Conversion

Home office setup with a Shabbat scene displayed on screen

Becoming Jewish: An Info Session About Conversion to Judaism

Are you wondering about becoming Jewish by conversion? Reform Judaism warmly embraces you! Learn about the next steps, where to find resources, and how to get answers to your questions in this free, no-commitment, online info session.

an image of a family with baby sitting at a table with a menorah lite in from of them

Adoption

Hanukkah-Related Baby Names and their Meanings

Ellie Rudee

In Judaism, words are powerful; names are perhaps even more powerful. In the Torah, naming is an important theme related to identity and essence. If you find yourself looking for a name this Hanukkah, we hope this list inspired by the themes of the season will help.

an image of a man sitting on a rock looking out into the desert

Introduction to Judaism

Funny, You Don’t Look...

Miguel L. Salazar

September 13, 2023

"What are you?" was a question I was often asked in New York City. At first, I did not understand. Having grown up in San Antonio, Texas during the Jim Crow era, there was no doubt in my mind. During Jim Crow, Americans were defined by their skin color. I was not Black, but neither was I white. Therefore, I reasoned, I must be Mexican.

an image of a boy standing in front of four Torah scrolls while holding one and wearing a yamuka and tallit

Conversion

Spicing up my Hispanic Heritage and Embracing Sephardic Traditions

Josh Rodriguez

September 6, 2023

Even before I finalized my conversion to Judaism, I was preparing to celebrate my adult bar mitzvah. In a sense, my conversion preparation became a precursor to bigger plans: for a bar mitzvah and a Jewish vow renewal ceremony with my wife Laurie later this year.

Shavuot

Together At Sinai: Four Conversion Stories

Crystal Hill

May 18, 2023

On Shavuot, many of us study the Book of Ruth. Lauded by Rabbinic tradition as a righteous convert, Ruth’s story continues to resonate with the experiences of many Jews-by-choice today.