Do those born Jewish welcome Jewish converts?

Please ignore the answers saying that Jews don't accept converts or that it is impossible to convert.

The truth of the matter is, Judaism does not seek converts. This is difficult for most Christians and Muslims to understand, as each believes they are the only true faith and therefore actively seek converts as a part of their belief system - either to try to 'save' people who they believe are wrong, or because they see converts as an affirmation that their religion is true. Judaism, on the other hand, believes that you do not have to be Jewish to serve G-d, and that all people go to the same place after death, so there is no need to convert to Judaism. And because being Jewish is such a hard road, with many laws to follow, and it is very easy to regret the decision to completely change your life and revert, Judaism actively turns away people who seek to convert until it is evident that they are truly sincere about it.

But once someone converts, they are absolutely 100% considered a Jew. In fact, all converts choose a new Hebrew name, and when it is used they are called that name 'ben Avraham' or that name 'bat sarah' - or son of Abraham or daughter of Sarah. In other words, they are no longer considered the children of their non-Jewish parents, but are now part of the overall Jewish family.

Not all religious Jews accept converts marrying in to their families, but not all religious Jews accept Jews from different religious or geographic backgrounds into their families either. Many Chassidic groups do not allow their kids to marry into other Chassidc groups. The Syrian Jewish community in New York is notoriously closed to outsiders. But even in the most close-knit communities, a convert would still be accepted as Jewish and invited to meals, welcomed in synagogue, etc. - it's only closed when it comes to marriage, because when parents control whom their kids are allowed to date or marry, they generally only want potential spouses who share their own kids' upbringing - it's a cultural thing, not a racial thing. And I can't stress enough that this is the exception and not the rule. In general, even in Orthodox Judaism, a convert is welcome to marry and live within the community exactly as if they were born to it.

In almost all groups, Jews welcome converts with open arms. Since I have converted, I have felt respected and loved by my community. It's regarded as absolutely not on to point out that someone is a convert - once you convert, you're as Jewish as anyone else. The ONLY exception, to the best of my knowledge and experience, is a very few extreme Chassidic groups. Unless you're planning to get involved with that far end of Judaism, you will have NO problem. You probably already know that for your conversion to be accepted by all branches of Judaism, it would have to be an Orthodox conversion, but if you are more drawn to Reform or Reconstructionist or whatever, go for it - if you happen to fall in love with an Orthodox Jewish man, you could always undergo that further conversion and it wouldn't take much if you'd already done a serious Reform conversion (in the UK, it's different from the US, so I don't know all the detail of how different Reform and Orthodox might be; in the UK, it's really not so hugely different in reality, even though Orthodox Jews do see some big differences).

Oh, and if you want to convert, you'll find many of us on here who would be more than happy to support you and answer any questions you might have - I know the whole community here (Orthodox, Chassidic, Reform, Reconstructionist) would welcome you.

EDIT: I could be wrong about there being some small extreme groups who don't accept converts. This is hearsay and I don't have a source.

EDIT 2: Thanks, Michelle - now I understand.

jewish people don't go searching for people to convert. if you are sincere and are up to the hard work of converting then they will accept you into the conversion process. Once you convert you have all the responsibilities. you are equal with all born people born into Judaism. A lot of Jews really respect converts. because being a Jews can be tough. (all the anti-semetic comments and such) I mean don't just convert to marry a Jewish man. (although you can do that.) I would suggest converting. and then find a man. :) good luck. and yes the Jewish people will welcome you with open arms if you are sincere.

Unfortunately, you've seen already what you will face when you become a Jew..here...under this question from joe and Desiree, non Jews. Those answers who have told you that Jews don't accept converts are either ignorant or here to misinform with obvious malicious intent.

Converts have been as welcome as Jews since the days OF the Torah.

Orthodox Jews say a prayer written by Onkelos, a convert, every day.

Ruth, the ancestor of King David was a convert.

It is against Jewish law to discriminate against the convert.

I was born to Jewish parents,so that means that I am one of those Jews you're asking..if we would welcome you as a convert. A sincere convert to Judaism is embraced as fully Jewish.

I personally do not know of any Jews among my community, my family or my Jewish friends scattered across the globe that would feel any differently. It is because we understand that it is our laws that define who is a Jew and once you have undertaken the steps to become a Jew, you're a Jew..period.

edit: Agrees with Ambivalent :) though I didn't even know some Chasids had trouble with converts..I thought it was that they just did not accept Reform conversions as valid? How would any Jew justify not acceptng a Jew who had a valid conversion?

edit: The Orthodox Jews here in Y/A among my own contacts will tell readily that they do not accept Reform conversions. That's probably what it is...

As you said, unless one wants to marry an Orthodox Jew, that may not be an issue for them.

Even though Orthodox may not recognize a Reform convert as Jewish..I've never known any Orthodox Jew to discourage their participation in most Jewish life, but I have seen Orthodox Jews online advising Reform converts to just convert the "real" way as they say. Starring this to hope our Orthodox friends arrive after Shabbat:)

Note to asker, if you want more Jewish answers...few Jews and no Orthodox Jews will be online again until after the Sabbath is over.

edit: Thank you Michelle, that sounds more logical :)

Jews love all jews! Once you convert you are just as Jewish as the rest of us, except many will see you as 'extra-special' because what you have seen in Judaism is extremely special! You weren't born into it, but your soul saw something that many Jews that were born this way haven't seen! If you do choose to convert I would recommend going to an Orthodox Rabbi! That is the only way you can be sure your conversion is complete and correct by the torah! Good Luck!

Btw I would recommend checking out Chabad.org for a lot of your questions!

i converted ( albeit with distant jewish ancestory ) and i can say that ive had nothing but nice and welcoming responses - even from some orthodox who dont even recognise my reform conversion ! :)

Theres a belief in judaism that those drawn to convert, despite knowing how hard it can be to be jewish, already have a jewish soul, and that all thats needed is the formal conversion to replace the jewish family they happened not to be born with - does that make sense ?

Every jewish person ive met, both here and in Israel, have always been really happy and even humbled, that some one who had a choice to be jewish or not CHOSE judaism , even knowing how much people can hate jews and how much racism we suffer...

Israelis especially - with every thing thats going on in Israel always seem to be really touched by converts...

If you do choose to convert, youll have people more than happy to ''adopt'' you into their family or traditions... judaism is very much centered around the family - so some times it can get lonely for a convert who doesnt have that immediate sense of tradition or heritage...

the only issue you might face is one of WHICH conversion... orthodox jews dont recognise as valid reform / liberal / conservative conversions and sometimes even conversions outside of their particular branch...

But speaking personally - i know that for many the leap from secular goy to orthodox jew can be too big to take in one step... it also can be hard if you are marrying into judaism and your husband isnt orthodox...

the way i see it is that my community, my country and Israel recognises me as jewish and for now thats enough... one day i might choose to be more religious but that will be my own choice... not because some people dont recognise me as jewish...

i hoped thats helped some ?

I'm a convert and they treat me like I'm made of gold. If anyone is going to keep the tribe alive, it's us.

If you're truly interested in it, do NOT base it on a guy. When you go to convert that is the FIRST thing they're going to ask you about. If they catch wind of you doing it to keep a man, they will not grant you the right to a mikveh and conversion. I'm speaking of the beit din, the rabbinical court you'll meet.

If your intentions are true, start attending synagogue now and see how you get along with them. No guy is going to help you be accepted, Jews simply do not trust, especially women, that come in by way of a man, it's just suspicious.

You sound sincere, so start making steps now.

P.S. No one is going to "turn you away", I'm so sick of that idea, and it's entirely from television. Just ignorant. They'll question your intentions, yes, but nobody is going to tell you no or that you're not worthy. That's a ridiculous idea.

also let me make something clear... one who converts to Judaism becomes a Jew. they are 100% jewish, equally Jewish as those whos parents were Jewish.

there is no distinction like some claim.

Yes, you can convert. You must ask a Rabbi. And you will be turned away. It is possible to convert to Judaism but you must show you are earnest and the path is not easy.

My friend's husband converted years ago. He became interested in Judaism after their marriage and discovered its principles fit him better than the Christianity he was raised with. But, his conversion was neither easy nor short. He had a lot of studying to do but now he is an Orthodox Jew.

Some may welcome you, others may not. Sort of like the time I thought of walking into a Baptist church wearing a Darwin t-shirt.

as far as I know , they are very accepting

but also , to convert to Judaism ... one must study

so anyone who does convert will be doing so because they are commited

that has to be respected