I'm not sure if you have answered a question like this but here's the scenario: I'm looking for a congregation to start my formal conversion but where I live the only one closest to me is Reform. i see myself more Conservative but the closest one to me is 4+ hours in another city. Do I approach the Reform shul and ask for advice on what I should do? Thank you so much.
I’m not sure if you’ve answered a question like this before. I feel I’m ready to start officially converting but I want to convert to Conservative and the closest congregation is 3 hours away. There is however a Reform congregation that is about 15 minutes away - should I approach them and ask what to do? Thank you sooo much for this blog. It has really helped.
Hi anon (or anons? either way!)
So my understanding is that a lot of Reform synagogues have Conservative minyans or services despite being formally affiliated with the Reform movement and/or the Rabbi being a Reform Rabbi. That is the case with my shul, and it’s actually really nice because I get to experience both and appreciate each in their own right.
I would definitely reach out to the closer Reform Rabbi and see what s/he says about converting and see if you connect. It will be much, much easier for you to be closer if you can!
As for the actual conversion process, many Conservative Rabbis will recognize Reform conversions if they are done to Conservative standards; i.e. - there must be a significant period of study with a formally ordained Rabbi or Cantor, a beit din, an immersion in the mikveh, and (if applicable) a brit. Many Reform rabbis insist on this as well anyway, so you’ll just want to see what your Rabbi’s standards are.
Additionally, however, the Conservative movement does view halacha as binding, and so they will want your reassurance that you, too, accept it as binding. The Reform movement explicitly rejects that notion, so this is something you will want to clarify with any Conservative Rabbi if/when you are able to join a Conservative congregation down the line. As far as I know, some Conservative Rabbis will simply take your word for this; others may insist on something more formal. Worst case scenario, you have to re-convert, but it would likely be a faster process since you’ve already fulfilled most of the requirements.
I hope that helps! Good luck on your journey!
[Edit: if anyone who is actually converting Conservative or was raised Conservative wants to correct any errors in this, please do! I am officially converting Reform, so it’s possible my understanding of this is off.]