The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas will once again offer a community-wide course, “Judaism for Conversion Candidates,” beginning Aug. 18.
The comprehensive year-long course is designed for adult individuals and taught on a rotating basis by rabbis from the Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and non-denominational movements. Classes are intended to acquaint those considering conversion to Judaism with what it means to live Jewishly. Each student is required to secure a congregational rabbinic sponsor by Feb. 1 and meet the conversion requirements developed by their rabbinic sponsor.
“Over the past decade-plus, the citywide conversion program under the direction of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City has produced a number of sincere, intelligent, and spiritually motivated converts to our faith,” said Rabbi Doug Alpert, Rabbinic Coordinator for the program. “This program is starting up again shortly and is accepting applications from potential candidates. This course is taught by a cross-section of the rabbis of the community and really represents a tapestry of views of the Jewish faith.”
The class provides a comfortable forum for students to learn about Jewish holidays, home celebrations, life-cycle observances, rituals, prayer, history, Torah, Israel, Judaism’s view about God, and Jewish denominations. Each class will include a 30-minute Hebrew component.
Participants will combine Jewish learning with Jewish “doing” as they become part of a shared community and create Jewish memories by taking part in a Shabbat and Havdalah experience. They will also participate in holiday celebrations and observances at Sukkot, Chanukah and Passover. This course allows future Jews-by-choice the opportunity to meet one another and to learn not only about Judaism but also about the Kansas City Jewish community.
According to the Rabbinical Association, students from last year’s class expressed their appreciation of the communal aspect, the wide range of information from the different denominations, the Hebrew teaching, and the depth of knowledge taught.
An orientation session is scheduled for Aug. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. Those interested can visit kcrabbi.org for information and register by contacting Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association Administrator/Program Director, at or 913-327-8226.
Funding for this Rabbinical Association program is generously provided by the Menorah Heritage Foundation and the National Center to Encourage Judaism. This course is taught through a collaborative educational partnership with the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program of American Jewish University.