Final Preparation and visit

Have I satisfied all the requirements?

Conversion Requirements-details below

Bet Din Chair Rabbi Shlomo Levine, former President Chicago Board of Rabbis and

Chicago region Rabbinical Assembly. Rabbi Neil Brief assists.

1. Complete the Course=readings? terms turned in? videos watched/lectures attended (Chicago students)? Values read?

2. Commit to complete an Introduction to Hebrew course or program to be able to read simple hebrew.

3. Attend Shabbat services regularly if possible.

4. Demonstrate commitment to Jewish living.

5. Satisfactorily complete conversion essay. ESSAY FOR CONVERSION CANDIDACY

The paper is to address the following questions. There is no prescribed length; just answer each question thoroughly. If you have any questions you may email Rabbi@convertjudaism.org. When the paper is completed, send to this email address.

1. Describe the factors which have drawn you to Judaism.

2. Which Jewish values do you find most appealing and persuasive?

3. How is Judaism more appropriate for you than your former religion or worldview/lifestyle?

4. Describe your understanding of and relationship to God.

5. How has your personal and home life changed because of Jewish tradition? How do see your Jewish life progressing in the future?

6. Describe your sense of identification with the Jewish people in relation to Israel , world Jewry, the local Jewish community and your synagogue.

7. What is your commitment to prayer, Shabbat and keeping kosher?

8. How do you plan to continue your Jewish study?

Your paper will be shared with the two other members of the Bet Din ( Rabbinical Court ) who are supportive of your decision to join the Jewish people.

6. Meet with or spoken with us as needed.

7. Candidate attests that he/she no longer practices another religion and holds no beliefs

Incompatible with Judaism. Appear before a Beit Din (rabbinical tribunal) at which time you will

be asked the following questions as well as others:

Then, you will be asked toread and sign the Declaration of Faith in Front of the Bet Din.

DECLARATION OF FAITH to be read in front of Bet Din and signed

I hereby declare my desire to accept the principles of the Jewish religion, to follow its practices and ceremonies, and to become a member of the Jewish people. I do this of my own free will, with an understanding of the significance of the tenets and practices of Judaism, and full realization of the commitment I herewith assume.

I pray that my present conviction may guide me through life, that I may be worthy of the sacred tradition and fellowship which I now join. As I am thankful for the privileges thus bestowed upon me, I pray that I may always remain conscious of the duties which are mine as a member of the House of Israel.

I declare my determination to maintain a Jewish home, and accept Kabbalat Ol Mitzvote-the yoke of the commandments incumbent upon all Jews: a commitment to the God of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and the people of Israel . I pledge to live the Jewish way of holiness by accepting the mitzvot of Judaism now and always, here and wherever I may be. I have determined to the best of my ability, to make the following Jewish observances an integral part of both my life and that of my family: Jewish education for all children to be born or adopted by me, observance of Shabbat and holidays, incorporation of kashrut, affiliation with a synagogue and attendance at services, regular prayer, gemilut hasadim deeds of loving kindness, identifying with the Jewish community and the State of Israel, and the study of Torah. Should I be blessed with children, I pledge to bring them into the Covenant of Abraham and to rear all children with whom God may bless me in loyalty to the Jewish faith and practices.

HEAR, O ISRAEL : THE LORD IS OUR GOD, THE LORD ALONE.

PRAISED BE HIS SOVEREIGN GLORY FOREVER

Witnesses:

. Date ..

. Place ..

8. Satisfactorily completes memorization assignment.

9. Satisfactorily completes 100 questiontest.

10. Candidate receives approval for conversion by Bet Din (Rabbinical tribunal).

11. Complete ritual immersion in mikveh for males and females, milah or hatafat dam brit for males. Males will require prior circumcision. If already circumcised, a ritual circumcision is required. That is called hatafat dam brit and will taken care by the mohel (religious circumcisor) at the mikvah.

Males and females will require immersion in a mikvah (ritual bath). If female, the date will be scheduled twelve days after the onset of your period, unless the female is post menopause.

Carol, the mikvah attendant will call you before the date and explain what happens. Shell tell you what to bring and do. Shell also speak to you there. It is very likely there will be other conversions with us that day. If you are male and having a hatafat dam brit, the mohel will also speak to you in advance.

In the mikvah you immerse once and recite

The blessing in the mikveh are as follows:

Barukh atah Ado-nai Elo-henu melekh ha'olam asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu al ha'tevillah.

Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us regarding the immersion.

then immerse twice more and recite

Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-noi E-lo-hei-nu Me-lech Ha-olom
She-heh-che-yah-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-he-gi-a-nu Laz-man Ha-zeh.

The Shehechiyanu blessing reminds us that life is a gift from God. It reminds us to experience the joy in this moment. And it reminds us to cherish our blessings.

Translation

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and sustained us, and enabled us to reach this moment.

I. When you get out and get dressed, well sing and then read aloud your Conversion Admission and Hebrew name.

You will receive 4 documents from our bet din (five if a male)

1. Signed declaration of Faith
2. Course completion
3. Hebrew conversion document
4. English conversion document
5. If male, certification that hatafat dam brit was performed.

Wedding-some engaged or married couples, where one or both parties are converting, wish to add a Jewish wedding to this marvelous journey. You can actually get a wedding license at the Skokie courthouse 24 hrs before the wedding. Come in early, enjoy Chicago, get converted and then have a huppah/ketuba Jewish ceremony. If you are already married legally, you can still have the Jewish ceremony here.

Naming-the bet din concludes the conversion with a blessing and naming ceremony at the mikvah. If you plan your visit to spend Shabbat here, some converts enjoy coming to our services and having a blessing at the synagogue (no fee for this).

Well keep a set too but keep them safe.

Mazel tov!!!! You are a Jew, as Jewish as anyone else.

12. Pick out a Hebrew name (we can help . For legal/spiritual purposes your parents will be Abraham and Sarah

Steps to complete before the actual conversion with our Bet Din (religious tribunal of 3 rabbis).-(if you are converting with some other bet din and just taking our course, they may have different requirements so ask them) .

A. If converting with us, Final fees payable the day of the conversion

-ask us for current final fees amount

MIKVAH LOCATION

Chicago Visit for conversion

Bet Din cell phone 847-331-3584

Mikveh Carols phone= 847-256-4699

Mikveh location

Directions to beth Hillel Bnai Emunah

We are conveniently located near Glenview Road and the Edens Expressway (I-94). View us on Google Maps.

3220 Big Tree Lane
Wilmette, IL 60091

Hotels in Skokie-very close to the synagogue

Comfort Inn Skokie

local.yahoo.com

(847) 679-4200
9333 Skokie Blvd
Skokie, IL

Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center Chicago North Shore

9599 Skokie Blvd.,Skokie, Illinois, United States60077
Tel:1-847-679 7000 Fax:1-847-679 2327

Also near by

Hampton Inn Old Orchard Rd

and Holiday Inn on Touhy

Kosher Food

www.cityofchicago.org/tourism

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John G Shedd Aquarium- www.sheddaquarium.org
1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago - (312) 939-2426

Museum of Science & Industry- www.msichicago.org
5700 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago - (773) 684-9844

Art Institute of Chicago the: Museum Information & Events of The- www.artic.edu
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago - (312) 443-3600

Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

Want to know what's happening at The Field Museum this weekend? Check out these exciting ... 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2496 312.922.9410 ...
www.fieldmuseum.org/ -