Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends
Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends
- ISBN13: 9780805210958
- Condition: New
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Married to a convert herself, Anita Diamant provides advice and information that can transform the act of conversion into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Here you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, a Hebrew name; how to handle the difficulty of putting aside Christmas; what happens at the mikvah (ritual bath) or at a hatafat dam brit (circumcision ritual for those already circumcised); how to find your footing in a new spiritual family that is not always well prepared to receive you; and how not to lose your bonds to your family of origin. Diamant anticipates all the questions, doubts, and concerns, and provides a comprehensive explanation of the rules and rituals of conversion.
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(out of 51 reviews)
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John Ronald’s review for Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends:
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I had a close female friend who was converting to Judaism a few years ago, and she got me interested in it. I checked out this book from the library and was amazed how richly informative and caringly written it was…this book is indeed a mitzvah. I think the earlier reviewer’s criticism of Ms. Diamant’s supposed assertion that the principles she introduces do not apply to Orthodox conversions is a little misguided…I think Ms. Diamant is merely acknowledging her lack of expertise in Orthodox matters and prefers to defer to an actual authority on Orthodoxy rather than attempt to tackle that area herself…she is a born Jew but raised in a more liberal tradition. But yes, the book provides spiritual enlightenment to all would-be converted Jews, be they ultimately Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist.I ultimately never made that leap, though I no longer really consider myself Christian anymore, either. I agree w/ Judaism too much for that. I guess i’m just a secular pagan Stoic, a friendly gentile w/ a deep admiration for Judaism and its traditions…and I’m probably too much the hellenic sensualist to fit the Jewish mold anyway. But it was a very spiritually uplifiting experience, my close encounter with Judaism, and this book was a profound part of that experience.Highly recommend it to anyone converting or who knows a friend or family member who is pondering conversion.
’s review for Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends:
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I have had a building interest in Judaism for more than 5 years now and have been contemplating conversion for more than a year. I agree with one reviewer (she encountered certain individuals that “discouraged her” and therefore she decided to study Orthodoxy) in that many religious or Orthodox Jews still do not acknowledge converts nor do they encourage conversion but as the book mentions, the first Jews, Abraham and Sarah were converts. To convert because you happen to be engaged to a Jew is not a reason to convert and I think because that situation is becoming more and more common the book discusses conversion within a relationship or family as well as a single person converting for their own reasons.As a single woman contemplating conversion I found myself questioning a lot of different things and I didn’t know who or what to turn to. I met with a Conservative Rabbi that was not necessarily encouraging but was open to helping me the best way that he could. I don’t know if it was because he was an Assistant Rabbi or because he wasn’t the right Rabbi for me but I chose to discontinue meeting with him and continued my search for “my” Rabbi as the book mentions. I think the Rabbi you choose makes a huge difference in that he/she will be your guide and teacher on your journey through the conversion process. This book has answered so many of my questions that I thought no one could answer. I thought I was the only one that was concerned with whether Israel would ever feel like a “homeland” to me or why some Jews I spoke with were so open and welcoming while others were close-minded and discouraging. This book has been a huge help to me and if you are contemplating Judaism, this is a great start. It’s important to know that while the book won’t answer all of a convert’s questions (some questions will only be answered by you and your own feelings) it will answer many and be a great start.
’s review for Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends:
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I picked up this book as an effort to further my ponderings on Judaism, and was not disapointed. Diamant has created a user friendly, practical and heartfelt guide to Conversion that is filled with useful information, tips, telephone numbers, suggested reading material, and all the other goodies including sample prayers, poems, gift suggestions and advice.Diamant does an excelent job of conveying the seriousness of the choice to Convert, and explains in plain language what some of the problems you’ll face as a convert are. “The December Dilemma”, cool responses from born-Jews, telling your family about your decision to convert, and more.If this book has one flaw it is that its focus is very narrow, focusing on the nuts and bolts of conversion only and not covering ideas and processes for practicing a Jewish life which is entwined with the conversion experience.All in all a hearty recomendation.–AM
Ada C. Szeto’s review for Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends:
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For some people, to change one’s religious faith is not an easy task. For others, their decision is based on pragmatic reasons or from a strong internal conviction and hence their choice is clearer – less cluttered with doubts and fears. In her book, “Choosing A Jewish Life”, Anita Diamant addresses the issues involved in conversion and she writes her book to guide both the perplexed and those who have already made their decision. Diamant’s intention on writing this book was to provide an approachable and practical guide to those who are in the process of converting to the Jewish faith. At the beginning of each section, there is a list of questions which resemble the FAQ’s (frequently asked questions) found in so many web sites. She then proceeds to answer these questions and her compassion and love of the religion shines in her answers. Diamant rarely has one answer for each question. Rather she formulates a reply with the consideration of individuals who have different needs and philosophies. For instance, in the chapter about informing one’s parents about converting, she writes, “Every family is different. In some households, intimate conversations are completely taboo and there may be little or no discussion of your decision. There are families where conversion becomes the focus of unrelated and long-standing family issues. And sometimes converts confront the painful fact that members of their immediate family harbor anti-Semitic stereotypes about Jews and Judaism.” Many rabbis and advanced Jewish scholars would undoubtedly be annoyed with the brief coverage of some of the Jewish rituals and mitzvoth in this book. They many even have an issue with the proselyting tone coming from Diamant’s gentle encouragement. Clearly “Choosing A Jewish Life” was written for the uninitiated and “beginners” of the Jewish faith and should not be taken as the all encompassing text for learning about Jewish life. It does however cover certain conversion issues in detail such as the pain of leaving Christian festivities, what happens during the conversion rituals of bet din and the mikvah, the conversion of children, and several concrete descriptions of how people celebrated their conversion with the temple community or just family and friends. The covenant of circumcision (B’rit Milah) is also covered in depth from a historical view point to the Hatafat Dam B’rit, the religious ritual for converts who are not circumcised.On a personal note, I found “Choosing A Jewish Life” to be an easy read but lacking in the comprehensive discussion of the halakhah and contemporary reform Jewish practices found in the other books recommended by our rabbi. This book is a good place to start for the curious and those beginning on the path to conversion but should not be taken as the exclusive handbook for Jewish conversion. As to acknowledge this point, in the appendices Diamant provides a practical resource guide to the different Jewish movements and a short bibliography for converts and the process of conversion.
Roddy Macdonald’s review for Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends:
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A truly loving book, that feels as if it was written personally for you. If you are considering conversion to Judaism, no matter by what path, this is a book that you must read. Of all the books that I read going through this long process this was by far the best. It deals with the real issues that we all face and gives confidence as it is written from an experiential base not shared with many other authors. It is an inclusive book that gives you support and pride in your quest.