Converting to Judaism Online
and Jewish Conversion Chicago 
EXPLORING CONVERTING TO JUDAISM-JEWISH CONVERSION?
AN ONLINE AND CHICAGO CLASSROOM CONVERTING JEWISH CONVERSION TO JUDAISM PROGRAM of
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg
847-331-3584
4500 Dempster st.
Skokie, IL 60076
ph: 847-675-4141
fax: 847-675-0327
rabbi
Home
New Jewish family plus the Bet Din
Conversion to Judaism Program
Looking for a Jewish Conversion program in the Chicago area?
Centrally located in Chicago metro, we are just minutes off Edens/I-94 or twenty minutes east of I-294 on Dempster Street in Skokie. Enrollment is ongoing.
Study with us in our conversion institute. This Chicago based institute for Jewish conversion has continuous classes which are completed in a five month cycle approximately of 16 weeks of classes. This Chicago Jewish conversion program is the largest in the Metro area. The program combines ONLINE Learning and Classes at the synagogue
Rabbi,
Thank you so much! I can hardly express my excitement. Last night I
could not sleep. I was up reading about how the messiah is to come from
the line of King David and trying to make sure I remembered dates. I was
so nervous. The kids were nervous too. We did not need to be, but I
think it was natural to be so. Meeting you and the other Rabbi's was a
gift. All three of you are wonderful men. We have so much yet to learn,
but we have gotten a great start with your online course.
I just could not possibly articulate my thanks in words. Just know that
in my heart this feels right to me. I feel that I am home in Judaism.
You and your course have helped me find my way home. Rabbi Jonathan, thank you so much for your time and efforts. I know that you
are both busy people. I just want you to know that your work is
wonderful and a gift to anyone exploring this path.
Introduction to Judaism
Program for conversion to Judaism
A 16-sessions Course for Potential Converts
God, Holy Books, Holidays, Life Cycle, Values, History, Kashrut, Kabbalah, Israel
Enroll anytime!
Students are accepted on an ongoing basis.
The program consists of:
We were told that we have the nation's largest synagogue based conversion program.You can just take the course and convert with another Bet Din oruse our Bet din to convert.
It is a standard Conservative program of 16 sessions and includes
1. Books to read
2. Items to memorize from a cd and videos
3. Values to learn
4. Lectures
5. Optional and unique-500 brief videos on dvds and online to assist you and allow you to make up missed classes
6. Terms to define and send back with videos to assist
7. 100 question exam with the answers on videos
8. Essay to write
9. Bet Din of Conservative or Orthodox ordained Rabbis, (though this conversion, like all done by non-Orthodox Rabbis, will probably not be recognized by the Orthodox.)
10. Syllabus for each session outlining the work for each session
11. Meet with Bet Din, sign Declaration of faith
Class meets Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 PM and and /or complete work online
Cost
$300 per single, $450 for couple tuition, $125 books and materials,
payable by check, credit card or paypal
not including final conversion fees at the end of:
Mikveh $150 person/$350 family cap
Males require ritual circumcision $75
Honorarium to 2 guest Rabbi on bet Din $100 each
ESYNAGOGUE.COM Long Distance Learning for Conversion Application Form (rev. 9/08)
Today’s Date:
Name: Date of Birth:
Phone: Email:
Street Address:
City: State/Region:
Country: Zip/Postal Code:
Name of Spouse or Partner (if applicable):
Names(s) and ages of Children:
Occupation: Employer:
Educational History (names of schools, majors, degrees earned):
Present/Past Religious Affiliation:
How did you learn about the program?
Explain your interest in converting to Judaism:
Describe any prior Jewish learning. If you have previously worked with a rabbi, include name and contact info:
___I/we understand this conversion, done under Conservative Rabbinic auspices, may not be acceptable to Orthodox Rabbis and the Israeli Orthodox Rabbinic establishment.
I/we are paying via paypal _____or Visa____or Mastercard_____or American Express
if by credit, then we need billing name and address, card number and expiration.
Also see the page on our Para Rabbi training Program
CONVERSION TO JUDAISM
4500 DEMPSTER, SKOKIE, IL
several others, but frankly yours is the most detailed, well-thought,
and professional of the lot.
Rob
Conversion to Judaism is a serious undertaking. It is our hope that the information you find here can help you in your exploration. For more information, or to schedule an appointment to find out if our program is right for you, please contact
Enroll anytime!
Students are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Contact Information
847-331-3584
Website: www.jewishconversionchicago.com
3. Telephone 847-331-3584
4. Email address
6. Location(s) of class(es):
7. 9. Curriculum God, Holy Books, Other religions and Judaism, History, prayer, Ritual Objects, Shabbat, Holidays, Jewish People, Anti-semitism and Holocaust, Israel, Life cycle,
13. Does a candidate need to have a mentoring Rabbi, and if so, what are
their responsibilities for the candidate
14. Does the Region sponsor any post-conversion program(s), and if so,
please describe We have Conversion havurah, also all students receive my 3x a week Torah email
15. Does this program include provision for children yes children over 7 attend
16. Does this program require any prospective spouse to participate
The middle three recently spoke at the synagogue about their journey to Judaism. Program Director Gail Ginsburg is on the right.
Program Overview: Taught by Rabbi Jonathan and Rabbi Gail Ginsburg, Ezra-Habonim, the Niles Township Jewish Congregation offers a comprehensive program for people who are considering conversion to Judaism. The program is designed to provide a strong foundation in Jewish learning, a welcoming entry into the Jewish community, and a pathway to explore the sacred Jewish journey of your soul. Candidates come to us from the entire greater Chicago area. The program is both challenging and fulfilling. Goals include introducing class participants to ways in which they can become familiar with Jewish concepts and values, create a Jewish environment in their homes, become comfortable with Jewish holidays and life cycle events, and learn to worship as a part of the Jewish community.
Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary (Conservative Judaism), a member of the Rabbinical Assembly of America (Conservative Judaism) and an associate member of the Reconstructionist Rabbbinic Association, directs the conversion Bet Din and conversion rituals.
Program Components and Requirements: In order to complete the conversion program, you (and your Jewish partner if you have one) attend our Learner's Minyon, Saturday mornings twice monthly, complete the course work, study Hebrew, write a final essay and meet several times with Gail Ginsburg and once with Rabbi Ginsburg, and attend various learning activities. To help you progress through this program, we have a variety of support mechanisms to assist you.
Length of Program: We expect candidates to study with us for a minimum of nine months, in order to experience Shabbat and holidays, and to become attuned to the rhythm of the Jewish year. Occasionally, candidates take longer than one year to complete the program. There is no set start date for the program; candidates may begin the program at any time of the year.
Beit Din and Mikvah: As the final step in the conversion program, you will participate individually in a ritual immersion in the Mikvah of the Conservative Movement at Beth Hillel Congregation in Wilmette and appear before a Jewish Rabbinical Court of three members (a "Beit Din") to answer questions regarding your desire to become a Jew. So that you will be acquainted with and feel comfortable with the mikvah process, we will discuss the details before you finish the program.
Hatafat Dam Brit: Males desiring to convert must undergo circumcision. If you have already been medically circumcised, you are required to undergo a ritual circumcision prior to appearing before the Beit Din. This ritual, called Hatafat Dam Brit, involves the symbolic and painless drawing of a small drop of blood.
Location: All classes meet at EHNTJC 4500 Dempster Street, Skokie Ill. 60076. Classes meet Sunday mornings, 9:30-11:30, virtually year around.
Fees: $300 for tuition; plus book and material fee of $100;
OUR CONVERSION BLOG
www.jewishconversionchicago.com/blog.html
Photos of some recent graduates:
Rabbi Gail Ginsburg, a college professor, directs the program. Gail is a Jew-by-Choice and former Lutheran Minister, co-teaches the class and does the spiritual counseling. This is a unique opportunity to be guided in the process by a Jew-by-choice.
The synagogue website is www.ehnt.org
Esynagogue.org is a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated in the State of Illinois
Rabbi Ginsburg is Rabbi of the Congregation and co-teaches the class. His website is www.jonathanginsburg.net
Read his daily blog at www.rabbireflects.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2008, Esynagogue.org
Unless otherwise stated on a page, the contents of this material, including but not limited to the text, graphics, sounds and scripts contained herein, were created by and are the sole property of Esynagogue.org, Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg and Rabbi Gail Ginsburg. The contents of this site may not be reproduced.
4500 Dempster st.
Skokie, IL 60076
ph: 847-675-4141
fax: 847-675-0327
rabbi
