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At the age of 18, I became a seeker. I set out on a decades-long spiritual journey full of twists and turns but one constant in my life was my affinity for Judaism. It didn\u2019t make sense to me for a long time,\u00a0 I just knew there was this unexplainable spark that ignited when anything or anyone Jewish came across my path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Honestly, it felt a bit lonely. For years, I thought I was the only one. Most everyone I knew was Christian and had been their entire life. Eventually, I learned I was not alone and that there was a perfectly logical reason for my feelings, I have a Jewish soul despite being born into a non-Jewish body. I\u2019ll explain more momentarily, but before we dive into the topics of the Jewish soul and conversion, a little about me.<\/span><\/p>\n Back to that unexplained spark. Over the years, whether meeting a Jewish person or passing a synagogue my heart skipped a beat, but the thought of doing something about this mysterious pull didn\u2019t occur until much later in life.<\/span>\u00a0Several years ago I bought a menorah on a whim. I wasn\u2019t sure how to light it or the meaning behind it. I just knew I felt drawn to it. That led to online research into Judaism for a few years and eventually, I contacted an orthodox rabbi and joined their community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My first introduction to Judaism was magical. I fell in love with it. I had stopped by a local Chabad center for the Hanukkah lighting. It was one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life. There was singing, dancing, plenty of wonderful kosher food, and lots of love. The atmosphere was contagious. <\/span>Taking that first step and joining a Jewish community was the best thing I have ever done. I have learned and experienced so much since then. I love my faith and can\u2019t imagine life without it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>Kabbalistic<\/span><\/a> explanation for a Jewish soul in a non-Jewish body is that every time a righteous husband and wife are together they create a soul. Many times that soul makes its way to earth in the form of a child, while other times the soul remains in the heavens. <\/span>Chabad.org<\/span><\/a> has more:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAbraham and Sarah, the first Jewish couple, were married for many years before they were blessed with a child, but their union generated many spiritual children. <\/span><\/i>Kabbalah<\/span><\/i><\/a> explains that the souls created by Abraham and Sarah\u2014and the souls created from the unions of other righteous couples\u2014have been distributed among the nations of the world, and it is these souls who become converts to Judaism.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This is why people who convert are often referred to as the sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah. What a beautiful explanation of what it means to have a Jewish soul. My entire world changed when I learned about this wonderfully mystical explanation about the soul of a convert.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When I finally decided I wanted more than to just admire Judaism from a far, I started researching. I went down the information rabbit hole learning anything I could about the religion and its different denominations, then I began reaching out to rabbis. Although my first Jewish community was orthodox,\u00a0 I eventually decided to go with a synagogue that combines conservative and reform denominations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The conversion process can vary greatly among denominations; orthodox conversions are significantly longer than non-orthodox. However, I have heard this can vary. The main sects of Judaism are Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform. The Orthodox are more traditional\u00a0 and believe the Torah came directly from God whereas the Reform movement sees the Torah as inspired by God but written by humans. The conservative tradition falls in the middle of Orthodox and Reform. The differences between Jewish denominations are complex. You can find a more detailed explanation at <\/span>My Jewish Learning<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you decide to convert you will quickly learn that becoming Jewish means a commitment to life-long study. The conversion process will involve multiple classes but beyond that, you will be learning about your chosen faith for the rest of your life. Reading Hebrew is central to practicing Judaism. During my conversion, I took a crash course in Hebrew that helped with sounding out words in Hebrew which is necessary for learning to read the Torah.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the downside, depending on your religious background, you may experience a lack of support from certain people. I grew up in a Christian home and since announcing my conversion I have received a few cold shoulders. Most people are supportive, some don\u2019t care, but a few have expressed judgment. It may hurt but it\u2019s just the way it goes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The best thing to do is to mentally prepare yourself for those who will be less than accepting. Through your conversion, you will gain a tight-knit Jewish community that is far more valuable than a few judgemental people you may lose. I don\u2019t worry too much about who accepts my choice outside of my family. I know that people who truly care will support me no matter what.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One great resource I would like to mention is <\/span>18 Doors<\/span><\/a>, here you will find Jewish lifestyle information and support for interfaith families and couples. Thank you so much for reading. I hope this helps, and I encourage my fellow Jewish souls to reach out through social media. I would love to hear from you! Shalom friends!<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about my Jewish Journey:<\/p>\n My Personal Reflections on Learning Jewish Traditions<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nMy Jewish Journey<\/h2>\n
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What it Means to Have a Jewish Soul<\/b><\/h2>\n
Here is Where to Begin<\/b><\/h2>\n
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What to Expect<\/b><\/h2>\n