Anshe Emet Synagogue is proud to offer a robust and comprehensive Jews by Choice (JBC) program for those considering converting to Judaism. We seek to equip people with tools and knowledge to determine if Judaism is right for them. Through Anshe Emet’s JBC program, participants will:
While we are located in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, our JBC conversion program is available to those from other areas of Chicago. Anshe Emet is comprised of approximately 1,100 member units, including singles and families. Among our members are many Jews by Choice who are active in synagogue life and serve on committees and on our Board of Trustees.
JBC program participants include members of the LGBTQ community, a variety of ethnic backgrounds and people of all ages. Students include singles who are on their own spiritual journey, intermarried couples (with and without children), and couples who are engaged or contemplating marriage.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment to find out if our program is right for you, please contact Chaim Tempesco at ctempesco@ansheemet.org | 773-868-5125.
“I had the opportunity to visit Israel! The school that I teach at paid for 4 teachers to attend a trip led by our rabbi. It was AMAZING! The feelings I felt there cannot be described. I’m ready to go back! All of the learning I did at Anshe Emet really came to life. I really felt like I belonged and was home. I attached some pictures for you to see. It was a jam packed 10-day trip! Masada, Temple Mount, museums, archaeological digs and tunnels, the Dead Sea, spoke with a Holocaust survivor, water rafting on the Jordan River, Shabbat services, and so much more! Just wanted to share with you since my learning and journey of Judaism began with you.”
Anna Bernstein
JBC Graduate
JBC participants who are considering conversion undertake a multifaceted program of engaging with Jewish life.
JBC participants are required to enroll in our Introduction to Judaism course offered on Monday nights from 7PM-8:30PM over the course of two semesters. This program is taught in partnership with the Louis and Judith Miller Introduction to Judaism Program at American Jewish University. Click here for resources.
Students are expected to work through a Hebrew 101 class during their program experience, through which they will gain Hebrew reading basics. Hebrew reading 101 (10 sessions) will be offered at Anshe Emet on Thursdays from 7-7:45PM in the fall semester, and 6-6:45PM in the spring semester. Students must enroll in either fall or spring Hebrew class, or they can opt to study Hebrew in another format, including through the Miller Program.
People who are interested in learning more about Judaism or who are planning on converting with a sponsoring rabbi from outside of Anshe Emet are able to register for our Intro to Judaism Class without completing our full JBC program.
JBC participants are encouraged to engage in Jewish community beyond their Monday night class, including attending Shabbat and Festival services. There are a variety of options: The Sanctuary Service, the Rose Crown Minyan, and JBC students are also welcome at the various family services that begin at 10:15AM on Saturday. Participants are encouraged to stay after Saturday morning Shabbat services to attend Kiddush lunch, in which the whole community gathers.
Students are also encouraged to explore other social and educational programs offered at Anshe Emet and around the Jewish community.
Each month, there will be a JBC Saturday morning gathering at 9:00AM, which will alternate between Rabbinic Q&A and JBC Community Time facilitated by JBC alumni.
Candidates will begin integrating ritual practices into their private lives outside of class.
JBC participants will work with a Rabbinic mentor who will advise and guide them through the process.
Anshe Emet has a number of congregants who enjoy serving as mentors for JBC students.
$1,000 – Anshe Emet’s Conversion Program
Includes:
$500 – Miller Introduction to Judaism Class without conversion
For more information, or to schedule an appointment to find out if our program is right for you, please contact Chaim Tempesco at ctempesco@ansheemet.org | 773-868-5125.
The JBC Action Steps are your guide to living a Jewish life. This is a month-by-month individual plan to build your Jewish practice at home. You work at your own pace, selecting steps which are the easiest for you, gradually building your level of observance.
The following texts support the comprehensive curriculum and cover topics taught in the Miller Heritage class as well as prepare you for the Action Steps. As a participant in the JBC program, you have access to the books located in the Bennett Resource Room, you may check out non-reference books. The Library is open during synagogue office hours.
All of the listed books can be purchased at Rosenblum’s World of Judaica (9153 Gross Point Road, Skokie IL) or online at alljudaica.com. Many of these books can also be found at or ordered from bookstores and Amazon.com.
Yes, we encourage both partners in a relationship to attend all classes and programs together. The material one learns in class assists you, as a couple, to discuss your religious and spiritual life and how you see forming and acting upon these aspects of your life together.
We work with individuals to support them as they create a Jewish life for themselves in this context. Anshe Emet has dual-faith families and families where one member is identified Jewishly and the other is not religious but is supportive to the partner and to raising Jewish children. Our clergy and https://18doors.org are helpful resources for these couples.
The length of your time in the JBC program depends on when you begin. Other factors include life circumstances and time you have to dedicate to the classes and experiences. Those who begin in September often complete the program in an academic year (Sept – June), but if you begin in the middle of that time span it can be a 12 – 14-month process since we do not hold classes in the summer.
We do not make assumptions about when you will feel ready to complete your conversion and check in regularly to ascertain a good timeline, we want to make sure the program is working for you as you form your Jewish identity and create your Jewish life. Participation in classes and experiences is required, as is living a year of Jewish holidays.
The program runs September through June, with some summer activities.
Attendance is taken at all JBC classes, events and field trips. 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.
The Miller Heritage class is recorded on most weeks. If you have to miss a class, then you can listen to the recording and write a response to the material as a way to make up the session. Many classes are based on discussion and exploration of topics with classmates, so it is recommended to miss as few as possible. Classes are taught hybrid using Zoom for those that are out of town.
Participants are encouraged to attend Shabbat services at least twice a month at Anshe Emet.
Yes, all males must be circumcised in order to convert to Judaism. Those who are already medically circumcised undergo a ritual prior to immersing in the mikvah. This ritual, called hatafat dam brit, is performed by a ritual circumciser (mohel/moyel) and involves the symbolic and painless drawing of a small drop of blood, entering you into the covenant. We can provide the contact information for a Doctor who has worked with many adults who need circumcision. If you are transgender, please reach out to the JBC Coordinator with any questions or concerns.
Students can start at any time. The biggest groups tend to start in September and January.
The JBC program is $500 for an individual. This fee includes all classes and field trips, along with some books and resources (beginning Hebrew reading textbook, Kashrut and Shabbat resources). If you have a partner, the partner can attend all classes and field trips with you for this one fee. There is tuition assistance available.
There is an additional fee for the mikvah ($180), and there is a fee for the mohel at the time of the hatafat dam brit ($75).
Conservative, Reconstructionist and Reform communities will accept a conversion completed through Anshe Emet. Few conversions are accepted in more traditional branches of Judaism except those performed by known rabbis in those communities.
We have had students make Aliyah as Jews, however this is recognition through the Ministry of the Interior. The Rabbanut (Orthodox Rabbinic authority in Israel) does not accept non-Orthodox conversions. Many Israelis, especially those in the Masorti (Conservative) movement would be happy to embrace those converted according to Jewish law by Conservative rabbis abroad.
After completion of essay questions, you will meet with the beit din, comprised of rabbis from Anshe Emet or other local rabbis. We require candidates to meet individually with each rabbi prior to the beit din as well. If you have a close relationship with a rabbi in a nearby community, he or she is welcome to be a part of the beit din.
Yes, we require all candidates to immerse in a mikvah. We use the Community Mikvah housed at Beth Hillel Congregation B’nai Emunah, in Wilmette.
No, you do not have to be a member. While you are enrolled in the program you are encouraged to take advantage of the services, speakers, programs and celebrations that occur at Anshe Emet, and when there is a charge you can use the member rate. High Holiday tickets are also available for JBC candidates at a discounted rate. Once completing the program there are a variety of membership rates through which you can join the synagogue, if you are interested.
We have graduates who follow a variety of paths to observance and affiliation after graduating from the program. It is not a requirement to affiliate with Anshe Emet or a Conservative congregation. We do hope you take advantage of all Anshe Emet has to offer during your enrollment in the program in order to get to know the community and rabbis.
We have a number of participants who are already married and then choose to follow a path to conversion. After completion it provides an opportunity to celebrate with a Jewish wedding.
The Anshe Emet community welcomes all who are on a path to learn about Judaism. We strive to meet everyone where they are, and work closely with Keshet to make sure needs are met throughout the process.
We have had cases such as this. We require documentation of past participation, and the Director of the JBC program will talk with the previous rabbi or instructor to gain a fuller picture of the program and what was covered to date.