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Okay, so the guy in Miami is a ripoff and his conversions aren't recognized by the majority of the Jewish community. I'm glad I found that out before I paid any money. HOWEVER, I met the most charming Israeli rabbi online who has agreed to help me convert -- for free! We had our first lesson last night. I didn't learn anything I didn't already know, but it was a good basis for our classes. We're doing them over Skype.

The rabbi -- Hillel -- is Masorti, which is the Israeli (and other countries that aren't the US and Canada) equivalent of the Conservative movement.

He told me to save the money I would have paid the other rabbi and save up for a trip to Israel. Which is scary and exciting.

We are not just talking about Jewish stuff, either. He's funny and absolutely charming. He's gotten pretty much my whole life story out of me and I've learned a lot about him, too. He's originally from Canada and made aliyah when he was 19. Like me, he's divorced and has three children. His kids live in Jerusalem. Hillel lives in Netanya and is a full-time pulpit rabbi to a large congregation.

Now that I've completely bored you...

Something is wrong with my cat's leg. She's dragging it and it appears to be broken or out of joint. We're taking her to the vet today. :(

Threaded | Flat

Yay! I'm glad you found out before confirming anything and, yikes, paying! Masorti is good as a basis, actually, it's what I was raised in (although ridiculously lax forms of it). I like it offers a really good foundation of how to live your life as a jewish woman, while being a little more flexible with modern day pracitices and sensibilities.

Not that it doesn't have it's own insanities, too :)

Saving up money for aliyah makes me think this guy is legit from the get-go. While there are some monies associated in conversion and I wouldn't be surprised if some rabbis/synagogs charged because there are stupid greedy people everywhere, even my old rabbi who charged for everything didn't actually ask that much. Conversion is all about will and offering yourself not only to G-d but to the community. Not about how much you can pay.

*hugs* I'm glad you're pursuing this, love.

You need to do the conversion in connection with the Jewish community you want to join. The Reform and Conservative movements each have relatively systematic approaches to conversion, though I don't think Conservative Jews recognize Reform conversions (and Orthodox Jews don't recognize either, though both are valid from the perspective of the Israeli Law of Return and I can explain that paradox if you really want to know!) Both the Reform and Conservative movements have guides to conversion--books they want you to read, how many hours of instruction you should have and what you should know, stuff they want you to commit to, and a ritual involving a religious court of three observant Jews (usually rabbis, though not always) from their movement and a ritual bath or mikveh.

The only way to become a Jew is in relation to a community of people who recognize the authority of the beit din (religious court) who does the ritual with you and who believe that you do X,Y,Z to join the Jewish people. There will always be someone who doesn't approve of the way you did it, because that's the craziness you get into when you pursue Judaism.

I don't think that not asking for money makes the rabbi more legit, necessarily. Where would you do the beit din and mikveh? In Israel? Does this rabbi have a congregation? This post made me realize what a vulnerable situation you're in, so far away from a Jewish community.

Aw, poor kitty! I'm thinking good thoughts for her. And yay for you!!!

Also, if you need books and I have them, I'll send them. I have extra copies of Strassfeld's The Jewish Holidays and some others, just hanging around my house.

Oh man, I'm so glad you figured that out before you paid him any money! D: The new guy sounds great and I'm glad he's willing to be flexible and work with you on things like books (ohmygod so expensive). I'm a big fan of Masorti, too.

Holy cow, it's a good thing you found out about the ripoff before it was too late!

It's also fantastic news you found Hillel. Sounds like a good person.

it's a good thing you found out about the other guy before you gave him any money. i admit i don't know anything about the conversion process but the fact you had to pay for so much of it seemed kind of hinky. i mean, i imagine some money has to change hands somewhere at some point, but it seemed like he was asking for kind of a lot.

anyway! sounds like you found an honest rabbi to help you. which is cool. and i second his idea about saving up to visit israel someday - it's an amazing experience and i think it would help you feel really connected to your faith.

I'm so glad you've found an awesome rabbi, and one who'll work for free, at that! I follow these updates even if I don't comment. ;)

Hope your kitty is gonna be okay, and also not cost you a fortune. D:

Oh, I hope your cat gets better.