Program Requirements
Program
Components and Requirements
In order to complete the
conversion program, you (and your Jewish partner if you have one) must attend
Saturday morning classes, study Hebrew, attend our three-trimester (winter,
spring, and fall) Jewish Heritage class, meet quarterly with clergy, and attend
field trips and learning activities. To help you progress through this program,
we have a variety of support mechanisms to assist you, including mentors, a
written syllabus and action steps, weekly e-mail with program reminders and
excellent materials and resources to guide you on your journey. We know that
you will have many questions as you move through the program; we will help you
get answers to those questions as quickly as possible from a variety of very
supportive clergy, staff, teachers, JBC alumni, and other individuals involved
in the conversion program.
Length of program
We expect candidates to study with us for a minimum of one year in order to
experience Shabbat and each holiday and to become attuned to the rhythm of the
Jewish year. Occasionally, candidates take longer than one year to complete the
program. There is no set start date for the program; candidates may begin the
program at any time of the year.
Attendance/Participation
Attendance is taken at all JBC classes/events and at the Jewish Heritage class.
While we expect this program to be a top priority for participants, we do
realize that you may have obligations that require you to miss a class or two
over the course of the year. However, extended or continual absences will
result in a delay or cancellation of your conversion date. If you know that you
will miss a class, please let us know in advance and make arrangements to go
over the material you will miss and receive any handouts.
Jews By Choice Class
(Shabbat/Saturdays)
The JBC class meets
each week on Shabbat morning to study with our instructor, Dena Bodian and
rabbis, and to engage in group discussions. The subjects we study on Shabbat
are designed to complement the Monday night “Jewish Heritage” class (see
below). A year-long syllabus is given to students at the beginning of the JBC
program so that they can prepare well in advance for sessions in which text
study is required. Generally, classes are held in the fall, winter, and spring,
with a short break from classes supplemented by field trips and activities in
the summer. Once per month, we hold a Learners’ Service, which is also open to the
entire synagogue community, to explore a section of the service in-depth,
studying the theoretical and theological underpinnings of our liturgy. After
class, you are invited to join the community of your choice, the Sanctuary
service or the Rose Crown Minyan, for Shabbat services. After services, we join
the community for a Kiddush luncheon.
Optional Prayer Tutorial
(Shabbat/Saturdays)
After non-Learning Service JBC classes, from
Jewish Heritage Class (Mondays)
The Jewish Heritage class is a three-trimester (fall, winter, spring) class
offered by Anshe Emet's Raymond Arbetman Center for Adult Jewish Learning. The
class meets on Monday evenings from
Field Trips and
Activities
Occasionally our
Shabbat class is cancelled so that we can schedule a Sunday or weeknight
special program or field trip. Past activities have included outings to a
kosher grocery store and restaurant, shopping at a Judaica store for class
books and other items, a lecture by a visiting scholar, a social action
project, and our annual summer picnic.
Hebrew (Tuesdays)
Program participants should master the ability to read (with at least a
minimum amount of understanding) prayer book Hebrew. You are strongly
encouraged to attend classes are available through Anshe Emet’s
Clergy Meetings
Participants are
expected to meet with synagogue clergy members quarterly. To schedule these
meetings, please contact the appropriate administrative assistant.
Beit Din and Mikvah
As the final step
in the conversion program, you will participate individually in a ritual
immersion in the Mikvah of the Conservative Movement at Beth Hillel
Congregation in
Hatafat Dam Brit
Males desiring to
convert must undergo circumcision. If you have already been medically
circumcised, you are required to undergo a ritual circumcision prior to
appearing before the Beit Din. This
ritual, called Hatafat Dam Brit,
involves the symbolic and painless drawing of a small drop of blood.
Support As You Go
Through the Program
Clergy Support
The clergy of Anshe
Emet’s are available to support you throughout the conversion process.
Individual meetings with the synagogue clergy take place quarterly to discuss
personal issues that arise in the class sessions.
Class and
An important
component of the Anshe Emet Jews By Choice program is that members of the class
support each other as they go through the conversion process together. The JBC
Steering Committee also supports you by identifying and matching you with
mentors with whom you can talk, attend Shabbat dinners, services and life cycle
events, and ask questions of.
Program Syllabus
This syllabus is a guide to everything you will be doing, by week, for the
entire year of your participation.
Action Steps
The JBC Action Steps help guide you to living a Jewish life. They cover the
areas of Shabbat/Synagogue, Prayer, Hebrew, and Kashrut. Each month you will be
given action steps in each of these areas that build on those from the previous
month. This component is completed individually through self-study and practice
Weekly E-mail
You will receive a
weekly email with reminders for the coming weeks. Whenever the schedule is changed, we will notify you via email.