Online Jewish Learning and Conversion Program
Online Jewish Learning and Converting to Judaism
Enroll in Course
Convert to Judaism Online
Judaism welcomes those wishing to convert and become part of the Jewish community. There’s a great deal of information that’s now available on the Internet, making it a wonderful and convenient way to begin learning.
Conversion to Judaism involves time and effort: study, worship and practice-- ideally in an active Jewish community-- because in its essence, Judaism is a religion of people and community. Conversion can be a challenge for those who do not live near a synagogue. This is why we have made this program available.
Rabbi Marc Rubenstein utilizes all the tools available to make you feel ready to join a Jewish community following your conversion. Through his online course, you can begin to study about Judaism, engage in periodic face-to-face meetings with Rabbi Marc, get answers to your questions, and communicate in many different ways to further your learning.
Because it takes months to learn all that you need to prepare for conversion, you’ll have plenty of time to thoroughly immerse yourself in learning and get all your questions answered. If, after a period of study, you decide that you want to convert, Rabbi Marc will be ready and willing to meet with you, either in person or through video conferencing, to make your conversion a reality.
We live in a digital age, and not everyone has day-to-day access to a Jewish community where they live or work. Converting to any religion is not easy. It takes time and commitment to learning about what it means to be Jewish and live a Jewish lifestyle. This knowledge can be gained through study and worship no matter where you might live. Rabbi Marc Rubenstein has created this online Jewish learning and conversion program to assist individuals who are without a Jewish community.
The Online Course
Study at your own pace from anywhere in the world!
The online course is study at your own pace and all video based learning. Each section contains the basic knowledge one needs in order to pass a final interview process. When you log off the course, and back in again, the course will continue where it left off making it easy for you to proceed with your learning. At the end of each topic, you will be able to download PDF files containing review questions and answers that can be used for your final exam. The online curriculum contains the following topics: Jewish history, What it means to be a Jew, The life cycle of being Jewish (from birth to death), Dietary Laws, Common objects found in a temple and a Jewish home, and the Jewish Holidays. Scheduled phone calls, Skype, or FaceTime meetings are also available to each student depending on the learning package selected.
Certificate of Acceptance into the Jewish Faith
Rabbi Marc Rubenstein proceeds with caution when it comes to converting individuals to Judaism. He is only willing to complete conversions to those who have been studying Judaism consistently, and that show extreme dedication to living a true Jewish lifestyle.
For the students who take the course, and pass the final exam - Rabbi Marc is qualified to provide his students with an official record of Mikveh Immersion and Declaration of Faith that follows the guidelines of Jewish tradition.
Reform vs Conservative
Reform Judaism centers around Judaism coexisting effectively with those who live in modern times in all cultures. Reform Judaism has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation and more liberal philosophies into the religion while preserving tradition.
Reform Judaism embraces diversity and believes that we are all partners in improving the world. Reform Judaism also accepts the core values of Judaism - God, Torah and Israel - even as it acknowledges the diversity of Jewish beliefs and practices. Reform Jews accept the Torah as the foundation of Jewish life and see the Torah as a living document that enables us to confront the challenges of our everyday lives.
Reform Jews are committed to the principle of inclusion and reachimg out to Jews-by-choice and interfaith families. Reform Jews consider children to be Jewish if they are the child of a Jewish father or mother.
Reform Jews are committed to the absolute equality of women and all people in all areas of Jewish life. Reform Judaism was the first movement to ordain women rabbis, invest women cantors, elect women presidents of synagogues, and welcome the full participation of gays and lesbians in synagogue life.
Reform Judaism gives its members autonomy to practice Jewish rituals and holidays as they best fit their place in their community and society.
Conservative Judaism: The terms conservative means that Jews should attempt to conserve Jewish tradition. Conservative Judaism teaches that the Torah and Talmud are of divine origin, and thus mandate following halakhah (Jewish law).
The Conservative movement also recognizes the human element in society and accepts modern scholarship that shows Jewish writings were completed under the influence of other cultures that can help enrich the Jewish community.
Therefore, Conservative Judaism believes in applying modern interpretation to the Torah and Talmud as long as the belief remains centered around the core values of Judaism. These seven core values are:
- The importance of Israel
- Hebrew: as the language of Jewish expression
- Devotion to the ideals of the Jewish community
- The Defining Role of Torah
- The Study of Torah
- The Governance of Jewish Life by Halakha (Jewish law)
- And Belief in God
This doesn’t mean that Conservative Judaism demands all Jews settle in Israel or speak Hebrew. But maintaining the sense of Jewish Community and adhering to its laws as described in the Torah and Talmud is first and foremost the way to live a Jewish life.
Your Instructor
Rabbi Marc Rubenstein is a Hebrew Scholar, and expert on Jewish History. Celebrating 50 years as a Rabbi - He is very passionate about helping people across the world learn about Judaism, and achieve their spiritual goals.
Rabbi Marc studied at the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem. He received his bachelor's degree in Religion
& History Studies from American University in Washington, D.C. He
later went on to receive a masters' degree in Jewish Education from New
York University. Rabbi Marc obtained rabbinical training from the
Academy For Jewish Religion also in NY.
With this online course, you can accelerate your learning process. Whatever your situation may be Rabbi Marc can assist you with a curriculum guided by teachings from both Reform and Conservative Judaism. Rabbi Marc is based out of Southern California however offers Skype, Facetime, and Zoom meetings where he can assist you with your learning.
Rabbi Marc forms lifelong friendships with his students. His unique approach to crafting individualized programs allows students at varying levels achieve their goals.