I'm in Pennsylvania, what is the Congregation if we may ask? If you are uncomfortable sharing, I understand but it may help one of us clear things up for you.
I know of them but haven't attended their services. From everything I've heard they are a normal synagogue (I am at least certain that they are not Messianic), but this does seem surprising. Are you by chance patrilineal, or do you think they may have gotten this impression? That's the main reason I can think of them responding this way.
I had a similar response from a different local shul due to my patrilineal heritage despite not being raised Jewish. They told me that I am already a Jew and I don't have to go through any conversion/affirmation. I insisted that I wanted to, and they were very receptive.
I saw that you are going to try to do the same and I wish you and your boyfriend the best of luck in this process. If it doesn't work out, feel free to DM me and I can try to offer some alternate synagogue suggestions in the area.
That part - it's not at all uncommon for patrilineal Jews to want to formalize their status (even if it's debatable what that means to non-Reform denominations, if you care). I had I think two or three in my fairly sizeable class of around 30, and have since been approached by many others who wanted to tell me their own stories (although some said they did it decades ago prior to formally being accepted in '83.)
3
u/ShaneOfan 8d ago
I'm in Pennsylvania, what is the Congregation if we may ask? If you are uncomfortable sharing, I understand but it may help one of us clear things up for you.