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Based on questionnaire responses of more than 400 converts, this book provides a description of the religious and cultural background of converts to Reform and Conservative Judaism, their religious beliefs and practices before and after conversion, their Jewish community involvement, and childrearing practices. Information about the converts' native Jewish spouses is also provided.
A comparison between these couples and in-married spouses rounds out the picture and points up the similarities and differences between the two groups.
The four hundred responses were drawn from participants in the Introduction to Judaism course co-sponsored since 1973 by the Reform and Conservative rabbinical associations in Chicago.
Enhancing its usefulness, Jews by Choice contains an historical survey of intermarriage patterns and conversion in the United States, as well as a summary discussion of rabbinic concerns and rulings regarding intermarriage and conversion in Jewish history. Finally, a chapter detailing the authors' recommendations for speeding converts' integration into the Jewish community round out the book.
