Q&A for How to Be Jewish

Of course. I am black and I converted. There are also Jews who are born black (like my best friend).

Yes, you can convert regardless of your age!

Just be honest! If you're actually sincere in wanting to convert, you'll come off as such.

Absolutely! Ask a rabbi, Google it, read a book, or talk to any Jew.

It will take about approximately 1-2 years.

Judaism does not require the clearing of sins. Instead, it is expected that people will end up sinning, so the important thing to do is to repent and try to avoid sins in the future.

Under Jewish law, smoking is prohibited due to it being self-harming. I recommend you try further to find healthy alternatives for both your own health and your religious pursuit. Don't give up on quitting! You can still convert as a smoker, but you are obligated to do everything in your power to try to quit.

Yes. If you convert according to the rules of whatever sect you want to be a part of, as soon as you are done converting, you are as much a Jew as anyone else. Some people may be less accepting, but the stance of the religion is that everyone is equal.

Sooner or later, your parents will find out, and you need to be honest with them. You shouldn't be hiding your religion; that indicates you think you're doing something wrong. There's nothing wrong with learning about a different religion.

The same way a man converts. Find a rabbi at a synagogue that you like and talk to them about it.

Be proud of it! Jewish people have managed to stay around for so long with all the persecution and hatred. There is obviously something special about us!

There are Jews of every race. I wouldn't worry about not being allowed to convert.

You definitely can! If you Google it, you should be able to find a synagogue in your area, so feel free to give them a call, and they'll help get you started on the path to conversion.

Contact your local synagogue or temple, and speak with the rabbi about your situation.

Yes, but not to the point of getting drunk! It can still happen, and someone else will need to drive.

Go to a local synagogue at talk to the rabbi. The rabbi is going to try to push you away from converting, but that's part of their job. Just keep saying you want to convert, and the rabbi will help you.

It's not impossible, but it also isn't ideal. Judaism is a communal religion, it's meant to be experienced with others, to share your Jewishness with other Jews. Hasidic and Orthodox Jews will not accept you as Jewish if you do not convert through traditional means, and Conservative and Reform Jews, whereas more lenient, still would like it if you went through a process (usually an Intro class to Judaism followed by a mikveh, sometimes with a full beth din). Reconstructionists have an easier process, but still require you to take classes, attend services, etc. Each Synagogue has its own process, and it is really up to you how you want to go about it.

You can, but you ideally need a rabbi to get started, and you need to ask G-d to bring you to Judaism.

Talk to them about your feelings, your faith, and why you want to become Jewish - perhaps you can convince them to at least allow you to attend synagogue. If not, you might just have to wait until you're a little bit older.

Absolutely, the Jewish faith does not discriminate against people of color.

Yom Kippur is called the Day of Atonement and it is the holiest day of the Jewish year. With true teshuvah (repentance), sins against G-d can be forgiven. If you sin against man, you must first ask that person for forgiveness and then G-d.

By adhering to the Halacha (Torah law) and doing teshuvah (repentance) for sins preformed. The Halacha can be found in the Shulchan Aruch (they have English additions). It would be best to learn with a Rabbi (such as Chabad).

Yes, during Passover, all the people sitting around the table are required to have a few sips of wine.

Talk to family members, perhaps speak to other older people who knew the family, or even learn about Jewish culture and history.

Contact your local synagogue and enquire about the possibility of converting. At the very least, they may encourage you to become a Noahide.

You'll need to become as Messianic Jew to do that. "Regular" Jews see Jesus as a false prophet.

It lasts as long as the person needs to learn how to become a full, observant member of the Jewish faith.

Jews are not baptized through conversion, although there is an immersion in the mikveh. However, the answer to your question is yes. A legitimate convert is only one that has done the entire process through the three rabbis of a kosher beis din, done brit milah (for a man), and immersed in the mikveh.

According to (Orthodox) Jewish law, you are not Jewish if your maternal side isn't Jewish, but many conservative/reform/reconstructionist synagogues will still consider you a jew. Depending on how religious your local Jewish community or synagogue is, you may or may not have to convert in the future. You can still practice Jewish traditions either way.

Both religions believe in one G-d. However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet of G-d and that Muhammad was the final prophet sent by G-d to guide the people. Jews do not believe in these prophets. Additionally, Jews and Muslims have different traditions and holidays. Muslims pray five times a day and fast for a month during Ramadan. Many make a pilgrimage or hajj to Mecca. Both Jews and Muslims may dress conservatively and both believe in the Old Testament, though the Jewish holy book is the Torah, while the Muslim one is the Quran. Jews fast one day a year during Yom Kippur, though some very religious Jews may fast more often. Many Jews also keep kosher.