#prospective converts

[ask-jumblr]

Hi i'm planning to convert (in the UK liberal movement) and have been attending services for a couple of years and talking to a local rabbi. Since I don't know many Jewish people my age where I live, it's been kind of hard to get a handle on how some difficult questions are viewed so I thought I'd try here for one specific thing that's been worrying me. How do people view tattoos? I only recently learned that this is a big taboo/forbidden in Jewish law, and it's currently my biggest sticking point because I'm torn between having my own views on this (I see them as creative self-expression, and a good way to reconnect to my body as a trans person) and not wanting to be disrespectful of a serious topic, especially one with fraught historical connotations. I think this is part of finding it a little hard to gauge how to balance respect for tradition and my own views as there is room for so many ways to practice Judaism, especially in the liberal movement.

Due to the fact that this question has many answers depending on your FOR, I am going to request that responders include their FOR. Thank you.

- Mod Nadav

[progressivejudaism]

Block suggestions

Dear Jumblr,

I’ve noticed a few blogs posting about two particularly troublesome bloggers who try to ‘lure’ Jews by Choice and potential Jews by Choice ‘back’ to Christianity in a series of antisemitic ways.

I suggest blocking @steelandcampfires and @dead-buzzard.

I did not want to reblog the problematic posts, but present this message in a way that can allow people to not have to see their vile behavior.  But if you’re interested, here ya go.

Please signal boost this message so that as many folks know that interacting with these blogs might be problematic.

-Josh

[jewish-education]

I’m interested in converting but I’m gay and I don’t know if I would be able to?

Depends on what movement/rabbi/community you wanted to convert under. Here are some options:

Reconstructionist Judaism. (First movement to be supportive of same-sex marriage!)

Reform Judaism.

Conservative Judaism. (I have heard of non-LGBTQ friendly Conservative rabbis but never encountered one? I think most split from the movement back when the decision was made??)

This project within Orthodoxy. (Though it’s possible some of these rabbis might not be as welcoming of prospective LGBTQ converts.)

Humanistic Judaism.

You would not be the first gay Jew in existence and they’d probably be even happier to help dispel homophobia than help you convert. (Rabbis/Jews generally aren’t supposed to encourage conversion, but are supposed to encourage treating every human being with respect.<3)

[ask-jumblr]

Hi everyone! <3 I've been searching for an answer but havent found anything clear, so I'm hoping I can ask here. What's the correct term for a goy interested in Judaism but who has not properly converted yet? I feel very called to convert to Judaism but with covid and other personal obstacles I havent even spoken to a rabbi yet let alone studied sufficiently. Is there a term for this particular situation? Many thanks for your patience and guidance <3

Mod here. This is a common question around jumblr that I’ve seen result in some misunderstandings. It might be helpful if folks explained the differences between converted Jews, conversion students, and prospective converts. It may also be helpful to explain some synonyms for these terms, as well as the origins/interpretations of the term gerim. If folks with experience around conversion want to talk about their own preferred terms, this ask is a great place to do so. I will try to add it to FAA so folks can see it and reference it in the future.

Much thanks! (Todah rabah!)  !תּוֹדָה רַבָּה

[ask-jumblr]

I’m looking to convert to Judaism. Both Conservative and Reform Judaism interest me, so I was wondering if it’s possible to participate in both denominations, and if so, which denomination I should convert to (I’ve heard that Conservative rabbis don’t accept Reform conversions, but does that mean I wouldn’t be able to participate in any practices with a Conservative community?)

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[ask-jumblr]

Is it okay for converts-in-progress/those considering conversion/gentiles to draw aspects of Jewish religion and culture? If not okay to post and share (on an art acc), is it okay even just to draw from a point of interest and not share? Context- can't convert yet, but I really wanna draw some sketches of people wearing tallit because its beautiful to me, but IDK if that's inappropriate.

[ask-jumblr]

does anyone have any tips on telling your family that you’d like to start conversion to Judaism?

[ask-jumblr]

FOR: prospective convert. I am a conversion student with a Conservative rabbi, but I am feeling very drawn to Orthodox Judaism. However, I am a lesbian and out as a lesbian. Is there any way I could convert to Orthodox Judaism, or is it not an option for me?

I sent the anon about being a lesbian converting. I didn’t know what the “for” meant... I am requesting that Orthodox Jews, lgbt jews, and/or prospective converts answer. Thank you very much!