"- Rabbi Jason Weiner, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and rabbi at Knesset Israel Congregation of Beverlywood "Kylie Ora Lobell is one of today's most eloquent Jewish voices in print. This book fills an important gap in the market and introduces children to sensitive and nuanced subject matter in a gentle and positive way, overflowing with Jewish pride. 'Jewish Just Like You' will capture your heart with its sincerity, powerful imagery and clear presentation." - Rabbi Elchanan Shoff of Beis Knesses of Los Angeles and author of, "Paradise: Breathtaking Strolls through the Length and Breadth of Torah" "This is a delightful and charming story with captivating illustrations. The story's positive theme about being the child of a convert is a much-needed and timely contribution to diversity in literature for young Jewish children." - Judy Gruen, author of "The Skeptic and the Rabbi: Falling in Love with Faith" About the Author Kylie Ora Lobell is a writer and personal essayist who has been published in New York Magazine, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, The Forward, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Chabad.org, Tablet Magazine, Alma, Aish, Mayim Bialik's GrokNation, and Jew in the City. Originally from Baltimore, she is a convert to Judaism who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, comedian Daniel Lobell, her daughter, and her two dogs, four chickens, two tortoises, and hedgehog. About the Illustrator Barbara "Willy" Mendes is an American cartoonist and fine artist. She is best known in the comic world for her work alongside Trina Robbins in "It Ain't Me Babe" and "All Girl Thrills." Mendes was one of the early and very influential members of the underground comix movement, working alongside the other few female artists who contributed to the newly founded underground comix movement. After completing a mural in a Sephardic synagogue in Los Angeles, Mendes felt reconnected with her heritage and then began to study the Torah and actively practice Judaism which became the driving force in both her life and art.
Over the years, Rabbi Bernice Kimel Weiss has shepherded hundreds of non-Jewish students into the family of the Jewish people. For most, the interest in Judaism is sparked by a decision to marry a Jewish man or woman. But that is only the beginning. In the gentle hands of a teacher who has witnessed and understands their turmoil, their conflicts, their tears, they bare their personal struggles. What emerge are amazing, powerful, soul-stirring stories of re-creation - the extraordinary adventure of becoming a Jew at the turn of the 21st century. An Asian-American whose father owns a Japanese restaurant marries a secular Jew but leads him to Orthodox Judaism; a Belgian raised by nuns meets a Jew and finds her faith in Israel; a former Sunday school teacher from a small farm town falls in love with a Jewish girl and with her faith as well; an African-American woman lawyer, a Harvard graduate, discovers Judaism and keeps kosher in a small southern town: their varied stories and eight more are revealed in these pages. The twists and turns and the direction their lives ultimately take are a source of inspiration to those contemplating Judaism, and to all in search of faith. They are a gift to the Jewish people.
