Embracing the Covenant: Converts to Judaism Talk About Why & How

by Allan L. Berkowitz (Editor)

This book is a practical and inspirational companion to the conversion process for Jews-by-Choice and their families. Written primarily for the person considering the choice of Judaism, it provides highly personal insights from over 50 people who have made this life-changing decision. But it also will speak to their families―the non-Jewish family that provided his or her spiritual beginnings and the Jewish "family" which receives the convert―and help them understand why the decision was made.

Genres: Judaism, Religion, Jewish, Judaica, Nonfiction

174 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1996

Reviews

[nat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this because this is a path I'm beginning. It took me a while to get through so I don't remember the beginning parts as well.

It wasn't written recently, so there's a lot of stuff that doesn't carry over quite the same now that the internet exists. I didn't find the stories particularly relatable, particularly the majority who seem to feel favourably about Israel as a modern state or who don't mention it. The way they talk about devotion to G-d also doesn't resonate with me. I think some of it is that no one in there seemed to come from an atheist background specifically, just "no particular religion" and they didn't really talk about reconciling their relationship with religion in contrast with anything like queerness or past religious trauma. For the people in the book, it feels like they just kind of found Judaism and were good. They don't talk about specific aspects of the Jewish community they'd flourished in really — like to me, I could not manage to separate my concept of Judaism from queer Jewish anarchists I know.

I appreciate the concept of this book but it ended up with me feeling only more alienated.

I did like the parts where problematic relationships to Judaism were talked about, and how converts seem to end up being spokespeople for converts and how it isn't just a seamless transition. I wish I'd had more of that.

[Kain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't feel like I learned anything from this but it was cool to read about different perspectives. I might have found this more significant had I read it earlier in my conversion process.

[Floare Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a series of essays from converts to Judaism about their journeys and meaningful moments in coming to their faith and relating to it. These are personal moments that each author shares in their own way and their own style, so it varies from story to story. While this book is in no way a book about how to convert, or even about the conversion process, I think it speaks to people who are converting or even rededicating themselves to Judaism on an emotional, almost visceral level. Something they can relate to, and because of the format, an easy read to put down and pick up again.

[Asher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of these stories more compelling than others, but I enjoyed getting a glimpse of the essayists' journeys. As I continue my own journey toward conversion, it's good to know that I'm not alone, there are many of us.

[Julie-Anne Borgias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the many reasons and pathways to conversion. Great book for those coming to Judaism from secular households or converting in.