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From: de@moscom.UUCP (Dave Esan)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Conversion Controversy
Message-ID: <510@moscom.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-Feb-85 14:44:39 EST
Article-I.D.: moscom.510
Posted: Tue Feb 19 14:44:39 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 21-Feb-85 06:08:20 EST
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[There are too many previous articles to reference.]

The present discussion on conversion has many areas where it may
naturally lead;  however there is an area that we should try to
avoid, and that is generalization.  Not all Orthodox agree on anything,
as a matter of fact, there is probably little that they do agree on.
The same applies to the Conservative and the Reform movements.  Not
all Orthodox consider the other movements to be heretical, nor do all
the members of the other movements consider the Orthodox to be too frumm.
Lets avoid general attacks, and concentrate on the issues.

I have serious difficulty with non-Orthodox conversion, but not for
religious reasons.  I just am not sure what they accomplish.  While
my statistical base is small, I have seen people who converted through
the Orthodox process act, think and feel Jewish, and become pillars of
the community.  I cannot say that for those I've seen who converted other-
wise.  One even converted after Purim, and on Pesach ate chometz (leavened
bread) (the two holidays are 30 days apart).

I am sure that there are people who converted Conservative and Reform who
are Jewish (to use the running definition).  I would be interested in
other people's experiences.  I would also be interested in why someone would
convert and then not observe, unless of course the conversion was for
marriage. (Hmm, seems to be a point buried here --).)

David Esan (!moscom!de)