Editing Conversion to Judaism (section)

==Reform Jewish views==
In the United States, [[Reform Judaism]] rejects the concept that any rules or rituals should be considered necessary for conversion to Judaism. In the late 19th century, the [[Central Conference of American Rabbis]], the official body of American Reform rabbis, formally resolved to permit the admission of converts "without any initiatory rite, ceremony, or observance whatsoever." (CCAR Yearbook 3 (1893), 73–95; ''American Reform Responsa'' (ARR), no. 68, at 236–237.)

Although this resolution has often been examined critically by many Reform rabbis, the resolution still remains the official policy of American Reform Judaism (CCAR Responsa "Circumcision for an Eight-Year-Old Convert" 5756.13 and [[Solomon Freehof]], ''Reform Responsa for Our Time'', no. 15.) Thus, American Reform Judaism does not require ritual immersion in a ''mikveh'', circumcision, or acceptance of mitzvot as normative. Appearance before a [[Beth Din]] is recommended, but is not considered necessary. Converts are asked to commit to religious standards set by the local Reform community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reformjudaism.org/choosing-judaism-0 |title=Choosing Judaism |website=Reform Judaism |access-date=2015-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417090208/http://www.reformjudaism.org/choosing-judaism-0 |archive-date=2015-04-17 |url-status=deviated}}</ref>

In actual practice, the requirements for conversion of any individual are determined by the Rabbi who sponsors the convert. Typically, Reform Rabbis require prospective converts to take a course of study in Judaism, such as an "Introduction to Judaism" course, to participate in worship at a synagogue, and to live as a Jew (however that is interpreted by the individual Rabbi) for a period of time. A period of one year is common, although individual Rabbis' requirements vary. When the sponsoring Rabbi feels that the candidate is ready, a Beth Din may be convened. Other rituals such as immersion in a mikvah, circumcision (or [[Hatafat dam brit]]), and a public ceremony to celebrate the conversion, are also at the discretion of the Rabbi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reformjudaism.org/choosing-judaism-0|title=Choosing Judaism|website=Reform Judaism|date=13 September 2023 }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2025}}<ref>{{cite news|last1=Sanghani|first1=Radhika|title=Zooey Deschanel is Jewish. These three women changed their religions for love too|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11986331/Zooey-Deschanel-Female-religious-converts-who-changed-faith-for-love.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11986331/Zooey-Deschanel-Female-religious-converts-who-changed-faith-for-love.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=10 November 2015|quote=Julie Grey, Zara Gluch and Hannah Martin all converted religions after falling in love}}{{cbignore}}</ref>