Conversion To Judaism

Although as a religion we do not actively seek converts, we welcome people who are interested in converting to Judaism here at the synagogue, and we run a Jewish Preparation class for those who are following the process of becoming Jewish.

Wimbledon & District Synagogue follows the procedures and regulations of the Reform Beit Din, and it is from that body that applicants who wish to become Jewish will receive their certification, which is acceptable to non-Orthodox communities around the world as the Reform Movement is part of the World Union of Progressive Judaism.

The process of conversion is a journey and it is impossible to say how long it will take. Every person who does it will do so in an ongoing dialogue with the Rabbi and with other important people in their lives. Briefly, if you are interested in becoming Jewish please contact Rabbi Rothschild at the synagogue and make an appointment to talk. We’d also like you to come to some services here to get a feel of the community with which you will be learning, as well as to have a “shul crawl” around the local communities to be certain that our synagogue is the one you want to be part of.

Before registration with the Beit Din your will undergo your journey into Judaism in consultation with the Rabbi – we’d like you to begin reading, to begin to attend services, to start to ask questions and to practise some of the rituals. Once registered with the Beit Din there is a requirement of a minimum of one year of tuition, so that you will experience a full year of Jewish observance with the opportunity to ask questions and explore your own Jewish practise with formal support. Our Jewish preparation class is taught by Rabbi Rothschild and Mrs Stella Mason, and meets regularly throughout the year. When you are ready to attend the Beit Din we will organise circumcision for males in consultation with a mohel from the Reform Association of Mohalim. The meeting with the Beit Din takes place at the Sternberg Centre for Judaism where there is also a modern mikveh for ritual immersion for the purpose of conversion to Judaism. After the court has accepted the candidate as Jewish, we have a service in the synagogue where the certificate as given and we are able to celebrate as a community and welcome you into the congregation.

If you want to find out more about how you can take your interest in conversion further or find out a little more about it all please contact us by clicking here or read some of the pages in this section of the web site.