Becoming Jewish
The Challenges, Rewards, and Paths to Conversion
1st Edition
Published on 16. September 2011
272 pages
978-1-4422-0849-0 (ISBN)
Description
Becoming Jewish is the first all-inclusive, step-by-step guide to converting to Judaism. Steven Carr Reuben, a highly respected rabbi, and Jennifer S. Hanin, a convert to the faith, lead readers through the conversion process, providing the right mix of advice, resources and humor for the journey.
Jews-to-be often find the steps to Judaism foreign, complex, and mysterious. From learning an ancient language, to entering the mikvah (ritual bath), to choosing a Hebrew name, to circumcision, to appearing before a bet din (Jewish court), becoming a Jew is anything but quick and easy. In this engaging and accessible guide, Reuben and Hanin offer practical wisdom for every step of conversion, including:
telling family and friends selecting a denominationchoosing a rabbiunderstanding Jewish ritualscelebrating Jewish holidaysputting aside childhood holidayskeeping ties to the pastadvice on weddings, raising kids, and more
Throughout, the authors focus on developing a healthy spiritual life, while helping readers understand what it means to be Jewish, absorb Jewish teachings, and live a Jewish life.
Jews-to-be often find the steps to Judaism foreign, complex, and mysterious. From learning an ancient language, to entering the mikvah (ritual bath), to choosing a Hebrew name, to circumcision, to appearing before a bet din (Jewish court), becoming a Jew is anything but quick and easy. In this engaging and accessible guide, Reuben and Hanin offer practical wisdom for every step of conversion, including:
telling family and friends selecting a denominationchoosing a rabbiunderstanding Jewish ritualscelebrating Jewish holidaysputting aside childhood holidayskeeping ties to the pastadvice on weddings, raising kids, and more
Throughout, the authors focus on developing a healthy spiritual life, while helping readers understand what it means to be Jewish, absorb Jewish teachings, and live a Jewish life.
More details
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
ISBN-13
978-1-4422-0849-0 (9781442208490)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Steven Carr Reuben | Jennifer S. Hanin
Becoming Jewish
The Challenges, Rewards, and Paths to Conversion
Book
11/2011
Rowman & Littlefield
€42.26
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Persons
Steven Carr Reuben is senior rabbi of Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation in California, the largest Reconstructionist congregation in the world. He is an avid speaker, author of numerous books, including There's an Easter Egg on Your Seder Plate: Surviving Your Child's Interfaith Marriage, articles, and blog videos on interfaith issues online and in publications ranging from USA Today to The New York Post. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California.
Jennifer S. Hanin is a freelance writer, author, blogger, and a convert to Judaism. She is the author of What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant and lives in southern California.
Jennifer S. Hanin is a freelance writer, author, blogger, and a convert to Judaism. She is the author of What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant and lives in southern California.
Content
Foreword by Bob Saget
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Inspiration for Becoming Jewish
Chapter 1: Finding New Meaning
Making the Transition
What Defines a Jew?
Why is Culture so Important?
Why Convert?
What Is Involved?
Choosing a Hebrew Name
Getting Started
Rabbi Shopping
Finding Community Online
The Right Rabbi for You
Jewish Denominations
Do You Need to Learn Hebrew?
Will Your Children Need to Convert?
Using this Book
Chapter 2: Belonging vs. Believing
Belief-Based Religion
Belonging-Based Religion
Will Jews Accept You as a Convert?
Will Family and Friends Accept You?
What Does "Religious" Mean?
Labels Belong on Products
More than a Religion
Your Jewish Inheritance Room
Developing Your Own Jewish Customs
Chapter 3: Telling Family & Friends
Topics Considered Taboo
Be Honest
Find a Neutral Setting
Gaining Support
Do it for You
More Than You Bargained For
Those Awkward Moments
Start Living It
Chapter 4: Hitting the Books
Choosing Your Path
Seeing with a Jewish Set of Eyes
TMI!
Just Do It
Chapter 5: Learning an Ancient Language
Really? Is Hebrew Required?
Language of the Torah
Curl Up with the Dead Sea Scrolls
Help!
But It Looks So Different
Your Secret Decoder Ring
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Worth the Effort
Chapter 6: Honoring Shabbat
Rock Star Status
Making Shabbat Yours
The Three Traditional Shabbat Rituals
A Blessing for Children
Do-It-Yourself Shabbat
Weekly Farewell Party
Chapter 7: Holidays & Holy Days
Early or Late?
More Holidays than You Can Shake a Lulav At
Make Your Sukkah Shine
The Miracle of Religious Freedom
The Three-Hour Meal
Chapter 8: Facing the Bet Din
Behind the Bet Din
Use "We" Terms
Don't Sweat It
Assessing Your Intent
Cramming Sold Separately
Chapter 9: Mikvah and More
The Mikvah
Modesty Takes a Backseat
Conversion Ceremony
Circumcision
Hatafat Dam Brit
Brit Milah
Brit Milah for Newborns
Calming Conversion Jitters
Chapter 10: Tradition
Why Tradition Matters
More Than a Nursery
Tying the Knot
R.I.P.
Sacred Rituals & Customs
Knowing What's Important
Cornerstones of Judaism
Making it Work
Chapter 11: Living Single
The Many Meanings of "Family"
Finding Your Own "Jewish Mother"
Don't Amputate Your Past
Chapter 12: All This for a Wedding?
Turning Two Into One
More Than Art
Four Poles and Some Frabic
Walking in Circles
Getting to "I Do"
Sheva Berachot (Seven Blessings)
The Plain Gold Band
The Groom Wore Steel-Toed Shoes
Getting a Get
Chapter 13: Raising Jewish Kids
Hang On! Help is On Its Way
Q & A
Live It Yourself
Chapter 14: Adult B'nai Mitzvah and Beyond
Rite of Passage
Facing Your Fears
What Can You Expect?
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Syllabus-Conservative
What Else Can You Learn?
Virtual Learning
Chapter 15: Is Madonna Jewish?
Understanding the Roots
What is Kabbalah?
The Five Layers
Kabbalah is Jewish
Kabbalah is NOT Judaism
Trying Pop Kabbalah
Is Kabbalah for You?
Chapter 16: Do They Hate You Too?
Centuries of Jew Hating
Eyes Wide Open
Should You Be Concerned?
Is There a Bull's-Eye on Your Back?
Fertile Grounds for Antisemites
How to Avoid Haters
What Can You Do About It?
Reporting Hate Crimes & Beyond
You're Not Alone
Wave of Holocaust Denial
Finding the Jewish Activist in You
Show Your Chutzpah
Chapter 17: Everyone Matters
The Gloved One
Why So Many Lawyers?
Making it Your Own
Chapter 18: Children of Israel
It Just Feels Different
Bill Said it Best
Peace of Pipedream?
Act for Israel
All Corners of the Globe
Am Yisrael Chai!
Appendix I: Thirty-Nine Types of Work Forbidden On Shabbat
Appendix II: Conversion Course-Orthodox
Glossary
Resources
Index
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Inspiration for Becoming Jewish
Chapter 1: Finding New Meaning
Making the Transition
What Defines a Jew?
Why is Culture so Important?
Why Convert?
What Is Involved?
Choosing a Hebrew Name
Getting Started
Rabbi Shopping
Finding Community Online
The Right Rabbi for You
Jewish Denominations
Do You Need to Learn Hebrew?
Will Your Children Need to Convert?
Using this Book
Chapter 2: Belonging vs. Believing
Belief-Based Religion
Belonging-Based Religion
Will Jews Accept You as a Convert?
Will Family and Friends Accept You?
What Does "Religious" Mean?
Labels Belong on Products
More than a Religion
Your Jewish Inheritance Room
Developing Your Own Jewish Customs
Chapter 3: Telling Family & Friends
Topics Considered Taboo
Be Honest
Find a Neutral Setting
Gaining Support
Do it for You
More Than You Bargained For
Those Awkward Moments
Start Living It
Chapter 4: Hitting the Books
Choosing Your Path
Seeing with a Jewish Set of Eyes
TMI!
Just Do It
Chapter 5: Learning an Ancient Language
Really? Is Hebrew Required?
Language of the Torah
Curl Up with the Dead Sea Scrolls
Help!
But It Looks So Different
Your Secret Decoder Ring
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Worth the Effort
Chapter 6: Honoring Shabbat
Rock Star Status
Making Shabbat Yours
The Three Traditional Shabbat Rituals
A Blessing for Children
Do-It-Yourself Shabbat
Weekly Farewell Party
Chapter 7: Holidays & Holy Days
Early or Late?
More Holidays than You Can Shake a Lulav At
Make Your Sukkah Shine
The Miracle of Religious Freedom
The Three-Hour Meal
Chapter 8: Facing the Bet Din
Behind the Bet Din
Use "We" Terms
Don't Sweat It
Assessing Your Intent
Cramming Sold Separately
Chapter 9: Mikvah and More
The Mikvah
Modesty Takes a Backseat
Conversion Ceremony
Circumcision
Hatafat Dam Brit
Brit Milah
Brit Milah for Newborns
Calming Conversion Jitters
Chapter 10: Tradition
Why Tradition Matters
More Than a Nursery
Tying the Knot
R.I.P.
Sacred Rituals & Customs
Knowing What's Important
Cornerstones of Judaism
Making it Work
Chapter 11: Living Single
The Many Meanings of "Family"
Finding Your Own "Jewish Mother"
Don't Amputate Your Past
Chapter 12: All This for a Wedding?
Turning Two Into One
More Than Art
Four Poles and Some Frabic
Walking in Circles
Getting to "I Do"
Sheva Berachot (Seven Blessings)
The Plain Gold Band
The Groom Wore Steel-Toed Shoes
Getting a Get
Chapter 13: Raising Jewish Kids
Hang On! Help is On Its Way
Q & A
Live It Yourself
Chapter 14: Adult B'nai Mitzvah and Beyond
Rite of Passage
Facing Your Fears
What Can You Expect?
Adult B'nai Mitzvah Syllabus-Conservative
What Else Can You Learn?
Virtual Learning
Chapter 15: Is Madonna Jewish?
Understanding the Roots
What is Kabbalah?
The Five Layers
Kabbalah is Jewish
Kabbalah is NOT Judaism
Trying Pop Kabbalah
Is Kabbalah for You?
Chapter 16: Do They Hate You Too?
Centuries of Jew Hating
Eyes Wide Open
Should You Be Concerned?
Is There a Bull's-Eye on Your Back?
Fertile Grounds for Antisemites
How to Avoid Haters
What Can You Do About It?
Reporting Hate Crimes & Beyond
You're Not Alone
Wave of Holocaust Denial
Finding the Jewish Activist in You
Show Your Chutzpah
Chapter 17: Everyone Matters
The Gloved One
Why So Many Lawyers?
Making it Your Own
Chapter 18: Children of Israel
It Just Feels Different
Bill Said it Best
Peace of Pipedream?
Act for Israel
All Corners of the Globe
Am Yisrael Chai!
Appendix I: Thirty-Nine Types of Work Forbidden On Shabbat
Appendix II: Conversion Course-Orthodox
Glossary
Resources
Index
