Not true at all. Just because you don't hear about people converting to Judaism with no Jewish roots, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Jews were actually prohibited to ask people to come into their religion for hundreds of years, so it's a relatively new thing, but not prohibited in their doctrine. I am a Jew that has converted without any Jewish roots. I did, however, have to take a bunch of classes including Hebrew classes. I was older when I did this, but everyone else in the classes were like 8 and 9. It was actually kind of neat to learn with children... not a lot of people get that opportunity... unless you dropped out of Elementary school and are going back. If this is something that interests you there are several books out there that explain the process of converting to Judaism. I suggest you start with something like, "What is a Jew?" by Morris N. Kertzer.
Melbel, I wonder if you'd mind sharing your experience as a converted jew, in terms of some of the earlier comments in the thread, which basically say you will have been treated poorly as you are not ethnically jewish?
No problem. When I first when to Temple, the people were more curious about me than anything. They were friendly but not in the creepy "I'm your best friend since you've come to my church" way, but more in the way that they were interested in why I chose to come to the temple as they don't get many people trying to convert. They invited me to their table at "oneg" which is the part after Shabbat where you celebrate and eat... mostly cake, cookies, coffee, bread and red wine. They asked me all sorts of questions and allowed me to ask questions about their religion. I originally didn't plan on going to the oneg, since I was really naive about it and shy as it seemed to be a social activity and I didn't know anyone. I wasn't treated poorly at all and I must say that the people at the synagogue I go to were really the most genuinely friendly people I've ever met. Ever go to a church where people are overly fake nice to you and act like they are your best friend? My sister's church is like that and I really must say that that can really turn me off. Where I go is called Sinai Temple and it's Reformed Judaism which is probably one of the easier ones to convert into. It's not required to wear kippot, although most of the men do and I think only one woman does.
I don't have the experience but I've heard that its extremely hard. I really don't understand the whole religion thing.. isn't it about faith instead of being someones child? Anyways, I think with enough determination they might embrace you, interest in the nation and culture is definitely not enough. Hope it works out for you though if it doesn't just remember that its not the title but the faith itself that counts.
Hello all,thank you for your replies. homeloans1,your info is very useful,i have find the center.i will contact people there firstly and visit them when i visit shanghai next time if it is okay for them. Here i have another question,do "convert" mean convert from one religion to another,for example,convert from muslim to Jew-dom?People here have no religion, the government always teachs people communism.If your strictly follow the government or the party（Chinese Communist Party ),you can not go to any temple at all unless you are going to destory those temples.But you know,communism can not be everything,If you completly follow the government,you will just like a pig,so i need a religion. hmmm,i am not only like the nation and culture,i want to be one of them,one part of them.
I know several people who have converted to the Jewish faith, including a Chinese woman (in America). She was married to a Jewish man and their Children are able to recite the Jewish prayers in Mandarin, English, or Hebrew - pretty impressive.
Spoken like a true ignoramus. Judaism is likely one of the more difficult religions to convert to, but only because the conversion process involves in depth training and dedication. Every convert I have ever met in the Jewish community are always very knowledgeable in their chosen religion and are fully accepted with open arms in to the Jewish community.
I am jewish. In order to convert, you have to learn the religion for about a year + -, and you have to pass an exam. After that you need to go to somewhere and do some ceremony or whatever... But the thing you have to keep in mind, is that you need to remove the you-know-what from your you-know-what... Good luck(;
I am jewish and from what I hear it take hard training to "convert". If you really feel strongly about it then all the power to you.
SEOBusiness i am a Jew,if you want to become a Jew All i can say is WELCOME! Dont listen to all this crap about parents being jewish,you can still be a jew. Color is no issue either,Black,White,Pink,Yellow,Green,Blue are all accepted. If you need help on any issues send me a pm it would be an honor to answer! Shalom Brother!