We serve a wide array of individuals, including the needs of potential Jews by Choice and their spouses/significant others, non-Jews raising Jewish children, and born Jews who wish to learn more about their heritage. In order to serve our diverse student population more effectively, it is helpful to know something about the background of those enrolled in the program. Please briefly describe what occasioned your interest in the course (You may attach another sheet of paper if you need additional space)
Please read the information below and sign.
Completion of the Introduction to Judaism course fulfills the basic study component of the conversion process, but does not itself constitute actual conversion, which can only be accomplished by ritual immersion (tevilah), and where applicable, ritual circumcision (brit milah) or its symbolic equivalent (hatafat dam brit) in the presence of a duly constituted rabbinical court (bet din).
Enrolment does not require a commitment to conversion or a sponsoring rabbi. Candidates for conversion, however, must have a rabbinic sponsor.
While the program provides a uniform approach to the study of basic Judaism, preparation for conversion varies from sponsor to sponsor and individual to individual. Please note that the length of the preparatory period prior to conversion is not coterminous with the length of the course. It is ultimately the rabbinic sponsor that determines the length and character of the preparatory period.
Jewish spouses or significant others of those registered for the class are strongly encouraged to attend each session with his/her partner. In cases of conversion mandatory attendance of spouses or significant others is at the discretion of the rabbinic sponsor.
Attendance at each session is vital to the integrity of the overall program, and it is expected. Those who miss any class should make up the material through work to be assigned by the instructor. Furthermore, an attendance rate of at least 75% is expected to receive a Certificate of Completion.
The fee for Congregation Etz Chayim Members who wish to take this class is $210.
For those who plan to convert the fee is $720, however, if a Jewish partner is a full paying member (so that the entire household is included as a membership unit), this fee can be waived.
Please send completed registration form and payments to: Congregation Etz Chayim
If you have any questions or comments please contact Rabbi Kliel @ 204.589.6305