Convert to Judaism

So far I’m still reading the book Jewish Literacy. It’s a lot easier read than the Torah is…

By the time I finish reading the Torah I’ve forgotten a lot about what I read in the beginning of the book.

Jewish Literacy pulls things together by telling you all the facts.

People doubt my sincerity in converting to Judaism because they think it will be too difficult for me to let go of past beliefs.

I worry that the people who act as though they’ll accept my choice to convert are only doing so because they think it’s just a phase and I quickly move on to obsessing about something else.

What if I do convert Then what?

I’d hate for the people I’m closest to to suddenly…I don’t even what to think of how badly that could go especially with the hard core Christians in my family.

I’m honestly unsure of myself. Back in March I called a Synagogue just to see if I’d be welcomed and it went well. The woman I spoke with told me the time of services, what to wear, and required reading (Jewish Literacy :).

I’m just afraid of attending,,, I don’t like being under scrutiny and crowds make me nervous. But I’m mostly afraid of messing up because this is the only synagogue near me…If I screw up I have no other synagogue to go to.

Blah…I’ll get the courage from somewhere but first I’ll finish that thousand paged book as a starting point. I also have to save up money to convert.

Everything costs something these days sigh. Even if the conversion is free the study materials probably won’t be. I’m just lucky I have a great library at my disposal at which I got Jewish Literacy.

So far I’m also trying to learn biblical hebrew at this site http://www.animatedhebrew.com/ It has everything!

Wish me luck,
BrishenAlston

Being raised by parents without any religious background, I was always encouraged to be my own person, be informed, and make decisions to become who I want to be without anyone putting any pressure on me to choose a specific walk of life. I have been invited to and attended several gatherings and services for various religions and divisions of religions. Now, being 22 going on 23 this year, engaged and ready to start my own family and move on with my adult life, I can confidently say that I would like to pursue a Jewish life and thusly raise my family as such.

My father’s side of the family is Jewish and my mother was raised catholic, but doesn’t practice. My parents have always told my brother and I that we could choose what we wanted to be. My freshman year of high school, I decided to convert to Judaism. The problem was that the one temple nearby only has reform services Friday night and conservative services Saturday morning (which my dad said I might not be welcomed at), and during the fall, marching in the band at football games on Friday nights and competing on Saturdays took up the only times I could go. Fortunately, there is an on-campus temple at UConn, which I will be attending this fall. Also, with the college band rehearsing until 6 on Fridays, I will have time to make it to the 7 o’ clock service. I know that I won’t be able to complete the entire process during my time at school, but I’m hoping that it will give me a good start. Wish me luck!!

Because the Jewish people are so disciplined I think they can accomplish anything. They ask a lot of themselves in the name of religion. I admire them for their devotion to God…that’s why I want to become Jewish.

I once heard it said the God never asks something of you that is impossible for you to accomplish. If that’s true then I am capable of being Jewish even if it’s not easy initially.

Learning about Judaism is a summer goal of mine as I will have a lot of free time.

So far I been told to read Jewish Literacy:The Most Important Things to Know About the Jewish Religion, Its People and Its History BY: Joseph Telushkin

I didn’t have enough time to read such a thick book during the school year but summer will definitely give me time to read it.

I am new to this site and my main aim is to convert to Judaism.

I like the fact that they celebrate the past and the present in their holidays. I like the fact there’s a whole other language to it such as Hebrew. I’m curious about Kosher. I like the idea of giving more of myself over to God by listening closer to him…I mean going beyond just ten commandments. I love the rituals that breath meaning into life.

So far I’m simply reading books on the subject and am not entirely sure what I’m getting myself into but I still plan on going to a rabbi this summer.

Last night was rather spectacular. I was nervous, but in retrospect I did not have to be.

First of all our Cantor in Residence was there. She comes one weekend a month. She has a fabulous voice and is one of those people that you just want to be around.

Very early in last nights Shabbat service I was called to the Bimah. The Rabbi explained to the congregation a short bit about my conversion process. He asked me several questions that I had to answer with a yes or no. Easy stuff, but highly symbolic.

Next Rabbi took out the Torah from the Ark.
He handed the Torah to me and had me recite the Shema “Shema Yisrael Adonai eloheinu Adonai ehad”. My legs were shaking. This was my very first time to hold the Torah. It was a powerful experience and I was close to tears. Tears of joy.

The Torah was placed back in the Ark. Next I was presented with a very nice document signed by my Beit Din court members. It lists my chosen Hebrew name Yuri and is a beautiful piece of work that I will have framed soon.

The Temple Sisterhood was to present me with a gift of a Mezuzah. The sisterhood member that stepped up to do so, by total chance, was the very same person that greeted me on my first visit to Temple B’nai Israel She was the first person there that ever said hello, shook my hand and talked to me. If that is not a powerful thing, then I don’t know what is. We were both teary eyed. I looked out to the congregation and my wife was crying.

The Rabbi gave me a huge hug. He and I have a wonderful chemistry and you can tell that we both enjoy each others company. He is a wonderful man and I am very proud and happy to know him.

After that I was given a very loud “Mazel Tov” by everyone in the congregation. I walked to my seat and enjoyed my very first Shabbat as a Jewish man.

An Oneg (sort of like a gathering with snacks and punch) followed. I had dozens of people come up to me to give me their congratulations. Many mentioned that they had not known that I was not a born Jew! That made me feel pretty awesome in itself.

The last three days have been extremely powerful, emotional and transformative. Words fail me in my attempt to express how happy I am right now. This has been one of the best things that I have ever done.

I am truly blessed.

What a great experience I had today. After the Beit Din yesterday, I got to go the the Mikveh this evening. I was accompanied by one of the people that sat on the Beit Din and the Rabbi.

After a shower, I entered the Mikveh pool. It was a little strange at first, being naked in front of clothed men, but I got past that quickly. The water was very warm and I was totally comfortable.

Rabbi read from the book of Ruth, the most well known Convert to Judaism.
“Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried”

Ruth, a Moabite and the
great-grandmother of King David,
who chose to convert to Judaism.
(Ruth 1:16-17)

I went underwater once and was completely submerged and pulled my feet off the bottom to make sure nothing was between me and the water.

Next we said several prayers in Hebrew and repeated in English.

I went underwater for a second time, completely submerged. At this point I began to feel goosebumps. I surfaced.

Another prayer and the final submerging.

As I came up I was greeted with a wondrous “Mazel Tov” from the witness and the Rabbi.

At this point it is official. I have accomplished this life long goal. I am Jewish.

I actually feel different. I really do. Tomorrow night will be a very special Shabbat. My first Shabbat as a Jewish man. I will be called up to the Bimah and get to hold the Torah for the very first time.

I could not be happier.

I am writing this from Cloud 9! I passed the Beit Din. There was never a question, really, but this meant so much to me that I was very nervous.

The “Court of Three” and I sat down and had about a 45 minute discussion. They could not have been more gracious and accommodating.

They asked questions, then follow up questions. Their job is to make sure that I am sincere in my wish to convert.

This was a great experience. Really wonderful. I could not be happier right now and feel as though I am floating on a cloud.

Tomorrow is my trip to the Mikveh at 5:30, then on Shabbat I will go up on the Bimah and get to hold the Torah for the very first time in my life.

Life is good.

Tomorrow is the Beit Din and I am very nervous. I have so much riding on this. I keep going over possible questions, what I would answer. With that being said, I look forward to doing this. It will be a memory that I will cherish always.

Wish me luck.