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Conversion in Denmark
Question
Dear Rabbi,
My name is Martin and I'm studying Hebrew at the university of Copenhagen in Denmark.
My grandfather was Jewish, his middle name was Immanuel, as is my middle name, which I carry with pride as well as his Magen David, which I also carry with pride.
My connection to my Jewish roots grew stronger and stronger and it led to the decision of conversion to Judaism.
My situation however got complicated:
I contacted and met with the Chief Rabbi of Denmark, who is orthodox.
The Jewish community in Denmark is basically dominated by orthodox Judaism. The second largest congregation is haredi orthodox.
I prepared for orthodox conversion but then I met my girlfriend, who is a daughter of a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother, and who is halakhically not Jewish and here my problems began.
I thought our problems were solved when I discovered that we have a Reform Jewish congregation in Copenhagen, who recognizes my girlfriend as Jewish, so I could undergo reform conversion and we could get married there.
But I found that Reform Judaism is simply too reformed for me.
I've been looking at Masorti Judaism for some time now, because I believe that Judaism should preserve its traditional-self and not change for the sake of change.
But I have a question:
Masorti rabbis maintain the halakhic definition of who is Jewish - A person born by a Jewish mother. Will my girlfriend have to convert to Judaism, if I choose to do so?
Answer
Your desire to follow your grand father's way is very beautiful and I hope you will succeed.
As you know the Conservative/Massorti movement is a halakhic movement. This means that in the Massorti movement as well , your girlfriend will have to convert to be Jewish according to halakha. As every conversion process begins with learning, it will be easier for her if she already leads a Jewish life and has a Jewish identity. It may be a good idea to do the conversion process for yourself and for your girlfriend in a Massorti framework which is more connected to the modern world and is egalitarian regarding the role women can play in the synagogue.
If I can be of any help to you or to your girlfriend during the process of conversion, do not hesitate to write.
Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg
October 2006
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