Choosing to Be Jewish: The Orthodox Road to Conversion

by Marc D. Angel

This book challenges readers to consider the issues relating to halakhic conversion, and to rethink historic attitudes and policies concerning conversion. Whereas for many centuries conversion to Judaism was relatively rare, in modern times it is a significant phenomenon. This book will enable readers to better understand the phenomenon and to appreciate the need for halakhic conversions.

Genres: Judaism

137 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Simcha York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rabbi Angel's Choosing to be Jewish offers valuable insights into the process of conversion to Judaism. This is not a how-to or what-to-expect-when-you're-converting book (for which, see Maurice Lamm's Becoming a Jew ), rather it focuses more on the issues that surround conversion, both for the convert and for the rabbis and other Jews who are being asked to accept the convert.

Choosing the be Jewish provides an honest engagement with the emotionally fraught issues faced by those who choose to embrace Judaism as both a religion and a people. Rabbi Angel makes a compelling case for why both converts and those who accept them should aim for a fully halachic (read Orthodox) conversion process.

Rabbi Angel is writing from an Orthodox perspective, but this book should be rewarding to Jews and potential converts of every denomination. Also, while this book is not engaged with a specifically Sephardic perspective, Rabbi Angel, as a Sephardic rabbi, does offer some insights that help the reader to see the issue of conversion (and Judaism in general) in a light that differs somewhat from that offered by a purely Ashkenazic spproach.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by an Orthodox Rabbi to other Orthodox Rabbis. It is NOT written for a potential convert.

Rabbi Angel argues that Orthodoxy needs to re-evaluate their stance on conversion and become more open to conversions by offering a viable Orthodox option.