Jews by Choice

Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah (BHBE) is home to many Jews by Choice, who have become active members of our congregation and leaders in our progressive community. 

For those who are exploring a possible connection to the Jewish community and conversion to Judaism, we recommend speaking to our rabbi regarding the conversion process. We participate in the Basic Judaism class co-sponsored by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and the Chicago Region of the Rabbinical Assembly. Participants in that class each have a rabbinic sponsor, who mentors them on their path to conversion. The course of study in the class takes approximately one year, during which time the candidate also attends services and meets regularly with the mentoring rabbi. 

When the candidate is deemed ready for conversion, he/she would be brought before a Beit Din, an ad-hoc court of three rabbis, for examination. This will be followed by an immersion in a mikvah, a ritual bath, for both men and women and a berit milah for men. The Mikvah of the Conservative movement in Chicago is housed at BHBE. At this conversion ceremony, the Jew by choice will be blessed and given a Hebrew name.

We recommend that anyone who wishes to explore possible conversion speak to Rabbi Nate Crane, who can be reached through the synagogue office at 847.256.1213.