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Conservative vs. Reform Conversion
Question
Dear Rabbi,
My daughter is planning to marry a gentile. Although he is planning to convert, I am concerned that they will choose a 'Reform' rabbi for this process
Can you please tell me the differences between Conservative and Reform conversion.
Answer
I am sorry about your concern and the truth is, I do not have a clear answer for you since it depends upon the Rabbi who is going to do the conversion. The difference between the Conservative movement and the Reform movement, is that the Conservative movement considers itself bound to Halakha (Jewish Law), and the Reform movement does not. According to Halakha, after having learn the basis of Judaism, a man must be circumcised and go to the mikveh (ritual bath). To be considered converted he must do both. A person who converts in the Conservative movement learns for about a year, then he/she is examined by a rabbinical court of three judges. If the court determines that the candidate for conversion is ready, the man is circumcised and both a man and a woman go to the mikveh.
After this he/she can have a Jewish wedding.
I
hope I answered your question and that things are going
to turn out for the best.
Rabbi
Monique Susskind Goldberg
December
2004
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