Conversion to Judaism
Question
How can me and my family convert into a Jewish ? Is it possible to get a membership to be a Jew?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
While Judaism does not encourage conversion, and in fact, a potential convert is turned away three times, any person who truly desires to join the Jewish people will be welcome to do so.
One who wishes to convert must first seek out his or her local orthodox rabbi and arrange for a meeting. If the conversion candidate is approved, the rabbi will guide the potential convert through years of rigorous study. After such study, along with a proven knowledge of the mitzvot and a commitment to observe them, the actual formal conversion process will be carried out.
The actual conversion process is performed in the presence of a “Beit Din” a Jewish court made up of three rabbis who specialize in this area of Jewish law.
The components of the conversion ceremony are:
1. To publically declare allegiance to the Torah and to commit to observe all the mitzvot
2. Bris Mila, (circumcision) for men. If a man is already circumcised, a small drop of blood is drawn from that area in what can be called a “symbolic circumcision.” This latter procedure is also knows as a “hatafat dam bris.”
3. Immersion in a mikva, a Jewish ritual bath.
Once this is all completed the convert will receive a certificate from the Beit Din testifying that the bearer of the certificate is Jewish.
A convert is essentially treated no different than any other Jew and may join any congregation and participate in services like everyone else.
Source
Yevamot 47
Tractate Gerim 1:1
Rambam, Hilchot Issurei Biah, Chapter 13
Shulchan Aruch, YD 268