Congregation Agudath Jacob July Sivan/Tammuz 5776 www.agudath-waco.org Rabbi: Ben-Zion Lanxner President: Abbye Silver Phone: 254-772-1451 Office Admin: Amanda Henson Fax: 254-772-2471 Rabbi@agudath-waco.org Cajassistant@grandecom.net This bulletin is published twelve times per year by Congregation Agudath Jacob a non profit organization. Founded in 1888 Celebrating 128 years Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Last Shabbat I had the honor, privilege and pleasure in welcoming officially two families, Brandon, Teresa, Liberty and Eliana Harris along with Joseph Settle into our Holy Covenant of Abraham. As I mentioned in my sermon, after satisfying the requirements of our Beit Din (they each met with me and two other Rabbis in a conversation that lasted a bit less than one hour, and then went to immerse in the Mayim Chayim, the waters of the ritual Mikvah), they all completed the long process of conversion and are now Jews, as fully and deeply as anyone born Jewish. The process is a bit more complicated than what I have described in a few sentences, but it is not too mysterious. I often am surprised by the misunderstandings and misapprehensions that many people have about conversion to Judaism. I want to take some of the mystery out of the process and clarify what is required to become a Jew. Being the Mara deatra, (the religious ritual decision maker Rabbi of Cong. Agudath Jacob), I have the responsibility to enforce conversion requirements for the candidates which I sincerely believe are going to go through the process successfully. As a Conservative Rabbi with an Orthodox Smichah and background, I might have some more requirements than some other Conservative Rabbis. Specifically, a put a lot of stress on keeping Kosher, on Shabbat and holiday observances, on Synagogue attendance for services and classes, Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner Demystifying Conversions to Judaism on reading Hebrew fluently, on making Torah study a priority on a regular basis along with observing the Mitzvot, on donning Tefilin (for male), and last but not least, on Taharat Hamishpacha (family purity- Mikvah). No deviation of these requirements will be accepted. Having said that, here are some of the questions I commonly hear about conversion: "Do you really have to get naked in front of a bunch of rabbis?" This is, by far, the most common question. The simple and honest answer is "No." The final ritual of conversion is immersing in a Mikvah. It is a very private experience that should be offered with great consideration for the modesty of the person who is immersing. The immersion must be done in a way that allows the person to enter the water with no barrier between the water and his or her body. So, yes, the person immersing does have to be naked. However, the "bunch of rabbis," do not watch the immersion. Typically, the Beit din (the "rabbinic court" of at least three rabbis), stands outside the door of the Mikvah room to hear the conversion candidate pronounce the blessings. Also, typically, there is a guide of the same gender as the person immersing who acts as a witness to make sure that the person's entire body (including hair) is immersed under the water to confirm that the immersion is "kosher."
"I've heard that the rabbi is supposed to turn people away three times before accepting them as conversion students/candidates. Is that true?" Much of the basis for conversion established by the ancient Rabbis is taken from the book of Ruth. In that biblical story, the non- Jewish Ruth wished to travel with her Jewish mother-in-law Naomi to the Land of Israel and join herself to the Jewish people. Three times in the story, Naomi told Ruth to go back to her own people. Three times, Ruth refused. She finally declared, "Your people shall be my people. Your God shall be my God" (Ruth 1:16). From this biblical precedent, the Rabbis of the Talmud developed the ancient practice of discouraging would-be converts three times before accepting them as students. That practice is still observed literally today. In addition, candidates for conversion are asked to challenge themselves repeatedly about their beliefs, their identity and their reasons for converting throughout the conversion process. "I thought Jews didn't practice proselytism. Is that true?" Judaism was, perhaps, the first religion to accept converts, beginning more than 2,000 years ago. In fact, the English word "proselyte" comes from an ancient Greek word meaning, "a person who converts to Judaism." During the centuries in which Jews were persecuted, Rabbis discouraged the practice of seeking and accepting proselytes because it could be fatal. The Romans in the second century C.E. established the death penalty for converts to Judaism and for the Rabbis who converted them. In the modern era, there is less reason to shun conversion. In the 1970s, Some Conservative and Reform Rabbis established outreach programs to attract "unchurched" people who were interested in conversion to Judaism, especially the non-jewish spouses of Jews. The policy of outreach has been accepted by most non-orthodox branches of Judaism today. "How long does it take to convert?" Most Rabbis ask candidates to spend a year in preparation for conversion, and there are several good reasons for this. The first is that, over the course of that year, the candidate will have a chance to experience a full cycle of Jewish holidays and other observances, to reflect on their meanings and to consider how they will experience them as a Jew. The second reason is more subtle. Converting to Judaism is not just an external process, like putting on a new suit. It requires some internal, emotional processing and integration of a new identity. I'm always delighted to hear the shift in language of a candidate as, "What does Judaism say about?" slowly transforms into, "How do we do?" It takes time for that change in perspective to happen. I often tell candidates that they will know when they are ready to formally convert it will happen when they feel that they already are Jewish on the inside. "What do you have to do to convert?" This varies from one Rabbi to another. Most Rabbis ask conversion candidates to take some kind of "Introduction to Judaism" course. These usually meet weekly over some number of months. In urban areas, they may be offered by a large synagogue, a group of congregations, or by a Jewish Community Center. In more rural areas, it may be harder to find a course and Rabbis may be more lax in requiring it. It is also typical for Rabbis to ask candidates to meet with them regularly, often once a month, to talk about the conversion process, to answer questions, and to offer spiritual guidance. If the candidate is married or engaged to a Jew, the partner is usually invited or encouraged to attend the classes and the meetings with the Rabbi. "Is there a test?" No test. Converting to Judaism is not an academic course. There is no grade. There are no right and wrong answers. I encourage conversion candidates to spend time learning
about the things that interest them, challenge them, and inspire them about Judaism. One year is not enough time to learn everything that a person might learn about our tradition a lifetime is not enough. Once candidates are ready to proceed with the final rituals of conversion, I ask them to write a "spiritual autobiography" usually one to three pages that tells their personal story of becoming Jewish. This narrative becomes the initial focus of the conversation with the Beit din. Typically, candidates meet with the Beit Din for 30 to 50 minutes to talk about their conversion process, about their developing relationship to Torah, to God and to the Jewish people. After the meeting with the Beit Din, most candidates are ready to proceed with Mikvah. "Does converting to Judaism mean that you can't have a Christmas tree?" You'd be surprised how often I hear this specific question! It speaks to the very powerful memories that many people have of Christmas from childhood. Even people who grew up in families that were not particularly Christian or "religious" sometimes feel a sense of loss when they think of Christmas without a tree. So, here is the scoop: Converts to Judaism accept Judaism as their only religion. Converting to Judaism means that a person no longer accepts any other gods or "redeemer," including Jesus. There are plenty of people who have Christmas trees purely out of a sense of family tradition, not out of religious conviction, but this does not change the fact that the Christmas tree is a Christian symbol and practice related to the birth of Jesus. Why would a Jew who is a member of an exclusively Jewish family want to continue that practice? Getting over the "Christmas Tree Question" can be hard for some converts, but it is by no means the most difficult part of accepting a Jewish identity. "What about circumcision?" Men have an additional requirement to convert beyond study and immersion in a Mikvah. Ritual circumcision is the primary symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Jewish boys are circumcised on the eighth day of life, so most people who are born as Jews have no memory of their circumcision (good thing). Men who were circumcised as infants who are converting to Judaism usually undergo a simple ritual called Hatafat Dam B'rit ("the covenant of drawn blood"), in which a drop of blood is drawn from the penis. It is a quick and relatively painless procedure. Men who are uncircumcised have a somewhat more complicated path. Adult circumcision is a safe and common procedure, but it does require a week or two of recovery time. Pain relief is usually necessary on the day of the procedure only. Most Rabbis require circumcision for uncircumcised male conversion candidates. Some Reform rabbis do not. It's best to have an honest conversation about it with your Rabbi. "Do some Jews look down on converts or not take them seriously?" I hear this question a lot from people who feel like they don't "look Jewish," or who have surnames that don't "sound Jewish." Since ancient times, the rabbinic answer to this question has been clear: Converts to Judaism are, in every way, the equal of those who are born Jewish. Some would go further to say that converts are presumed to have a higher level of commitment and connection to Judaism because they have made the free-will choice to join the Jewish people. The Talmud speaks of great Jewish scholars in antiquity who were converts. Still, it would be untrue not to acknowledge that Judaism is a culture, in addition to being a religion, and cultural attitudes and habits don't change easily. However, most converts will say that they enjoy adopting some aspects of Jewish culture language, foods and habits of family gathering but they do not regard those cultural traits as necessary for conversion or a barrier to inclusion in Jewish community. It is true that there are some people in the Jewish community who will say that, "If you didn't grow up with chicken soup in your blood, you'll never know what it feels like to be really
Jewish." That attitude, as unfortunate as it may be, seems to be waning. As the Jewish community is becoming more diverse, more Jews recognize that the Jewish community becomes stronger as it includes people from different backgrounds, races and cultures. There is no one "right way" to look Jewish. Any name that belongs to a Jew is, by definition, a Jewish name. "Is conversion with a non-orthodox Rabbi accepted by Orthodox Jews?" Unfortunately, the answer to this question is usually, "No." Most Orthodox Rabbis require conversion candidates to adhere to their standards of Shabbat observance and observance of kashrut (Jewish dietary laws). Even if a conversion candidate does observe these traditional laws, Orthodox Rabbis are unlikely to accept a conversion that is not completed under Orthodox supervision. On the other hand, in the non-orthodox world, conversions are recognized between different movements. In general, a person who converts to Judaism with a Reform Rabbi will be recognized as a Jew by a Conservative Rabbi as long as the conversion included immersion in a Mikvah and circumcision by a Mohel (no just a Physician) or the equivalent for a man. In my experience, I find that most conversion candidates don't care too much about whether every Jew will accept them as Jews. They are more concerned about whether they will see themselves as Jews. "Are converts able to immigrate to Israel?" The standards for Jewish identity under Israel's Law of Return are different from the standards of Israel's Orthodox Rabbinic Authority. Israel's Supreme Court has ruled that Jews converted to Judaism by nonorthodox Rabbis can, in most cases, qualify for immigration under the Law of Return. (This is the Israeli law that allows Jews to immediately become Israeli citizens upon permanent immigration to Israel.) However, such a person will probably not be able to be registered as a Jew once in Israel because that recognition is administered by the Orthodox Rabbinic Authority. So, it is possible to move to Israel and become an Israeli citizen as a Jew, and yet not to be accepted as a Jew legally within Israeli society. This, like most things related to Jewish identity, is a contentious political issue in Israel. The good news is that things are beginning to change. The Masorti (Conservative) Movement in Israel is making some progress regarding conversions. Let us remain hopefull, let us all pray and hope (Tikvah) that soon this urgent matter will be resolve. If you have questions, you can check with an Israeli consulate for more information. I am sure there are more questions. I am sure that there are more answers to the questions I have presented. The important thing is that there should be no mystery about it. Conversion can be a beautiful and amazing experience for individuals and families. I had a wonderful time last Shabbat with Hanna, Yossef Chaim, Ariella and Batia Harris and Yossef Settle. They have only been Jewish for a few days, but I can already tell that they are going to be great Jews and wonderful additions to our Congregation. Kein Yirbu (it is a traditional expression which suggests that they multiply ). Have a great summer! Sincerely, Rabbi Ben-Zion Lanxner
Friday, July 1 Saturday, July 2 Friday, July 8 Saturday, July 9 Friday, July 15 8:20 p.m. 9:19 p.m. 8:19 p.m. 9:18 p.m. 8:17 p.m. Saturday, July 16 Friday, July 22 Saturday, July 23 Friday, July 29 Saturday, July 30 9:15 p.m. 8:13 p.m. 9:11 p.m. 8:09 p.m. 9:06 p.m. July 2 Drs. Cemetery Restoration Fund Justin Lynn Michael Lucas Leonard Englander In Honor of the Harris Family s Conversion Ilsa Burns Judy Hersh In Honor of Stanley Hersh s Birthday Judy Hersh In Honor of Joseph Settles Conversion Judy Hersh Discretionary Fund Please note: At CAJ, the Rabbi s Discretionary Fund is used to make contributions to the Rabbi s choice of charities. If one wishes to give a gift of gratuity to the Rabbi, that check should be made out to the Rabbi personally. Food from the Faithful We will bring Cereals & pastas on an on-going basis. Please bring packages throughout the year and Susan Silver will see that they are delivered to Caritas
July 1 Henry Hacker July 3 Joel Ryan Weissman July 11 Joe Schwartz July 15 Shirley Hoppenstein Kevin Twyeffort July 19 Carolyn Neuwirth July 21 Cheryl Hersh July 25 Eric Kamden Bauer July 26 Inez Bonneville July 28 Walter Zacharias July 29 Jaece Rogers Al Jacobson Naman & Esther Lipinsky Mandel Citrin Phil Citrin Hyman Novy Stanley Novy Hilda Ruttenberg Phyllis Ruttenberg Akmal Wiggins demoville Judy Hersh Richard Brinkley Dorothy Gulman Howard Hoppenstein David Hoppenstein Michael & Marsha Lev Esther Neuwirth Carolyn Neuwirth B.M. Silevitch Dave Lebowitz Sarah Lebowitz Chaym David Lebowitz Frances Lebowitz Leon Lebowitz Betty Birnbach Martin Birnbach & Randee Myers Rosaline Gardner Rina Ruttenberg Rebecca Zoblotsky Morris Zoblotsky The office will be closed Monday, July 4th for the holiday.
The monthly CAJ Board meeting will be held Wednesday, July 13 at Please contact the office if you will be unable to attend. Shabbat Donations May 28 Jake & Simone Bauer Ilsa Burns Howard & Yaffah Miller Miguel Perez June 4 Inez Bonneville Miguel Perez Ilsa Burns David Levy June 11 & 13 Inez Bonneville Ilsa Burns George & Kathleen Keller Howard & Yaffah Miller Gloria Yoder Jake & Simone Bauer Brent & Dianne demoville June 18 Howard & Yaffah Miller Brent & Dianne demoville Gloria Yoder George & Kathleen Keller June 25 Brent & Dianne demoville Brandon & Teresa Harris Stanley &Florence Hersh Miguel Perez
HOW TO OBSERVE THE YAHRZEIT It is traditional to kindle a Yahrzeit Candle in the home on the evening Yahrzeit begins. It should remain lighted until sunset the next day. Possible prayer before lighting a Yahrzeit candle: Eternal God, I/we light this candle in memory of (name), my/our beloved (relationship). The light of the flame rekindles all the warm memories of the moment we shared together, and reassures me /us that a piece of his/her soul dwells in my/our heart(s) forever. May his/her soul be bound up with the bonds of eternal life. Amen. Candles are available at the Gift Shop. Every effort should be made to say Kaddish at congregational services. It is meritorious to perform some Mitzvah or to contribute to the synagogue in commemoration of the deceased. Kaddish will be read on July 1 Sivan 25 Alvin Adelman Edith Schwartz Sivan 26 Harry H. Schwarz Sivan 27 Jack Chodorow B.R. Goldberg Milton Harelik Sol Herzlich Bernard Wolstein A.J. Farmer Julius Caesar Genecov Nathan Julius Genecov Sivan 28 Mrs. Nathan Zidman Sivan 29 Mary Bertha Englander Fannie Fogel Herman Rich Sivan 30 Morris Novy Abe Weitzman Hilda Ruttenberg Kaddish will be read on July 8 Tammuz 3 Sam Levy Esther Goldie Lubin Tammuz 4 Lt. J.A. Englander Tillie Goodman Goldstein Tammuz 5 Annie Geetah Gus Holste Mrs. Joe Kaplan Abe Wizig Tammuz 6 Hyman Fogel Reva Green Morris Zoblotsky Tammuz 7 Leslie Hoffman Tammuz 8 Sam Marks Mary Robinson Kaddish will be read on July 15 Tammuz 9 Dora Kleinman Maurice Rosenberg Mamie Sampson Tammuz 10 Adolph Beerman Isadore Dansky Max Miller Anna Neuwirth Tammuz 11 Israel Genecov Dave Harris Tammuz 12 Mrs. L. Gershowitz Harry Hoffman Tammuz 13 Meyer Heyman Fannye Smith Tammuz 14 Nathan Neuwirth Sam Pinchuk Max Siegel Tammuz 15 Benny H. Green Matley Harelik Kaddish will be read on July 22 Tammuz 16 Annie Adams Phillip Koss Molly Sorkin Marie Solovey Wanger Tammuz 18 Annette Fox Tammuz 19 Louis Ringold Isaac Draiman Tammuz 20 Edwin Bernard Dreyfus Ethel Dickwolf Benson Offit Tammuz 21 Sam Katz Kaddish will be read on July 29 Tammuz 23 Gitle (Gussie) Jacobson Claire Seriff Tammuz 24 Max Israel Ida Knobler Mrs. M. Novy Morris Rubinsky Tammuz 25 Izadore F. Aronson Kate Kahan Tammuz 26 Hannah Wolpo Gray Sidney Lynn Tammuz 27 Leon Jacobson Herma Benjamin Tammuz 28 Ida Budin David Fuller Edna Levy Tammuz 29 Mose Genecov Emanuel Wizig
July 2016 25 Sivan 5776-25 Tammuz 5776 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4:56AM/8:03PM 1 2 7:45PM 4:56AM/8:03PM 8:48PM 4:57AM/8:03PM 4:57AM/8:03PM 4:58AM/8:03PM 4:58AM/8:02PM 4:59AM/8:02PM 5:00AM/8:02PM 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Minyan & Class Office Closed Rosh Hodesh I Rosh Hodesh II Tanya 4:30 p.m. 25 Sivan 26 Sivan Bava Kamma 31 Bava Kamma 32 7:44PM 5:00AM/8:01PM 8:46PM 27 Sivan 28 Sivan 29 Sivan 30 Sivan 1 Tammuz 2 Tammuz 3 Tammuz Bava Kamma 33 Bava Kamma 34 Bava Kamma 35 Bava Kamma 36 Bava Kamma 37 Bava Kamma 38 Bava Kamma 39 5:01AM/8:01PM 5:02AM/8:00PM 5:03AM/8:00PM 5:03AM/7:59PM 5:04AM/7:59PM 5:05AM/7:58PM 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Minyan & Class Board Meeting Tanya 4:30 p.m. 7:40PM 5:06AM/7:58PM 8:43PM 4 Tammuz 5 Tammuz 6 Tammuz 7 Tammuz 8 Tammuz 9 Tammuz 10 Tammuz Bava Kamma 40 Bava Kamma 41 Bava Kamma 42 Bava Kamma 43 Bava Kamma 44 Bava Kamma 45 Bava Kamma 46 5:07AM/7:57PM 5:07AM/7:56PM 5:08AM/7:56PM 5:09AM/7:55PM 5:10AM/7:54PM 5:11AM/7:53PM 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Minyan & Class Tanya 4:30 p.m. 7:35PM 5:12AM/7:53PM 8:38PM 11 Tammuz 12 Tammuz 13 Tammuz 14 Tammuz 15 Tammuz 16 Tammuz 17 Tammuz Bava Kamma 47 Bava Kamma 48 Bava Kamma 49 Bava Kamma 50 Bava Kamma 51 Bava Kamma 52 Bava Kamma 53 5:13AM/7:52PM 5:13AM/7:51PM 5:14AM/7:50PM 5:15AM/7:49PM 5:16AM/7:48PM 5:17AM/7:47PM 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 8:37PM Fast of Tammuz 17 Tanya 4:30 p.m. 7:29PM 5:18AM/7:46PM 8:31PM 31 18 Tammuz 19 Tammuz 20 Tammuz 21 Tammuz 22 Tammuz 23 Tammuz 24 Tammuz Bava Kamma 54 Bava Kamma 55 Bava Kamma 56 Bava Kamma 57 Bava Kamma 58 Bava Kamma 59 Bava Kamma 60 5:19AM/7:45PM Minyan & Class 25 Tammuz Bava Kamma 61 [, Observance End, Printed June 29, 2016/23 Sivan 5776 for Canton, Ohio]