The Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas will once again offer a community-wide course, “Judaism for Conversion Candidates” beginning Aug. 20. The year-long course will be taught on a rotating basis by rabbis from the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements and is intended to acquaint those considering conversion to Judaism with what it means to live Jewishly. Each student will be required to secure a congregational rabbinic sponsor by Feb. 1 and meet the conversion requirements developed by their rabbinic sponsor.
The class provides a comfortable forum for students to learn about Jewish holidays, home celebrations, life-cycle observances, rituals and Jewish prayer, Torah, Judaism’s view of God, Israel and our religion’s movements. Each class will include a 30-minute Hebrew component.
Participants will combine Jewish learning with Jewish “doing” as they become part of a shared community and create Jewish memories by taking part in a Shabbat and Havdalah experience. They will also participate in holiday celebrations and observances at Sukkot, Chanukah and Passover. This course allows future Jews by choice the opportunity to meet one another and to learn not only about Judaism but also about the Kansas City Jewish community.
Classes will take place virtually on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. and some sessions may rotate among the synagogues later in the year. An orientation session is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13.
Visit kcrabbi.org for more information. To register, contact Annette Fish, Rabbinical Association administrator/program director, by email at or 913-327-4622.
Funding for this program is generously provided by the Menorah Heritage Foundation.