Considering converting to Judaism?

As a rabbi, I have the great honor and joy of mentoring individuals who have decided to embrace Judaism and to “cast their lot” with the Jewish people. The name of the program I have created for this purpose is “Living the Jewish Year (LTJY)”. Below are my basic requirements for becoming a Jew by Choice under my guidance.

Living the Jewish Year Involves...

Making a declaration of intention to prepare for conversion to Judaism.
Formal study of Judaism in an introduction to Judaism course or something equivalent. I recommend the Exploring the Jewish Experience Course offered by my organization, Shabbat with Friends NM which is both online and in-person. Learn More
A basic familiarity with Sabbath and Jewish festivals, home and dietary practices, and “the Jewish way of life in general.” If one has little exposure to Jewish life, the Living the Jewish Year program offers a participant a year of mentoring by me as you experience the full breadth of the Jewish way of life.
Included in participation in the LTJY program are 10 monthly group meetings with other participants in the program and at least 6 one on one meetings with Rabbi Dov. These serve as valuable opportunities to respond to absorbing Jewish culture and religious practices, your own family dynamics, and other personal issues that arise when going through this intense process.
After these studies and intentional experiences, the conversion candidate can choose to undergo the rituals of conversion to Judaism. These include appearing before a rabbinic court - 'Beit Din' of 3 rabbis, immersion in a mikveh (kosher ritual bath), and for men, circumcision or symbolic circumcision.
All in all, the LTJY program is a full year. The amount of time it takes to complete this process is based on your background, family situation, experience with Judaism, and personal commitments.

Please feel free to make an in-person or Zoom meeting with me If you have questions about conversion to Judaism and are interested in exploring the Living the Jewish Year program.

Below is some more information about my work with converts to Judaism over my rabbinic career.

I have decades of experience mentoring Jews by Choice. Over my career as a rabbi, which began in 1981, I have guided over 500 people on their journeys to becoming Jewish. I am a Conservative Rabbi and follow the standards of the Conservative Movement on conversion to Judaism.

I have mentored individuals, couples, and families. I have worked with people coming from a wide variety of faith backgrounds, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, and secular individuals.

I strongly recommend that if you have a Jewish partner, that he or she be involved in your process of conversion in some form. It has been my experience that a partner’s involvement enables a couple to ‘process’ the learning and identity changes that take place over time. If children are in the picture, it also helps a couple to crystallize their views on childrearing and their ideas about the transmission of cultural, religious, and ethical values.

B’hatzlachah, (May your journey be successful.)