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Hello everyone, good morning
I am beginning my process of conversion (Gentile), so, any tips on study, routines and such would be much helpful. Also looking forward for another stories of people who converted, doubts then had.
HAve a great week, everyone.
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Hello AGCG and welcome to the forum.
Just to let you know, the first 3 posts are moderated to help keep out spam and bots.
Congrats on your conversion process!
What may I ask helped you make the decision to start?
I'm guessing you are working with a Rabbi or synagogue?
It should be a long process but one that is meaningful.
You really aren't joining a religion, you are joining a people.
There may be times when you feel discouraged or rejected but keep going forward if you are 100% sure this is right for you.
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(09-22-2020, 05:38 PM)searchinmyroots Wrote: Hello AGCG and welcome to the forum.
Just to let you know, the first 3 posts are moderated to help keep out spam and bots.
Congrats on your conversion process!
What may I ask helped you make the decision to start?
I'm guessing you are working with a Rabbi or synagogue?
It should be a long process but one that is meaningful.
You really aren't joining a religion, you are joining a people.
There may be times when you feel discouraged or rejected but keep going forward if you are 100% sure this is right for you.
Thank you.
Trying not to rant too much: I always had so many doubts on Christianism in general, but, being on a country that is strongly biased through catholicism and mainly protestanism, I just rolled that as lack of faith and moved on. My fiancee, on the other hand, had a devoted jewish great grandmother, but, when her mother converted to a protestant sect here, she shut down everything related to her heritage (according to her, her great grandmother always said she ran from the Palestine in the early 30s and settled here in Brazil). She always felt connected, but also shutted that down due to psychological pressure. Her mother passed, we met, engaged and had a daughter. She opened to me close to two months ago, and we began to make some basic readings. I never felt so connected to anything like I am. Every doubt that I had previously, things I felt inconsistent, unlike the nature I felt was close to God, it was all, like, explained.
I waited, made some research, because I did not wanted to begin this process if I did not felt true about this. Now I know I do. I obviously know I do not know nothing yet, but I do feel ready to learn, and to attach it to my present and future.
Due to Covid, I could not go physically to a synagogue yet. I tried to reach for the local Chabad, but I am still waiting for a reply. That is why I am looking for a guide of sorts, to guide me through some study beyond the geberal "rules" and the common topics (my non Hebrew name, circumcision, cover the hair in the case of my fiancee. Daily things, in general) until I have some reply, or I can go meet a Rabbi personally.
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Not ranting at all, thank you for sharing your journey!
Yes, I guess it is even more difficult now with Covid since you cannot meet in person. But reaching out ot the local Chabad was a great choice as they are usually very helpful and accomodating.
I would wait a week or so and then reach out again. Also, please remember this time of the year is very busy with all of the Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot!
This link might help - https://www.chabad.org/library/article_c...udaism.htm
They also have a lot of other articles if you put "conversion" in the search bar.
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I had no idea that it had so many holidays, I guess I chose the worst time possible to reach out for them, just my usual timing. Yes, I will wait for maybe two more weeks, for a quieter period.
I appreciate that link, I have read a lot of the local Chabad website, it never actually occurred to me to read the home version.
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Chabad can be a valuable resource, however it is not the only resource available to you and I would strongly advise that you not make it your only resource.
בקש שלום ורדפהו
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(09-23-2020, 11:20 AM)RabbiO Wrote: Chabad can be a valuable resource, however it is not the only resource available to you and I would strongly advise that you not make it your only resource.
I know, but it is the only synagogue option here in my city. I tried to look if there was options for a virtual meeting with a Rabbi abroad, but I could not find any, at least not on conventional Google.
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Welcome to the forum! First, be aware that Judaism does not make conversion easy....we try to dissuade people to make sure they really really know what they are getting into. My understanding is that Chabad itself does not do conversions, but will work with converts and refer them elsewhere for the actual conversion. I also understand it can be very difficult to convert in South America. So do not be surprised if you don't hear back from Chabad-you will have to be persistent-or if he tries to talk you out of it. Unlike Christianity, we don't believe that you have to be Jewish to be acceptable to G-d. So a rabbi often has a lessened desire to do conversions. What an interesting story your fiancee has. Is she reconnecting with her Jewish background?
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09-23-2020, 11:17 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-24-2020, 05:29 PM by robrecht.)
(09-22-2020, 07:58 PM)AGCG Wrote: ... I always had so many doubts on Christianism in general, but, being on a country that is strongly biased through catholicism and mainly protestanism, I just rolled that as lack of faith and moved on. ...
... I never felt so connected to anything like I am. ... Always follow your heart, together with your fiancée and daughter. Exciting times ahead. I don't want to bash Christianity, I really don't, but for me it is too rational, too simplistic, in comparison to the journey you are on. Thanks for sharing your story here.
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(09-23-2020, 10:06 PM)Chavak Wrote: Welcome to the forum! First, be aware that Judaism does not make conversion easy....we try to dissuade people to make sure they really really know what they are getting into. My understanding is that Chabad itself does not do conversions, but will work with converts and refer them elsewhere for the actual conversion. I also understand it can be very difficult to convert in South America. So do not be surprised if you don't hear back from Chabad-you will have to be persistent-or if he tries to talk you out of it. Unlike Christianity, we don't believe that you have to be Jewish to be acceptable to G-d. So a rabbi often has a lessened desire to do conversions. What an interesting story your fiancee has. Is she reconnecting with her Jewish background?
Yes, I am noticing that, since I got no answer at all. I am trying to use online resources to study, I began to read the Bereishit, but on my rhythm, trying to break as much of my previous thoughts as possible. If I have no reply until next month, I will try to call (and push away the feeling that I am invading a space that isn't mine). If not succeeded, well, I will try to find alternatives.
All by herself, but yes. Since her mom converted, everything related to her Jewish background was buried. Even the name of her great grandmother is being difficult to find. It is also a slow process for her, specially considering the amount of psychological repression her mom left her due to religion, but we are trying to move together, one step at a time.
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