Although always rewarding, being Jewish is often not easy. Properly followed, Judaism touches every aspect of your life and living. No more cheeseburgers, no more Friday nights out on the town, no more gossiping behind another person's back. Every thought, action, and choice take on profound meaning in relation to God and the worldwide community of the Jewish people.
So, why would any one want to take on all of these responsibilities, if not obligated to by birth? Every year, thousands of people around the world give up their previous religions to join the Jewish faith on their own accord. They are called "Jews by Choice" and, while each individual comes to Judaism for various reasons, an underlying and unifying purpose lies in the beauty and meaning of the Jewish way of life. Along with the various responsibilities of assuming the Jewish faith, the convert enjoys the magnificence of ancient rituals, as well as the personal satisfaction that comes along with attaching meaning to daily tasks and actions.
It must be said that the path to conversion is not simple or short. Typically, the process takes approximately one year of intense study and spiritual preparation. The length of time and course of study vary by the movement through which one converts. The Reform movement is the most liberal movement of Judaism, while the Orthodox movement is the most literally observant of the 613 mitzvot. The Conservative movement lies somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. There are several other branches of Judaism, but these are the main three.
But, before choosing a religious movement, the potential convert must look deep within his or her soul in order to decide whether this major commitment is something that can be lived with for the rest of his or her life. Many issues come up during this process, including important questions like:
How will my family deal with my choice?
Am I ready to completely give up my previous faith?
How will I raise my children?
Can I accept all of the responsibilities of being Jewish?
Why am I considering conversion?
Oftentimes, individuals want to convert to Judaism in order to marry a chosen mate. Intermarriage represents a major problem for present-day Jews because at least 50% of our people leave the faith or intermarry. At this rate, our already-small population will dwindle to extinction. So, if a Jew-by-birth falls in love with a Gentile, the only path for this couple is often to have the non-Jew convert to Judaism. As long as the Gentile is completely open to this choice and ready to assume it for her own spiritual benefit, this can be a wonderful solution for the couple as well as for the Jewish community.
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