Book Description
Married to a convert herself, Anita Diamant provides advice and information that can transform the act of conversion into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Here you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, a Hebrew name; how to handle the difficulty of putting aside Christmas; what happens at the mikvah (ritual bath) or at a hatafat dam brit (circumcision ritual for those already circumcised); how to find your footing in a new spiritual family that is not always well prepared to receive you; and how not to lose your bonds to your family of origin. Diamant anticipates all the questions, doubts, and concerns, and provides a comprehensive explanation of the rules and rituals of conversion.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely wonderful book!.......2007-09-22
This is a great book. It explained a lot of things for me when I was contemplating conversion. After making my decision, I actually gave the book to my mom to help her understand my decision.
I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking about converting.
Best for people who are converting because of marriage.......2007-09-15
This book reads well and eases fears about conversion. However, I think it is a better choice for those converting due to marriage.
useful information.......2007-02-17
This book has a lot of useful information for conversion. The only drawback was that it was written for people converting for a partner who is Jewish. Not all people convert for this reason so it is not a one size fits all conversion book.
1st book.......2007-02-08
This is the first book on the "conversion process" I read. I know some people take issue with Diamant, but this book was a great introduction to the subject. It made the whole thing seem approachable and possible. It really helped me.
Cannot be the only book you read...........2006-12-17
I give this book five stars but I want to say that it cannot be the only book a potential convert reads. The reason I give it such a high rating is because it is a nice primer for the process and how to deal with Christmas. Most people on their way to Jewry are told "okay, by the way, no more Christmas" but this book deals with how psychologically hard it can be to forfeit up something so engrained in the American psyche as Christmas.
The potential Jew must also get themselves an introduction to Hebrew, a good Tanakh, an introduction to Talmud (Everyman's Talmud is very good) and a good book on how to live an observant Jewish life (To be a Jew is good for this). Converts must also ask their rabbi if there is any other books the rabbi would like them to read.
This book is indespinsable because of how it clearly describes what a hafat dam brit or mikvah are like and also the importance of a convert's Hebrew name. Many converts have no idea what a real mikvah will be like and I LOVE the way this book goes into it.
Overall I definately believe everyone going into Reform, Conservative or Reconstructionist Judaism should read this. It does have a very evident slant towards Reform but I find it WONDERFUL and I am most likely going to go through a conservative conversion.
Book Description
In print for over 20 years, Choosing Judaism has become a classic guide for individuals considering conversion. By sharing her own story, Lydia Kukoff has created a truly remarkable work about what it means to make this significant choice. Kukoff gives the reader a fresh perspective on the issues that face converts every day: dealing with your non-Jewish and Jewish family, creating your own Jewish community, and looking toward the future in your new Jewish faith. Years after her own conversion, she continues to question, grow, and learn, and encourages others to do the same.
Choosing Judaism is an essential resource for every convert to Judaism, people just beginning their own journeys of becoming Jewish, and their loved ones.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely wonderful.......2007-06-06
My boyfriend is going to start classes and begin his conversion in September. I bought two copies of this wonderful book so that we could read it together. It gave me insight into what the conversion process would be like for me and how I could support his journey. It also discussed the role of our families. In addition to being an easy read, the book was informative.
Thinking about conversion.......2006-03-17
This is an easy read, a how-to with some of the author's own story and a lot of quotes of others. I like it because it captures problems in talking to families about a big step that affects their feelings too. For all the books on conversion, there aren't many that talk about forming a community for yourself. That's important. It was worth buying, especially on sale.
Not a Jew, just Reading..........2004-10-26
I read this book because I have a friend who just converted. Anyway, this book helped me understand where she is coming from. This book has a lot of quotes by other converted Jews [not just the author] who either had it real hard by having to tell others and make other understand why they chose Judaism, or why they can't do Christmas anymore. It was about how relationships changed from a Jewish man and his non-Jewish girlfriend to his now completely Jewish relationship with his totally convert Jewish girlfriend. The relationships changed in that converts tend to be more "Jewish" than born-Jews. Born Jews take their lifestyle for granted living the life we live in America, yet converted Jews are all into eating Kosher, talking about Judaism, knowing the history, teaching what they just learned etcetera. It was about how Jewish in-laws would get annoyed because the converted daughter-in-law knew more than the mother-in-law, etc. So, this book is a bunch of people telling tidbits of memories they have while converting to Judaism.
Enjoyed it very much.......2004-07-11
I am a bit surprised about the other reviews, and since I checked out the Amazon reviews before reading the book, I decided not to buy it and instead borrowed it from the library. I will buy it now, not because it is a "must have" reference book - it is not- but because it left me with such a nice feeling I want to have the book in my new and growing Jewish library.
I am attending an Intro to Judaism class and I am considering conversion. I am reading others books as well, as required by my Rabbi. BECOMING JEWISH by Rabbi Ronald H. Isaacs is the "nuts and bolts" of conversion type of book, if you are looking for one. It goes into detail about the conversion ceremony itself, and key info about the whole process. It is true that Lydia Kukoff's book is not this kind of "nuts and bolts" book (although it does address some of the basic steps), but this is precisely why I don't sit down and enjoy reading the Isaacs book, I just refer to it as I need to, while I did truly enjoy reading Lydia Kukoff's book.
I enjoyed all the quotes through out the book of feelings expressed by other people going through the conversion process. Many of them spoke to my heart and reflected some of my own feelings, others were much different from my experience but I enjoyed learning about them too.
Unlike the other reviewers, I enjoyed that the book is short and I don't agree that it is a "light and simple" read. I found myself stopping many times to ponder my feelings and delve a little deeper into this intense process that is religious conversion: to take on a new aspect of your identity. I did finish it in two days, but I am still thinking about it and things I read in it.
So if you are considering conversion, do not write off this book. At least borrow it from the library and see if it speaks to your sensibilities.
I also recommend To Live! by Rabbi Kushner. A wonderful book for the seeker and for the born-Jew alike.
"Where people truly wish to go, there their feet will manage to take them"
( From the Talmud, quoted in Kukoff's CHOOSING JUDAISM)
Not the book to read on the subject.......2001-11-18
This was the very first book I read on the subject, when my (now) husband and I were just beginning to discuss marriage. We had been learning about our religious traditions to see if we could create a family together. I read this book as the very first step toward the consideration of conversion. What a mistake. This book, though it does its best to try to make you feel one with Jewish people (which of course is very important), also served to make me feel that the decision to do so would pretty much alienate me from my spiritual past and my own family. And the book does not attempt to deal with this alienation, except for a few suggestions about how to incorporate your parents into life cycle ceremonies. For anyone who has mainly positive memories about their own family, their own religious upbringing and religious Christian holidays, this is not the book to read. It only served to make me feel the pain of what I would lose rather than the joy of what I would gain. I highly recommend Anita Diamant's book on the same subject, Choosing a Jewish Life. I found it much more positive and full of much more useful information.
Book Description
Over the years, Rabbi Bernice Kimel Weiss has shepherded hundreds of non-Jewish students into the family of the Jewish people. For most, the interest in Judaism is sparked by a decision to marry a Jewish man or woman. But that is only the beginning. In the gentle hands of a teacher who has witnessed and understands their turmoil, their conflicts, their tears, they bare their personal struggles. What emerge are amazing, powerful, soul-stirring stories of re-creation - the extraordinary adventure of becoming a Jew at the turn of the 21st century.
An Asian-American whose father owns a Japanese restaurant marries a secular Jew but leads him to Orthodox Judaism; a Belgian raised by nuns meets a Jew and finds her faith in Israel; a former Sunday school teacher from a small farm town falls in love with a Jewish girl and with her faith as well; an African-American woman lawyer, a Harvard graduate, discovers Judaism and keeps kosher in a small southern town: their varied stories and eight more are revealed in these pages. The twists and turns and the direction their lives ultimately take are a source of inspiration to those contemplating Judaism, and to all in search of faith. They are a gift to the Jewish people.
Customer Reviews:
compassionate look at the conversion process.......2006-01-15
I really liked this book. The author tells the story of several people who convert, most but not all in the context of relationships with a Jew. Some people had strong religious backgrounds, while others had little exposure to organized religion. A couple had abusive childhoods. There are stories of an African-American woman and a Japanese-American woman who convert.
One thing I really liked about this book is that the author had something positive to say about each convert. She also presented the process as a period of study of Judaism, rather than a demand for immediate conversion. One of the women described here may never convert because of her difficulty giving up the belief in the divinity of Jesus. Interestingly enough, marrying converts caused some of the born Jews to become more religious and a couple chose Orthodoxy.
This book is great for anyone interested in becoming a Jew-by-Choice.
fast moving stories of faith.......2000-10-30
The book is very fast moving with personal testament from people who converted to Judaism. Some of these people wanted to create a more spiritual environment for the spouse and future family. Some never found meaning in their own religion. I think that the interesting part is that the stories are so personal and real. It's possible to relate.
Amazon.com
"Choosing My Religion," Stephen Dubner's 1996 cover story for The New York Times Magazine, described his conversion from Catholicism to Judaism. The drama and complexity of Dubner's conversion were intensified by the author's unusual religious history: before Dubner was born, his parents had made an equal and opposite conversion from Judaism to Catholicism. Dubner's memoir, Turbulent Souls, expands the story he first told in the Times essay. In the book's prelude, Dubner explains that he began his wandering toward conversion in the 1980s when he moved to New York City, "the most Jewish city outside of Israel."
There a certain disquietude began to take root inside me. I could not name this force, but neither could I make it leave me. And so I followed the noise inside my soul, and before long it led me back to my parents. I became consumed with a desire to know how a pair of young Jews named Florence Greenglass and Sol Dubner had become my Catholic parents.
Turbulent Souls is full of loving, witty anecdotes about his childhood in rural New York state (he refers to Mrs. Ferry, a catechism teacher who gave him Doublemint gum, as "Blessed Angel of the Sugar Deprived") and his efforts in adulthood to reconstruct both his and his parents' pasts. The best reason to read this book is Dubner's well-balanced thirst for explanation and reverence for mystery; it's a model of the equilibrium every one of us has to attain if we want to make peace with our families, our home towns, and our selves. --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Choosing My Religion is a luminous memoir, crafted with the eye of a journalist and the art of a novelist by New York Times Magazine writer and editor Stephen J. Dubner. By turns comic and heartbreaking, it tells the story of a family torn apart by religion, sustained by faith, and reunited by truth.
Customer Reviews:
That's Using The Ol' Goycup!.......2005-10-19
Dubner's highly interesting family history frames the tale of his own decision to "return home" to his Jewish roots, after his parents, both raised as traditional Jews, converted to Roman Catholicism in their unmarried days. His parents bring up Stephen Dubner and his siblings as deeply-devout Catholics, and all-but turn their backs on their own heritage after the time of their conversion. Dubner tells of about his life growing up attending Mass and living in suburbia in the 1960's and '70's, and about how he gradually took notice of the deep pull within him that directed him to reunite with the Jewish faith after his return to New York City following his college years in the south and elsewhere. He stresses that his return to Judaism was not a conversion, it was a restoration of who he truly always was. A uniquely interesting tale, told with honesty.
Excellent Transaction.......2005-09-08
Fine price, treasure of a hard cover book in new condition. I could not be more pleased!
A Fascinating Spiritual Journey.......2003-10-15
Turbulent Souls gives a fine account of the many journeys that took place within the Dubner Family Tree. Stephen Dubner traces his family roots which amazingly were rooted in Judaism. Its quite interesting how both of Stephen's parents became Catholics. In the case of Stephen's father, Sol(later Paul)it seemed as if he was rebelling against his overbearing father. Paul's story shows you that you cannot force feed religion into a young soul trying to emerge.
As for Stephen's mother, Florence(later Veronica) the religious influence was fairly weak at home. Not to mention any sort of guidance as Veronica recalls rarely spending time at home during her teen years. Therefore, Veronica became a willing convert.
Very compelling is the effects this dual conversion had upon this future couples family. In Judaism very often a period of mourning takes place and surely Paul became lost to his original family. Amazingly Paul and Veronica seemd to become perfect Catholics to the point of almost totally denying any past affiliation with their Jewish roots.
Stephen's life goes through many turbulent periods. His exposure to the Catholic religion is a lot at first. Whereas he does not reject these teachings, over time Stephen develops other interests most notably the desire to become a musician. Like his parents, he encounters people who encourage him to explore his roots. When he finally does, Stephen becomes enamored with his family history and researches his roots to the point of exploring towns which were touched by the Holocaust.
In spite of the difference of opinion with his mother's own spiritual path, Stephen is able to keep this relationship positive. Furthermore, he creates strong bonds with other family members both Catholic and Jewish. Whereas Stephen's articles meet with feedback both good and bad, at least our hero can say he was able to evolve spiritually while touching others along the way.
I highly recommend this biography which interweaves the spiritual journey of a family over the course of this past century.
A spiritual journey for any religion.......2003-05-08
I was raised Catholic and really not happy with the Church so I was a little wary of the book when it came time to read it for my book club. I could not have been more wrong about how this book would affect me! It was absolutely wonderful. The author was able to write with detail without being long-winded. The feelings that he had about his religions/cultures, both Catholic and Jewish I could relate to by the way he wrote. With each step in his spiritual journey I felt like I was cheering him on to find out what his truth was and where he felt he belonged in his religious life. It gave me many things to ponder both from what he wrote and what he quoted from others, Jewish and Catholic. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who is unsure of their faith. It will not answer your questions, but it will help you answer them on your own. It is also a wonderful book for anyone with a strong faith of their own.
Growing up Catholic.......2003-02-24
I have to say the main reason I bought this book was because I too am from the little town The Dubner's lived in and I remember Stephen since he was my youngest brother's age and the thing everyone knew about his family was that they were probably the most devout catholic's in our area so it was very interesting to learn of his families true roots. I had no clue of his lineage since as Steve describes our town was not very diverse for the most part it was an all white community in the middle of nowhere anyone new was noticed right away and everyone knew what everyone else was up to there is the Our Lady of Fatima church and 3 other presbyterian and episcopalian churches in the area but no temples. I had no clue until reading this book that he had such an interesting lineage and I applaud the fact that he chose to find out about and return to his heritage it took alot of courage to defy his mother on this subject!!!! I only hope that now he has found the answers he was looking for and lives a long and happy life!!!!!!
Customer Reviews:
An excellent Assessment that should be a primer for Rabbis.......2007-04-17
When I lived in New York, I learned from Rabbi Angel during his Rambam classes at the Spanish Portuguese synagogue in New York and I will say that I truly respect his perspective in both class and in this book. Choosing to Be Jewish by Rabbi Marc Angel takes one through the historical and legal issues that revolve around the conversion process in Judaism. This book also covers the Orthodox format of such and the issues concerning conversions through other methods.
Yet, most important this is a person book that not only laments the problems that exist in some areas of how it is carried out today but it also covers the reliability of the process in the Orthodox community. Rabbi Angel provides stories of conversations that were successful due to a balanced approach to the process as well as the stories of the people who either returned to a lively and vibrant Judaism because of the process or who became observant Jews due to the process. He also does not bow to any pressure to assume that their is a problem in the tenants of Orthodox conversions, but Rabbi Angel deals with the reasons that a fresh look at how potential Geirim (Converts) should be handled.
As has been mentioned before this book is not meant to be a strict 1, 2, 3 this is how you convert, it is meant to help both those who convert and those who would convert them understand the Orthodox perspective, and some of the problems that exist with some of situations. So even though it is not a 1, 2, 3 how to it can help a potential convert understand the issues thus helping avoid shame or major problems. The book also gives pieces written by people who have completed the conversion process to Judaism, and their personal stories. These stories include people who found out that they had Jewish ancestry as well as people who converted for the sake of living as a Jew dedicated to God and the Torah.
I think anyone who studying to become a Rabbi should have this book as required reading. I also believe it should be required reading for anyone wanting to convert to Judaism.
A much-needed view of conversion.......2006-10-31
Rabbi Angel addresses problems in the current system of conversion. The Talmud says that rabbis should push a convert away with the weaker left hand and draw them nearer with the stronger right hand, but nowadays many rabbis are apparently left-handed! Many converts perceive much more pushing away than being drawn near.
This book is not a "how to" guide for converts as much as a discussion of Rabbi Angel's philosophy of conversion for Orthodox rabbis and interested laiety. This is the second modern critique of the conversion system; the first was published by a left-wing Orthodox organization and could therefore have no effect. By contrast, Rabbi Angel is a true moderate, respected across the entire political spectrum, and his book could make a difference.
A Much Needed Book.......2006-10-30
This is a book that is much needed today. The non-Orthodox movements of Judaism publish tons of material on conversion or for their converts. Those who desire to convert via the Orthodox route have a much smaller selection of resources which are available to them.
Rabbi Angel discusses conversion not only as a halachaic recipe; but as a process that involves many aspects -- most importantly, a non-Jew that has an incredible pull to become Jewish. Well clearly stating that Judaism does not seek out converts, Rabbi Angel also makes it clear that Orthodox rabbis should not completely shut them out either; which can cause the situation of them turning to non-Orthodox (hence non-halachaic) congregations for conversions. This only fuels the problem of having "Jewish identifying gentiles" caught up in this hopeless limbo status in Judaism (and for women, their children as well).
Rabbi Angel also does not skirt around the issue of the desire to convert after getting romantically involved with a Jew; a gray area that is a reality in modern Jewish life. A very helpful feature of this book are all of the personal essays from people who underwent an Orthodox conversion; many which have the person in a relationship with a Jew. These stories can give a convert-to-be a lot of encouragement and strength that they otherwise would not be able to get.
As much as I like this book, especially for presenting the crucial topics regarding Orthodox conversion, I could not give it 5 stars because in my experience (I've been pursuing Orthodox conversion for around 2 years), most Rabbis do not really share his attitude towards conversion. So while it's nice to read about how he handles conversion, there are no suggestions or help for the general reader of this book who may be faced with a more difficult* Rabbi and Beis Din (* - "difficult" meaning non-encouraging, or helpful. I am not implying at all the Rabbi Angel oversees conversions that are not up to the strictest halachaic standards, chas v'shalom). It is sorely lacking on practicalities. So basically, this book stands in as a "nice, bound companion"; and collection of very encouraging words and stories. But it provides no resources, no real suggestions to the reader as to how to make those "first steps", and no book list (which you REALLY surprised me...considering the subject matter, and many readers will just be starting their journey into Judaism). It seems that this book really should be paired together with "Becoming a Jew" by Maurice Lamm; and older book, but a book which is much more complete with practical suggestions.
Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who has even pondered converting to Orthodox Judaism. It is no-nonsense and straightforward. It answers a lot of questions that many converts-to-be stuggle to find the answers to.
A history of conversion and community relationships.......2006-03-18
Every year thousands around the world convert to Judaism: Orthodox rabbi Marc Angel makes the case for conversion and discusses Jewish laws relating to it in CHOOSING TO BE JEWISH: THE ORTHODOX ROAD TO CONVERSION. Chapters discuss both the history of conversion and its halakhic community relationships, presenting Orthodoxy approaches to conversion which is designed to help maintain Jewish community unity.
Product Description
The book is an evergreen introduction to Judaism, useful for Jews and non-Jews alike. It is useful for self-study and for guided study or study with a teacher. Pages i-x and 172. Cover is 8" x 5 3/8". Pages are 7 7/8" x 5".
Average customer rating:
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Choosing a Sex Ethic a Jewish Inquiry
Borowitz
Manufacturer: Schocken Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| Philosophy
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Theology
| Judaism
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0805202765 |
Product Description
From the book's Foreword: "A pioneering study into the decision-making process that underlies a conversion into Judaism and into the ethnoreligious character of the families so formed."
Average customer rating:
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CHOOSING JUDAISM
Manufacturer: Union of American Hebrew
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H3RFL2 |
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