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Conversion

[Ber96]
Berkowitz, Allan L. (ed.); Moskovitz, Patti (ed.). Embracing the Covenant: Converts to Judaism Talk About Why & How. Jewish Lights Pub; 1996. Paperback: ISBN 1-879045-50-8.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879045508/socculturejewish]

[Car97]
Carmel, Abraham. So Strange My Path: A Spiritual Pilgrimage. Bloch Pub Co; 1997. Paperback. ISBN 0-819700-40-1.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0819700401/socculturejewish/]

[Coh87]
Cohen, J. Simcha. Intermarriage and Conversion: A Halakhic Solution. Ktav Publishing House; 1987. Paperback. ISBN 0-881251-25-9. [A proposed "solution" to these problems. A analysis looking for common ground between Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform conversions.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881251259/socculturejewish/]

[Dia98]
Diamant, Anita. Choosing a Jewish Life : A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends. Schocken Books; 1998. Paperback: ISBN 0-805210-95-4.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805210954/socculturejewish]

[Eic65]
Eichhorn, D.M., (ed.) Conversion to Judaism: A History and Analysis. Ktav: Hoboken, NJ. 1965. [A historical perspective on conversion.]

[Ellxx]
Ellinson, David. Representative Orthodox Responsa on Conversion and Intermarriage in the Contemporary Era Jewish Social Studies #47 p.209 [A summary and analysis of several responsa of contemporary poskim. See related references in the article.]

[Eps92]
Epstein, Lawrence Jeffrey. The Theory and Practice of Welcoming Converts to Judaism: Jewish Universalism (Jewish Studies, Vol 13). Edwin Mellen Press; 1992. Hardcover. ISBN 0-773494-93-6.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0773494936/socculturejewish/]

[Eps93]
Epstein, Lawrence J. Conversion to Judaism: a Teaching Guide. Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education/261 West 35th Street Floor 12A/New York NY 10001. 1993. [Pamphlet. Discusses conversion, including a historical summary and descriptions of Orthodox, Conservative and Reform views and procedures. Contains a bibliography, summaries of the lives of some famous Jews-by-choice, and exercises to familiarize students with issues surrounding conversion.]

[Eps94]
Epstein, Lawrence J. Conversion to Judaism: A Guidebook. Jason Aronson; 1994, 1997. Paperback. ISBN 1-568211-28-7. [Discusses stories about converts, the conversion process, how to overcome common problems associated with conversion and includes introductory material on Jewish thought and practices.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568211287/socculturejewish/]

[Eps98]
Epstein, Lawrence J. Questions and Answers on Conversion to Judaism. Jason Aronson; 1998. Paperback. ISBN 0-765759-96-9.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0765759969/socculturejewish/]

[Fel90]
Feldman, Emanuel; Wolowelsky, Joel B. (ed). The Conversion Crisis: Essays from the Pages of Tradition (Treasury of Tradition Series). Ktav Publishing House; 1990. Paperback. ISBN 0-881253-34-0.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881253340/socculturejewish/]

[Fio92]
Fiorino, Anthony. "One Soul's Adventure: Spiritual Growth Through Halacha" in Jewish Action. Orthodox Union (O-U). Vol 53 #2, winter 1992/93. [An account of a personal experience as a ger, and the spiritual growth that resulted]

[Hom97]
Homolka, Jacob; Jacob, Walter (ed); Seidel, Esther (ed). Not by Birth Alone: Conversion to Judaism (Jewish Studies). Cassell Academic; 1997. Paperback. ISBN 0-304338-09-5.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0304338095/socculturejewish/]

[Hubxx]
Huberman, Steven. New Jews: The Dynamics of Conversion. UAHC Press No. 164053. [Concise investigation into the impact of conversion on the convert and the family.]

[Kli99]
Kling, Simcha; Perkins, Carl M. Embracing Judaism. The Rabbinical Assembly; 1999. Paperback. 2nd revised edition. ISBN 0-916219-15-1.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0916219151/socculturejewish/]

[Kuk81]
Kukoff, Lydia. Choosing Judaism. Union of American Hebrew Congregations; 1981. Paperback. ISBN 0-807401-50-1. [The story of one woman's odyssey from Christianity to Judaism, which confronts the questions and dilemmas of the new Jew.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0807401501/socculturejewish/]

[Lam91]
Lamm, Maurice. Becoming a Jew. Jonathan David Pub; 1991. Hardcover. ISBN 0-824603-50-8. [Designed expressly for non-Jews who are contemplating converting. Contains a section on the experiences of (halachic) converts, in their own words, then an examination of the laws of conversion, then an examination of after the conversion--dealing with Jews, with one's family, holidays, etc. Finally, a section on basic Jewish practice and belief. Lamm is a prominant Orthodox rabbi.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0824603508/socculturejewish/]

[Lam74]
Lamm, Norman. "Love of the Stranger," in The Good Society: Jewish Ethics in Action. N. Lamm, ed. Viking Press, 1974. Out of Print. ISBN 0-670346-53-5. [A series of excerts from the Rambam (t'shuvot and mishnah torah) relating to Conversion with an introduction by Rabbi Lamm.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670346535/socculturejewish/]

[Les95]
Lester, Julius. Lovesong: Becoming a Jew. Bulfinch Pr; 1995. Paperback. ISBN 1-559703-16-4.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1559703164/socculturejewish/]

[Lubxx]
Lubling, Aaron. "Conversion in Jewish Law" in Journal of Halachah and Contemporary Society, #9. [A halachic analysis that points to many of the relevent gemaras and dinim in the Shulchan Aruch and in contemporary t'shuvot.]

[May87]
Mayer, Egon; Augar, Amy. Conversion Among the Intermarried: Choosing to Become Jewish. American Jewish Committee; 1987. Paperback. ISBN 0-874950-91-0.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0874950910/socculturejewish/]

[Myr95]
Myrowitz, Catherine Hall. Finding a Home for the Soul: Interviews With Converts to Judaism. Jason Aronson; 1995. Paperback. ISBN 1-568213-22-0.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1568213220/socculturejewish/]

[Rom90]
Romanoff, Lena. Your People, My People -- Finding Acceptance and Fulfillment as a Jew By Choice. Jewish Publication Society, Philadelphia PA. 1990. Identity Plus; 1999. Paperback. ISBN 1-893382-00-1. [Includes good coverage of the differences in conversion practices between the three main branches of Judaism. Gives insights on how to make conversion work. Non-Orthodox]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1893382001/socculturejewish/]

[Sca92]
Scalamonti, John David. Ordained to Be a Jew: A Catholic Priest's Conversion to Judaism. Ktav Publishing House; 1992. Hardcover. ISBN 0-881254-12-6.[The story of a Catholic priest who became a Jew.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881254126/socculturejewish/]

[Sch85]
Schiffman, Lawrence H. Who Was a Jew: Rabbinic and Halakhic Perspectives on the Jewish Christian Schism. Ktav Publishing House; 1985. Hardcover. ISBN 0-881250-53-8. [A historical analysis of the Jewish-Christian schism, attempting to determine the point at which Christianity was no longer viewed by Judaism as a sect, but rather as a Gentile religion. See especially chapter 3, which deals with conversion.]
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0881250538/socculturejewish/]

[Zak98]
Zakar, Susan M.; Kaufmann, David. Judaism Online: Confronting Spirituality on the Internet. Jason Aronson; 1998. Hardcover. ISBN 0-765799-84-7.
[Buy at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0765799847/socculturejewish/]


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© (c) 1993-2001 Daniel P. Faigin <maintainer@scjfaq.org>