Synagogue course - AIBU to go even though I’m not planning to convert to Judaism?

[Fandango52]

Hi everyone, hope you’re all well. I originally posted this on the Jewish Mumsnetters section, but haven’t got any replies so far, so just thought I would repost here as there’s more traffic.

I’m not Jewish, but am very interested in learning more about Judaism, and I’ve emailed a couple of synagogues where I live - in London - to ask if I could visit them.

One has agreed for me to visit, and the other has asked if I might want to do a course which is open to people wanting to find out more about Judaism and people who’d like to convert.

The course lasts for a year, with weekly sessions, and course attendees are encouraged to play full part in synagogue life, including attending services, and there is a reading list as well. It’s not clear yet whether course attendees are expected to buy the books on the list or whether the books could be accessed another way. There is also a cost to the course - £400 for the year - which works out roughly to about £10 per session.

On the one hand, I’m keen to do the course as it sounds very interesting and it would be a nice way to connect with like-minded people, as course attendees are encouraged to have dinners at the synagogue together as well as the weekly sessions.

On the other hand, as I’m not planning to convert to Judaism but just interested in it, it sounds like quite a lot of commitments and I worry I might be a bit out of place and in the minority. There is the option to go along for three sessions to try out the course before committing to it, and I quite like that idea.

I’d be keen to find out if anyone here has done anything similar to this course and what your thoughts are on it.

Thank you!

A quick Google found:
https://reformjudaism.org/learning/judaism-classes/introduction-judaism-online-classes
https://www.ochjs.ac.uk/
etc.

As an ex-OU student, I'd recommend checking their free online sample courses. Here's a list: www.open.edu/openlearn/local/ocwglobalsearch/search.php?q=judaism

Depending on where you live, I found Oxford Uni' dept of lifelong learning ran great courses. Here's a comparative one: https://lifelong-learning.ox.ac.uk/courses/foundations-of-judaism-christianity-and-islam Obs other universities are available.

Modern spoken Hebrew (or ivrit) is apparently taught on Duolingo. No idea if that's helpful.

Have you read the Old Testament?

FFS, the OP literally posted details of a conversion course in the opening post!

You can convert. Orthodox Judaism makes it very difficult - eg takes circa 3 years with total dedication.

Progressive streams make it easier. I suspect the course mentioned in the opening post was a conversion course.

Either way it’s not a religion that seeks converts. Jewish law is clear that the potential convert has to seek it themselves.

Thanks Crystal! This is very helpful. I’ll look into these. I haven’t read the Old Testament but should do.

OP there was a very interesting series of threads about Judaism last year.

Here's a link to the first one:

Link

The Hebrew Bible (know as the “old” testament by people who believe there’s a “new” one) will not inform you at all very much about modern Judaism, as it has been practiced and evolved for the last two thousand years, since the destruction of the second Temple in Jerusalem.

Its an interesting study though.

You’d be expected to live Jewishly to an extent while taking the course, attending synagogue, observing Shabbat and holidays, etc. I converted to Judaism 20 years ago (and took a similar course).

Not at all, if you’re not seeking to progress as a convert.

Thank you! I’ll have a read of that thread.

I would do the course, a proper course will structure the information so it makes sense, dipping in and out of random books may be pretty confusing. Do the three free ones and if it looks good (and you can afford it) do the course, you may be able to get books through a library. Nothing to lose in doing the first three anyway.

There's a Jewish museum in London that might be interesting. My kids have visited with school

Do report back!

I'm interested in the idea that 'Jews don't proselytise as they're God's chosen people' compared with the thought that , 'Yes people can convert to Judaism'. Do let us know what the Old Testament says...

This is a very useful bit of info, thank you.

For what it’s worth, the course sounds brilliant to me - if you know you are at least interested in converting rather than just wanting to study the religion.

The £400 doesn’t sound that bad considering it’s for a year and what is included - it’s probably just to cover costs tbh!

Afaik it depends on what part of Judaism you are talking about - whilst Jews don’t proselytise in the sense of looking for more followers, I believe it’s much easier to convert if you are joining a reform or liberal synagogue than to an orthodox one.

But I’m absolutely no expert save having had a Jewish boyfriend when I was young and then ex MIL (no connection - exh is a different person!) converting when I was married to exh and talking to her about it.

If you can easily afford it, then do it! You can explain at the beginning that youre not necessarily looking to convert and just want to learn more with an open mind. I really doubt there would be any pressure and by being upfront, you wouldn't need to be worried about being dishonest. Also, if the synagogue felt as if the course wasn't suited to you, they'd surely tell you once you'd explained your intentions.

Interesting. What about the (late) brilliant Tom Lehrer who was (according to AI) a non-observant Jew. Where does that fit in? I hope the OP comes back to comment, once she's read the Old Testament...

Meanwhile, the 's a URL to his most (IMO) Jewish song. (Other brilliant versions are available. Just ask.)

Interesting. And an apology to my earlier failed URL. What about the (late) brilliant Tom Lehrer who was (according to AI) a non-observant Jew. Where does that fit in? I hope the OP comes back to comment, once she's read the Old Testament...

Meanwhile, this is a URL to his most (IMO) Jewish song. (Other brilliant versions are available. Just ask.)

I don't think they really want people converting

Is there anything interesting on at JW3?
https://www.jw3.org.uk/

I've got a couple of rabbis in my wider social circle and they are very open to people with enquiring minds. If you've had a friendly response from someone, you can take them up on the visit and see if anything unfolds. I know Finchley Progressive used to have lots of outward facing literature but they were largely welcoming non-Jewish spouses rather than the wider community.

Shabbat services are often open to visitors but security now will be really high. I've attended various services at Progressive and Reform synagogues over the years to support friends celebrating milestones.

Judaism is hugely non pressure for conversion. In many places you will be turned away multiple times to prove sincerity. Whilst communities vary, like any religion or none, some communities really aren't hugely pro conversion and converts have expressed feeling uncomfortable about their conversion status. Mileage varies, of course, but n any case I've never seen a shul that goes out of it's way to convert.

Judaism is hugely non pressure for conversion. In many places you will be turned away multiple times to prove sincerity. Whilst communities vary, like any religion or none, some communities really aren't hugely pro conversion and converts have expressed feeling uncomfortable about their conversion status. Mileage varies, of course, but n any case I've never seen a shul that goes out of it's way to convert.

Judaism is hugely non pressure for conversion. In many places you will be turned away multiple times to prove sincerity. Whilst communities vary, like any religion or none, some communities really aren't hugely pro conversion and converts have expressed feeling uncomfortable about their conversion status. Mileage varies, of course, but n any case I've never seen a shul that goes out of it's way to convert.

Did you mean to quote me? I had said I don’t really know anything! 😂

There’s some really interesting Instagram accounts you could look at too.

Who is this mysterious hive-minded ‘they’ that keeps appearing on this thread? Have you surveyed them?