Acting and Conversion

Question

Dear Rabbi,

Upon deciding (or "being decided" since Hashem undoubtedly had a part in it) to become a Jew (through the Masorti/Conservative movement) I find myself faced with somewhat of a dilemma : I also wish to become an actress (not in a Hollywood-sense of the word).
I have been encouraged by several Drama teachers to pursue a career in acting, but always said no as I had up until recently imagined myself converting Modern Orthodox, and then not being able to combine the two.
Besides this, I am also a writer of poetry and prose (in Swedish, my first language) and I have been told that I have a quite promising future here as well. (I am by no means trying to show off, I just want to make it clear that I am not simply interested in these things for a hobby, nor am I, to be perfectly honest, unrealistic in my goals.)
While I love Judaism (my spiritual beshert :), I also love acting and writing.
My question is, there for: could I, as an OBSERVANT Conservative Jewess act and write? (What I really want to know is, besides working on the Sabbath and other holidays, where the answer is more obvious, is there any reason, philosophically so to speak, why I couldn't work in these fields, such as immodesty, or anything else I have not yet thought of? Would I have to select halachically "OK" material, or could I pretty much be a "normal" actress, otherwise living a Jewish, Conservative, life?)
Any help would be truly and greatly appreciated.

Answer

I can only answer to your question with one big YES, yes you can pursue an artistic career in theater and in writing and be an observant Jew, there is no contradiction, there are very renown Jewish religious writers and poets, and there is no reason you could not act as well. As a religious person you will feel yourself what are the borders you should not pass in the area of modesty, in your writings as well as in your acting. Good luck in your conversion process, and continue to do what you are gifted for, this also comes from God.

All the best,

Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg
June 25 2004