Conversion

We at Congregation Beth Israel, and within the Reform Movement, welcome and support those who choose to explore Judaism. Jews by Choice are a gift to our people and to our community. 

While each person’s path into Jewish life is unique, there are some shared questions and experiences.  We hope to help you find answers to your basic questions. Read more about conversion in the Reform Jewish Community.

We encourage you to make yourself at home here at Congregation Beth Israel. Please explore all aspects of our Synagogue Community.  We invite you to attend Shabbat Services, Torah Study, and events.

If you are considering conversion to Judaism…

Our  Living a Jewish Life class conveys information on the major aspects of Judaism.  If you are considering converting, you must complete this two semester course. However, completion of the Living a Jewish Life course does not constitute a conversion.  In addition to completing the course, students must meet with a Rabbi, students will choose either Rabbi Folberg or Rabbi Levy to serve as their mentor. A conversion ceremony will be scheduled after completion of both semesters, all assignments have been completed and turned in, and meetings with your mentor have been completed.  For more information about our Living a Jewish Life Class, click here.

Some students enroll in the class at the start of their conversion process, while others prefer to meet with Rabbi Folberg or Rabbi Levy before taking the course.  If you would like to schedule a meeting with either Rabbi, please reach out to Trish Ivey.

If the course is being taken for conversion in preparation for a Jewish marriage, we strongly encourage both partners to enroll and take the course together.

Becoming a member of the Jewish community is an important part of becoming Jewish, so we expect conversion students to join the Synagogue at some point prior to formal conversion. For membership information, please contact Pam Hanna either by email: phanna@bethisrael.org or by phone at 512-454-6806.