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What are Reform Judaism's ritual requirements for conversion?

From Rabbi Jeffrey Wolfson Goldwasser, for About.com

Rabbi Goldwasser

Rabbi Jeffrey Wolfson Goldwasser

Question: What are Reform Judaism's ritual requirements for conversion?

Answer: The Reform movement does not actually require anything for a convert. Reform rabbis, distinct from their colleagues in Conservative and Orthodox Judaism, are not under any kind of discipline for their choices in interpreting Jewish tradition. While the Reform Movement as a whole does occasionally adopt non-binding resolutions recommending particular practices, requirements for life-cycle rituals are determined by individual Reform rabbis, not by the movement.

However, the overwhelming majority of Reform rabbis today do require ritual circumcision (or hatafat dam brit) and immersion in a mikveh. Few rabbis "question" those requirements, except to say that some will find some minor exceptions (for example, a male convert whose health might be compromised by circumcision).

I believe that Reform Judaism and its practices are often misrepresented, especially when they are compared to the practices of Conservative and Orthodox Judaism. Reform emphasizes the obligation of the individual to make informed Jewish choices about their practice. This makes it difficult to "pin down" normative Reform practice for the point of comparison to other movements, but it does not mean that Reform questions everything to the point that there are no standards at all.

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