How much does a Jewish conversion cost?

Question

I want to convert to Judaism, but I've heard it can be expensive. I want a good one (Orthodox), but I don't want to break the bank. About how much does it actually cost?

Answer 1

For my Reform conversion, I had to pay for a few classes (about $200) and I bought many books because I couldn't learn fast enough!

However, membership fee in a Reform synagogue is very expensive.  There is no need to become a member, but if you want a Jewish education for your children, you will want to join.

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Answer 2

It all depends on your definition of expensive.  In my (Reform) synagogue, it simply meant that I had to pay full membership fees of about £200 per annum.  Then there were all the books - oh, and more books - oh yes, and the shelves to put them on......!  Then there was a payment to the Beth Din (which included mikvah) and the cost of the train fare to London to attend - so that was about another £150.

By the way, when you talk about a 'good' conversion, you are being very insulting to the other groupings within Judaism.  They, too, offer 'good' conversions.  I can understand that you may want an Orthodox conversion because it's the only one acceptable to all groups, but please don't demean the other approaches.

Answer 3

major troll alert

his most recent q now tells us he doesn't want his child to play with a new Jewish neighbor boy.

http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/questi...

Other q's show obsession with Judaism but antisemitic digs are put in ..here are just a FEW of the q's about Judaism I see on his profile

Why do Jews reject half-Jews with Jewish fathers?

I don't understand why Jewish people consider half Jews with Jewish dads as gentiles. They have Jewish last names, and they look Jewish. I'm considering converting to Judaism, but I'm concerned. If so many Jews are so obsessed with racial purity that they reject half-Jews, I won't fare so well. I don't have any Jewish blood.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...  < read my answer to this one here.

Can I convert to Judaism even though I'm g*y.?

How do I become a rabbi?

Will I increase my chances of disease by converting to Judaism.?

Answer 4

You didn't hear it was expensive.  You've never even been to a synogague.  Try going to one & finding out your slew of anti-semitic questions is really silly.

At no point would costs deter a convert.  There's always the Rabbi's fund (donations for good deeds) to help those who can't otherwise afford.

Answer 5

I suspect it doesn't cost anything...

I don't really know though.

Answer 6

I agree with my colleagues.  I can't imagine that it would cost more than a few hundred dollars, all told.

Answer 7

Please explain what you mean by "I want a good one (orthodox)".

As to the answer, it depends on many things:

1-are you a member of a synagogue?

2-how much knowledge of the intricacies of Judaism do you have?

3-do you have 1-5 years (depending on movement) to study?

4-are you over 21?

5-are you single or married?

6-are you willing to learn Hebrew, both Biblical and Modern?

I can go on but I think you get the idea.

I suggest you contact a rabbi in real life to discuss this.

Answer 8

From what I understand the only thing you have to pay for are the books :)

Good Luck on your Path!

Answer 9

$9.95. I don't know phone a Temple. I think its more work than expense.  

Answer 10

I'm going to echo AMBIVALENT BITTERN and go even further:

Given that YOU are not Jewish, it's absurd for YOU to state you want a 'good' conversion when you mean Orthodox and are thereby implying other groups are 'bad'.

So consider this a lesson on Judaism: all Jews, no matter how devout or how secular, are EQUALLY JEWISH.

Perhaps, before you start worrying about the cost of conversion, you'd do better to find out about Judaism. Clearly, you have not really done so, or you never would have made such a foolish comment.

Answer 11

A rabbi is entitled to charge for his time in the preparation and teaching of conversion courses so $30 per course may not be so ridiculous depending on the situation.

The use of a mikva can also be subject to a fee as any public facility, such as a pool and the like, in order to help with maintenance costs.

Additionally,there may be legitimate costs for people's time throughout this process (the mikva attendant, secretary of the Beit Din, etc).

So, you have Rabbi's class costs, mikvah charges (ours costs $12 per visit) and the only other fee I can think of would be the annual cost of joining the synagogue.  Our annual fee for an entire family is $900.  We don't pay for High Holidays, etc.  There are many classes available that are free.

Anyway, whoever informed you it was expensive is inaccurate.

Answer 12

Orthodox conversion can be very expensive and take a lot of time and dedication, you may even be rejected, you are supposed to be rejected 3 times. You will need Torah and Hebrew classes. You will need a Rabbi to sponsor you and you will be under supervision for the few years after conversion, a probationary time. Consider a reform or progressive congregation, they are more accessible to converts and the fees and requirements are more relaxed, you will get to live a Jewish lifestyle to find out if the Orthodoxy is for you. Consider learning Hebrew before hand at a community college, or trogh Rosetta stone