Yes I’m Black, And I’m Jewish

These are all Jews; according to traditional Jewish Law (halacha)

In case you are wondering, I will quickly satisfy your curiosity by saying yes, I converted. In general, I do not write or blog about my conversion — mainly because I do not feel that my experience was typical. There are many other converts (or gerim…as they are referred to in Hebrew) who blog and do a much better job then I ever could (some are linked below).

My Jewish Timeline

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1st Meeting With Rabbi

After some research I first met with a Reform rabbi to inquire about conversion. He declined me and said that I was too young. At the time I was 14 years old.

1994
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Joined Hillel

In spite of not being Jewish I joined and was an active member of the Hillel House at WVU. This was my first time practicing Jewish rituals with others and being a part of a community.

2000
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Reform Conversion

After relocating to FL, I found a Reform rabbi who agreed to convert me. However due to growing frustration with the Reform movement, I left the congregation shortly after my conversion.

2005
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Found Aish HaTorah

Starting taking classes on a regular basis at the local Aish HaTorah center. Relocated to an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood.

2006
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Found A Rabbi

After more then a year, I finally found an Orthodox rabbi who agreed to oversee my conversion. I had asked several before him, but they had all declined.

2007
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Moved (Again)

Was in a major car accident which forced my return back to PA.

2008
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Final Conversion

After a lot of struggle, I finally had my Orthodox conversion right before Pesach.

2011

כִּי אֶל-אֲשֶׁר תֵּלְכִי אֵלֵךְ, וּבַאֲשֶׁר תָּלִינִי אָלִין–עַמֵּךְ עַמִּי, וֵאלֹהַיִךְ אֱלֹהָי

“…for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God…” – Ruth 1:16.

Links

  • You can read my conversion story here (it’s long though….about 14 pages).
  • For an Orthodox conversion in the United States, visit this site. Also be sure to bookmark the page of the participating batei din.
  • Before you commit to a conversion to Orthodox Judaism, read “A bill of rights for Jewish converts” (including the comments) first!
  • If you have the time, please watch this series of videos on YouTube entitled: “Conversion Crisis: Is the System Broken?
  • If you are considering converting via Orthodox auspices, run, don’t walk, over to Skyler’s blog here