Question: How can a convert observe the Jewish Sabbath and maintain a career in theater?
Dear Rabbi,
I have been seriously considering converting to Judaism for many years, but I've run into a bit of a problem. I'm an actress with an additional full-time job. Most plays are performed on the weekends. Shabbat is very important to me, but so is theatre (though not as important, obvioulsy). I'm not sure how to reconcile the two things: I don't know of any director who would cast me in a play if I refused to perform on Fridays, but I also don't know of any rabbi who would sponsor my conversion if I were to perform on Fridays, even if I were performing without being paid. Please advise me.
Rachel
Answer: Dear Rachel,
Thank you for your letter. You write that you are interested in conversion to Judaism, but you know that it would create an occupational conflict for you. Since you work in theater, you have to work on Friday nights and on Saturday afternoons, and that conflicts with observance of Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath.
I understand that I am the first rabbi you've contacted about this, and that is a great first step. However, you're still at the beginning of a journey. It is too early now for you to have an answer to your question about Shabbat observance. You can't know all the answers at the beginning of the journey -- otherwise, you wouldn't need to go on the journey.
I can tell you that there may be more options than you imagine. If you pursue conversion and explore the meaning of Shabbat for yourself, you will come to new understandings about the place of Judaism in your life and the way you understand your own priorities in life and identity. It is an experience you have to go through for yourself; no one can predict for you what choices you will end up making.
Reform Judaism is, more than anything else, about Jews making choices for themselves. If you decide to pursue conversion through a Reform rabbi and congregation, you will be asked to make many choices for yourself about how Jewish tradition informs your life. You'll have to ask yourself questions about what makes Judaism meaningful to you and how you can best bring that meaning to your life in the context of living in our modern world.
It sounds like you've already begun to ask yourself some tough questions. That's good. Your choice about Shabbat will be only one of many choices along your journey toward conversion, if you pursue it.
Your next step should be to find a rabbi in your area with whom you feel comfortable and a Jewish community that can be your spiritual home. Be willing to get to know a few before making a choice. Ideally, you will find a situation that makes you feel you can pursue conversion in a way that is authentic to you.
With best wishes,
Rabbi Jeffrey W. Goldwasser
