Jewish rabbis ignore my calls. Is this normal?

1. 93

   peeplesposted 10 years ago

   Jewish rabbis ignore my calls. Is this normal?
   
   I've heard it can be hard to convert officially but I have called the two temples closest to me and left a message. I have also emailed both two times over the last two months. NO RESPONSE. I get that some like to discourage so they will deny conversion but is just plain out ignoring a normal part of the process. I don't want to be a stalker!

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2. 88

   MizBejabbersposted 10 years ago

   Not being Jewish, I couldn't answer for them, but a Jewish friend once told me that Jews don't proselytize like Christians do, and they think the Christian's Great Commission is pushy. Maybe the rabbis want to see you attend temple to test your sincerity first.

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3. 60

   Maggie Bennettposted 10 years ago

   Yes, it is normal.  Conversion to Judaism isn't just about religion it is also adopting a whole bunch of cultural customs.
   
   They will keep on denying you too.  There are different branches of Judaism some more liberal than others.  All however, will deny you.  It is test of your persistence as to whether or not they will take you seriously.

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   1. 93

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      By blood I am Jewish. Do you know if that counts for anything? Am I suppose to just keep calling. It seems that would make me look bad. However I really want to speak with them.

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   2. 0

      Deborah Sextonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Are both your parents a Jew or just one? If just one which one?

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   3. 93

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Just my mother

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   4. 0

      Deborah Sextonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Then you are already Jewish and there is no need to convert.
      Just go to Temple if you can find one.

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   5. 93

      peeplesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      But I have never been. So I don't know protocol. Which was why I was hoping the rabbi would return my calls.

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   6. 0

      Deborah Sextonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I am Jewish. If your mother is, you are. Once Jewish always Jewish no getting out of it. I know what I am saying. You are from birth. Your mother makes you Jewish.
      http://www.chabad.org/library/article_c … nverts-Sti

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4. 0

   Deborah Sextonposted 10 years ago

   Please note that if your mother was Jewish before you were born, whether observant or not, then by Jewish Law you are also Jewish, and you do not need to convert. Please contact an Orthodox Rabbi for guidance.
   When a Gentile wants to become Jewish, the Rabbis are required to try to dissuade him. Only the very sincere make it through the entire process. And the process can take a long while. It may not turn out to be easy
   
   Most Rabbis are not qualified to work with potential converts, and there are some qualified Rabbis who are too busy to do it or are incapable for other reasons. So don't be offended if the Rabbi you call pushes you off with what sounds like an excuse. The excuse may be real.
   And when you find a Rabbi that works in conversions, he's not going to make it easy for you, because Jewish Law says he must continue to dissuade you, and he will do so by various means. He may push you off a few times, he may not show up for scheduled meetings; there's no telling what he will do to test your sincerity and perseverance. If you are sincere, don't give up. Keep on politely calling or meeting with the Rabbi, until something happens. The Rabbi is following the Torah's Law, so if you give up you can't blame the Rabbi.
   
   
   It is important that you understand another fact. If you want to have a proper conversion to Judaism, it must be done through Orthodox Rabbis. By Jewish Law, any conversion done by any other means is invalid. This is no small matter.
   
   Worldwide Orthodox Synagogue Network
   http://www.ou.org/network/synagogues/synagogues.cfm
   
   The Chabad-Lubavitch Worldwide Directory
   http://www.chabad.org/centers/default.asp?AID=6268

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