Thinking about becoming Jewish? Our online conversion program lets you study at your own pace, from anywhere in the United States or Canada. You’ll have real rabbis and a warm community behind you, and there’s no pressure and no rush.
To get started, email conversions@simshalom.com or call 201-338-0165.
How it works
- Reach out. We’ll send you a Letter of Understanding and set up a short online session to show you around.
- Take eight online courses at your own pace: Torah, Shabbat, holidays, kashrut, Jewish symbols, Jewish history, and life cycle events.
- Join at least four monthly group sessions online, where you can ask questions and learn with others.
- Visit synagogues of different denominations, to see the variety of Jewish life and find where you feel at home.
- Go to the mikvah. You can use a local mikvah or a natural body of water like a lake, river, or ocean.
- Meet with a Bet Din of three rabbis online. They’ll welcome you into the Jewish people, and you’ll get your certificate of conversion by email.
What we don’t require
We don’t require circumcision or hatafat dam brit, a symbolic drop of blood. We respect each person’s medical, personal, and spiritual situation, and we focus on sincere learning and Jewish living.
Fees
- $150 per course (8 courses), paid before each one
- $300 Bet Din fee
- About $75 for books
A word about recognition
When you finish our program, you are Jewish. Please know that Orthodox and most Conservative communities don’t recognize liberal conversions, including Reform and Reconstructionist ones. Our conversion also isn’t meant for making aliyah under Orthodox standards.
Sim Shalom is a Jewish Universalist community, and after you convert you’re free to choose whatever Jewish path feels right for you. If your journey ever leads somewhere more traditional, more study would only be a blessing.
You’re part of the community, too
You don’t have to wait until you finish to join us. Students are welcome at all of our weekly Zoom services. It’s a great way to practice what you’re learning, ask questions, and make friends who will cheer you on.
We can’t wait to welcome you. We hope to see you on Zoom soon!