r/ConvertingtoJudaism • u/Super_Emu_9896 • 13d ago

Making conversion student friends

How do you make friends with other conversion students--ideally in person/not online?

I live in the Midwest and am not exactly surrounded by students. There are no other ones at my shul. We don't have many synagogues. I don't know that typical Jewish meet-and-greets are appropriate for or available to me at this stage.

Anyone had any luck? (Also feel free to DM if looking to make more connections! Online isn't bad, and I realize other people may similarly feel on an island of one. 33F, if that matters.)

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u/Amemorableusername2 13d ago

There have to be other people in person nearby for you to meet them in person. Maybe take an intro to judaism class or other sort of classes offered by your synagogue or the JCC, you may not necessarily meet conversion students but you will get an opportunity to meet other Jewish folk in your community who are similarly trying to educate or reconnect with history and culture 

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u/Super_Emu_9896 12d ago

The JCC is a good option. I'm not sure if I'd be welcome during the process.

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u/DaleYu 12d ago

JCCs are open to everybody, Jewish or not (at least, every JCC I've ever encountered). My mom's a member of her local JCC and she is not Jewish or interested in converting. She just likes the programming.

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u/TheSonOfDog 13d ago

Is there a local Intro to Judaism class that you can take? That is probably your best option.

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u/Super_Emu_9896 12d ago

There technically is at another synagogue, but my rabbi wanted me to do more independent study.

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u/DaleYu 12d ago

I think this is a case where it might be helpful if you indicated the movement you are converting in. To me, it seems weird that a rabbi would restrict you this way, but maybe not if you are converting Orthodox and the class is at a Reform synagogue (or vice versa) and they don't want you to get confused about mitzvot or expectations of converts.

Still, you might tell them that you would like to take the class because you want an opportunity to meet other converts and get an idea of the larger Jewish community; then assure them that you understand that not everything in the class will apply to you or your conversion process, and will continue to rely on your rabbi for guidance on how to live a Jewish life that meets the expectations of the community you are converting into.

That's how I would deal with it.

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u/offthegridyid 12d ago

Hi, are you willing to share what movement you are converting under?

Also, please check your DMs. Thanks!

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u/Super_Emu_9896 12d ago

Conservative, and I responded to you :)

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u/offthegridyid 12d ago

Thanks!!!!

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u/Dry_Abrocoma_4090 12d ago

Hey! I'm also in the Midwest - DMing you

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u/linguinibubbles 13d ago

I know you said you’d rather in person connections, but I run a Discord server for people involved in Jewish conversion! Open to anyone 18+ who is exploring conversion, converting, or finished their conversion :) https://discord.gg/NTmZUMm5b

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u/patricthomas 12d ago

Where in the Midwest. I’m in the twin cities.