Posted by:
Tevai
(
)
Date: July 09, 2020 07:22AM
iceman9090 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> +Tevai:
> “I am a convert to Judaism. My Jewish name is
> Devorah bat Avram”
>
> ==Hello Tevai or Devorah,
> Can you read and write Hebrew?
> If yes, can I ask you some questions?
> If no, then do you know someone who does?
>
> ~~~~iceman9090
I converted through the Miller Introduction to Judaism program at the University of Judaism (which is now called American Jewish University; the Jewish movement/"denomination" is Conservative), on Mulholland Drive in Bel Air (near the Getty Museum in Los Angeles). The program still very much exists, but today it is structured differently than it was when I converted.
My sense is that it is a universal requirement that potential converts to Judaism must learn how to "read" the Hebrew language (even if they don't know the meaning of what they are reading). There are special primers, made specifically for beginning students who are adults, and those primers are very well designed to take just about anyone from zero knowledge of Hebrew to at least out-loud reading fluency in about three months of weekly study.
Which means: I can "read" Hebrew out loud (especially if it is voweled--"adult" level, or Israeli, Hebrew usually is NOT voweled), and I understand the words I know, but my actual ability to speak/understand most everyday Hebrew is limited. (This is, in fact, my coronavirus project: Raise my level of Hebrew comprehension to that of a ten-year-old who is reading a Hebrew language book written to that, ten-year-old, level of literacy.) I can also (with a bit of review, sometimes! ;) ) write Hebrew, either in cursive ("handwriting"-style), or in Hebrew "block" letters (what you would see on signs, etc.).
Which means: I don't know if my [at this moment], limited Hebrew skills are up to answering the questions you would like answered.
However: if you find your nearest synagogue/"shul" (the familiar term used by Jews) and go talk to the rabbi there, s/he will be able to read your Hebrew and answer your questions. I suggest that you seek out a Reform or Conservative or Jewish Secular Humanist, or Modern Orthodox congregation (you may, or may not, run into some practical problems with at least some of the other Orthodox congregations), you will likely be very happy with the results.
Another place to find help would be a college or university local to you who has a Hillel group--which functions as a Jewish "home when you're away from home" for Jewish students. You can phone any college or university and ask if they have a Hillel group, and if so, the phone number and the on-campus address. Among the Jewish members of any Hillel group will be some who want to eventually work as part of the rabbinate, or in Jewish organizational leadership--and these individuals will be particularly happy to talk to you because it will be a way to practice for what they envision their professional future will include.
I don't know what security issues may exist right now where you live (for obvious reasons, security has been heightened since the most recent synagogue shootings), or what new Covid-19 restrictions may be in place. If you phone the rabbi first and ask if you can come over, you will find that most rabbis are very friendly and welcoming and have regular office hours (during the week; not on Shabbat or any Jewish holidays) where they can talk to members of the larger community who want to talk with them. Be aware that Friday sundown (there is an exact, to the minute, clock time for each place on the planet; Google "when does Shabbat begin in [Utah]?" for the exact times), through Saturday sundown, is Shabbat, so this particular time per week is not appropriate for any rabbi's "office hours."
If what you want to understand is beyond that rabbi's personal linguistic ability, they will know exactly who to send you to. This is just normal life within Judaism.
The most likely scenario is that you ask your questions, and you will get immediate answers in a warmly welcoming environment.
Does this help?
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2020 08:23AM by Tevai.