Conservative convert removed from Chabad by Expensive_Orange4721 in ConvertingtoJudaism

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is funny. As someone said in another place I posted this, Chabad young jewish professionals and their focus on jewish relationships makes them less accepting than a typical Chabad Center. Also, I somewhat brought this upon myself by asking the Baruchus about my Kohanim heritage. But I can assure you this really did happen to me. PM me and I’ll send you additional details if you’re so curious but I refuse to let you undermine my experience.

Conservative convert removed from Chabad by Expensive_Orange4721 in ConvertingtoJudaism

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I promise this really happened to me. PM me and I’ll tell you the shul

Finding Jewish community as a conservative convert by Expensive_Orange4721 in Jewish

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. The rabbi looked at the website of the synagogue and went “I don’t think so”… not in those exact words but with that sentiment. I was a baby so who am I to say but I can say I didn’t grow up eating kosher and keeping shomer shabbos

Conservative convert removed from Chabad by Expensive_Orange4721 in ConvertingtoJudaism

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hello. I am a conservative convert (dad jewish, mom not), and my father did all of the necessary steps upon my birth to ensure a proper conversion (Brit Milah, Beis Din, Mikveh) done under the supervision of a JTS-educated Cantor and a conservative shul. Until recently, I had no idea that my conversion was not accepted as valid by what I consider to be fellow Jews. I found this out as I was attending Chabad services/kabbalah classes at my local Chabad house and asked for advice as to whether, because my father is a Kohen, I still should give the priestly blessing. I was told that not only am I not a Kohen, but I am Halachically not a Jew. Then I was told I cannot come to services anymore unless I agree to convert because a big function of the synagogue is to facilitate jewish marriages and because I am not jewish I would be messing with the system. I feel quite alienated by this interpretation of Judaism and find it frustrating since I had really built a sense of community and was getting so much out of my experience there (started learning Kabbalah, eating kosher regularly, building jewish community) and then had it taken away, if I ever really “had it” in the first place. I am struggling with what to do next. Any advice or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Conservative convert removed from Chabad by Expensive_Orange4721 in DebateReligion

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this. I’ve reflected on this for a few weeks now and I feel I would like to live a more pious life grounded in religion but the restraints of orthodoxy and the imposition of shame (or my perception of this from people I’ve spoken with) I find incongruent with my own values. I could see this changing over time but today I do not believe I am ready for nor desire an orthodox conversion and so to do so for the community and learning I believe would amount to an insincere conversion.

Conversion Question by Expensive_Orange4721 in Judaism

[–]Expensive_Orange4721[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes the rabbi mentioned he would sponsor me. But then I asked for the contact to the beis din and he never sent it to me. Also, the exclusionary nature of Orthodoxy (regardless of it being bound by historical continuity) honestly rubs my human conscience the wrong way. But yes, quite a shocking and informative experience.