Proactive conversion
Proactive conversion is a term used to refer to measures by various promoters of Judaism to provide outreach to non-Jews. It is distinguished from proselytizing, or active attempts of persuasion and solicitation toward conversion, but it is distinguished from the traditional rabbinical policies regarding prospective proselytes (i.e., rejection of inquirees' requests three times before acceptance) in that programs for conversion are opened to first-time inquirees.
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Ancient Judaic proselytization
According to
Modern era
The term was popularized by
One of the first individuals to openly advocate for proactive conversion, however, was
A similar program operated by Conservative Jews, the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program, has been operated in 1986 at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles.[3] In 1997, Conservative rabbi Harold Schulweis created a Keruv ('outreach') Center in Encino, California; "Turning potential converts away by telling them the Noahide Laws are good enough for them, whereas Judaism's treasures are to be saved for an elite few, is, Schulweis argues, promulgating a particularist notion of Judaism that is profoundly un-Jewish."[3]
Criticism
Jewish organizations have had mixed responses to the idea of proactive conversion. Traditionally, unofficial policy has focused on providing services and transmitting religious identity to other Jews, not seeking converts. Ephraim Buchwald argues that the focus should be on revitalizing Jewish spirituality in Jewish youth, rather than trying to gain converts. He likens it to throwing a lifeboat to those floating on the water (prospective converts) while disengaged Jewish youth, are drowning.[4]
Bibliography
- ISBN 0787908819) Jossey-Bass. 1999.
References
- ^ "Was Judaism ever a proselytizing religion?". Mi Yodeya. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ J. Greenberg, Eric (May 21, 1999). "The Debate On 'Proactive Conversion'". The Jewish Week. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Sue Fishkoff (July–August 2002). "The More Jews the Better?". Moment Magazine via Beliefnet.
- ^ Buchwald, Ephraim (1999). "Conversion and the American Jewish agenda". Judaism. 48 (3): 274.