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Convert to Judaism Online with Reform, Jewish Renewal and Humanistic Rabbis

September 25, 2015 by Patrick Beaulier

conversion rabbis

Our sister website Darshan Yeshiva has Reform, Jewish Renewal, Humanistic and Post-Denominational rabbis ready to help you convert to Judaism at your own pace. Our program takes ten months and includes online learning, one-on-one mentorship with your rabbi, bet din and mikvah. Our rabbis passed a rigorous vetting process (so you know they’re legitimate), and they live all around the world, so you may even find someone close by you.

To get started, just go to Darshan Yeshiva and learn more about the program. Make sure it’s right for you! Then choose your program, your rabbi, and apply.

Need help? Email support@darshanyeshiva.org and we’ll do everything we can for you.

Filed Under: Converting To Judaism Tagged With: conversion to jewish, conversion to judaism, convert to conservative judaism, convert to judaism, convert to judaism cost, convert to judaism online, convert to reform judaism, online conversion rabbi

Meet Channah Chaya, Our Newest Writer, On Her Two Month “Conversionsary”

June 17, 2015 by Channah Chaya

moleskine

Recently I reached out to a young woman on Facebook who is about to go through the process of the beit den to finish her conversion to Judaism. Although I am a Jew-by-Choice (a term I will be using to describe myself but I do not apply the same phrase to others who have converted unless they chose to identify as such), it is hard to believe that less than two months ago today, I was in the same position myself.

I decided to reach out to her because she was expressing some of the same fears and anxieties that I had both leading up to the date as well as the actual day itself.

In my opinion, Judaism is one of the most intimidating religions to convert to as well as one of the most challenging, and one could certainly argue, with good reason.

Unlike other religions, you take on a legacy and a history quite unlike any other. Along with all of the richness and beauty that comes with the religion, also comes along the ugliness of persecution and discrimination.

It is not something that converts to other religions usually have to be so consciously aware of. Yes, their newfound faith certainly had its dark side but it is not something in many cases (in mainstream religion at least),that threatens its survival. That is a huge burden to chose to take on.

When I began studying Judaism I was so intimidated to mess up, to do something disrespectful, to say a bracha (blessing) wrong. I was in awe of anyone that could speak Hebrew fluently and who could perform rituals without a second thought.

I felt like an outsider for the longest time and was subconsciously expecting someone to call me out because I was not officially “Jewish” yet.

Then something changed in me after I started getting more and more involved with the community. I craved finishing my studies so I could officially join the Tribe. The more I learned about Judaism, the more I fell in love. Then my mentality changed and all I could think was “how can I not be Jewish”.

I could not help it. I was in love with Judaism, and I had found it all on my own. I wanted to share this beautiful belief system with everyone but I definitely overloaded some of my both Jewish and non-Jewish friends with constantly talking their ear off on anything and everything Jewish. I could not be satiated.

The day of my conversion, I was on the verge of having both a panic attach and a complete meltdown because my emotions were running so high. It was hard to believe that all of my learning and studying had boiled down to this very moment. What would happen if the beit den wanted me to wait to convert? Part of me felt like I would never be ready and the other part of me felt like I had to be ready because why wait any longer.

I will say I am now drawing a blank on what I actually said during the beit den because I was so nervous but I do know that I was crying happy tears both in the mikvah and afterwards. I have never felt so happy in my life and proud of myself.

Its amusing to me sometimes when born-Jews don’t seem to understand why I, or anyone else for that matter, would choose to convert to Judaism. I think that, for me atleast, the beauty of the religion is worth the risk for the potential ugliness that can come along with it. Yes, I do worry about anti-Semitism daily and my heart drops every time I hear a new report in the news about it. Nevertheless, there is so much beauty to this religion, that how could I not be a part of it. To share the joy that Judaism has brought to me is why I have chosen to start blogging about it starting right here and right now.

Channah C. is a newly converted Jew-by-Choice who enjoys reading, writing, volunteering within her local Jewish community, and learning everything she can about Jewish living. She converted through Darshan Yeshiva and is currently studying to be a Darshan through their training program. Follow her on Twitter @JewishlyNew

Filed Under: Converting To Judaism, LGBTQ & Women Tagged With: channah chayah, conversion to judaism, conversion to judaism women, Jew By Choice

Convert with Conservative and Reform Rabbis at Darshan Yeshiva

February 16, 2015 by Patrick Beaulier

Darshan Yeshiva, a sister website of PunkTorah, provides distance-learning conversion to Judaism through Reform, Conservative and Post-Denominational rabbis (with Orthodox rabbis coming soon!)

romer headshotRabbi Ben Romer (Reform)

Our current Reform rabbi is Ben Romer, who has been a rabbi for over 30 years, both in congregations and as an Army Chaplain for 22 years. He has been in large and small Jewish communities and is now part of the creation of a new Emerging Jewish Community called Bonay Kodesh.

Why would Rabbi Ben choose to work with Darshan Yeshiva? As Rabbi Ben puts it:

“I am convinced that new ways and models are necessary for the flourishing of American Judaism. One model is to assure a welcoming community that intends to develop a lasting relationship with each person entering. When you make the decision to connect with the Jewish people and community I want to assure you know you will be embraced with care and affirmation.”

Rabbi Charni Flame Selch (Conservative)

Darshan Yeshiva students can now convert with a Conservative rabbi!

Rabbi Selch has been a congregational rabbi, community educator and chaplain, but all of her experience is about one thing: nurturing spiritual development for those who are seeking encounters with God and each other.

In addition to being our first Conservative rabbi, she is also our first rabbi in the Boston area.

Rabbi Charni says, “I have been a congregational rabbi and a community educator but mostly what I do is draw upon my experiences to nurture spiritual development for those who are seeking encounters with G-d and each other. I help individuals and families looking to engage in Jewish life and learning. I believe that Judaism shouldn’t be a spectator sport: It is meant to be approachable, personal, do-able and never to be simply watched from the sidelines.”

Rabbi Rachael Bregman (Reform)

RachaelBregmanWelcome Rabbi Bregman, our first female Reform rabbi and the newest addition to Darshan Yeshiva!

Rabbi Bregman is the rabbi for Beth Tefilloh, a historic synagogue in Brunswick, GA. She is both the first female to ever serve this community and the first resident rabbi in over 50 years.

Prior to her position at Beth Tefilloh, Rabbi Bregman served for three years as the rabbi for Open Jewish Project, a grant-funded endeavor under the umbrella of Synagogue 3000 and NextDor.

Learn more about our conversion program and apply to convert with Rabbi Romer, Bregman or Rabbi Selch 

Filed Under: Converting To Judaism Tagged With: ben romer, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, online conversion, online conversion to judaism, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi ben romer, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier, rabbi romer

Online Conversion To Judaism Expanding at Darshan Yeshiva!

October 8, 2014 by Patrick Beaulier

Darshan Yeshiva Cover copy

Darshan Yeshiva’s online conversion program is growing, and you need to know about it.

We have increased the size and scope of our program in the following ways:

Reform, Orthodox, Post-Denominational…More Ways To Convert

Students are able to choose a conversion guided by Reform or Post-Denominational rabbis. Eventually this will expand to Reconstructionist, Conservative and Orthodox rabbis as well. And that means…

Hiring More Rabbis

We are on the lookout for rabbis who are interested in part time work, helping new Jews come home to Judaism, as well as supporting the growth of a dynamic, pluralistic rabbinate. Interested in becoming a conversion rabbi with us? Email support@darshanyeshiva.org

More Conversion Locations

Our Atlanta location will still be available, but students will also be able to convert in other parts of the Southeast, as well as California, Virginia, New York and more. Our hope is to also begin finding rabbis and bet din in multiple countries as well

Get started at Darshan Yeshiva today!

Filed Under: Converting To Judaism Tagged With: conversion jewish, conversion to judaism, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, online conversion, online conversion to judaism, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier

5 Myths and Facts about the Darshan Yeshiva Online Conversion to Judaism Program

June 16, 2014 by Patrick Beaulier

I’d like to address the myths and facts about the Darshan Yeshiva online conversion to Judaism program.

This video was taken while I was on my recent trip to Florida and was staying in a lavish extended stay hotel, so enjoy the aesthetically pleasing background.

So here we go…

MYTH: Our online conversions take away people who would otherwise convert locally

FACT: We connect people with local Jewish communities first

Our definition of success is not driven by the number of people who sign up for our conversion program, but by the number of lives we impact. If there are good, local Jewish communities and rabbis, we want people to become part of those communities. If there are no options in their area, or the options they have simply do not work, then we are here to assist in their conversion.

MYTH: Our program is expensive because converts are “bearing the burden” of running our websites, administrative costs, etc.

FACT: It’s the opposite. Tuition from our Intro to Judaism program (and others) as well as donations helps pay for scholarships

Because the majority of our conversion students are on scholarships, we rely on the support of our Intro to Judaism, Torah Study and Darshan Training Program students to help ease the cost of conversion for people who are on limited incomes. When you take a class at Darshan Yeshiva, you are literally helping people convert to Judaism (while gaining a great Jewish education).

Additionally, students who have more comfortable financial lives have the opportunity to pay more for their conversion classes, in order to help keep the cost of our scholarships as low as possible. We hope one day to be able to provide the scholarship program at zero cost.

Last but not least, donations given to PunkTorah’s general fund are sometimes used to help pay for overhead costs we otherwise don’t recoup from charging for classes.

MYTH: This program is outside the “normal” Jewish community, so it’s validity is questionable

FACT: We work with the rabbis of Reform and Conservative communities

To date, our program has three rabbis with bet din that include Conservative, Reform, Renewal and Reconstructionist rabbis. Our educational program was developed through the consultation of a rabbi serving a Conservative synagogue as well as college professor. For our students seeking a mikvah, our conversions take place in Conservative synagogues using their mikvahs, and the certificates of our students’ conversions are filed with their administration.

MYTH: This conversion program is just a “power grab” that keeps people away from working with other rabbis

FACT: We’re hiring rabbis to do this work, not us.

Rabbis are often too overwhelmed to create their own conversion programs. Alternatively, there are many retired and part-time rabbis who are looking for opportunities to work with students. Darshan Yeshiva bridges the gap between students and rabbis by hiring the best rabbis we can find to serve all different kinds of students.

MYTH: Darshan Yeshiva is just an educational website. There’s no community attached to it

FACT: Darshan Yeshiva is a school and a community

Darshan Yeshiva has a super-secret Facebook group for students of our program. Students are added once a month and can chat about anything they want to in a (relatively) unmoderated environment.

Interested in converting to Judaism? Want to learn more about Judaism in general? Check out our website!

Written by Rabbi Patrick Aleph

Filed Under: Community Member Blogs, Converting To Judaism Tagged With: conversion to judaism, convert to judaism, convert to judaism online, darshan yeshiva, online conversion, online conversion to judaism, patrick "aleph" beaulier, patrick aleph, punktorah, punktorah video, rabbi beaulier, rabbi patrick aleph beaulier

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