Rabbis Oppose Use Of Internet For Conversion Classes

Rabbis want potential converts to have more face time with Orthodox rabbis and communities, less – or, better yet, no – online study.

'Low level' virtual converts
MATTHEW WAGNER, Jerusalem Post

Rabbinic Conversion Court judges are more likely to reject prospective converts who were partially trained via the Internet, a senior source in the Conversion Authority said Sunday.

According to the source, about 70% of prospective converts who are interviewed by the conversion court are accepted. However, among prospective converts who were trained in part via the Internet, only about half are accepted, said the source.

An interview by a panel of three rabbinical judges is the final stage of the conversion process before the convert is circumcised, immersed in a ritual bath and accepted as a full member of the Jewish people.

In preparation for their meeting with the judges, prospective converts must gain extensive theoretical and practical knowledge about Orthodox Judaism through book learning and participation.

Use of the Internet has been found to be beneficial for some prospective converts, said Prof. Binyamin Ish-Shalom, chairman of the Joint Institute for Jewish Studies, the largest institute for the training of converts.

"We use it primarily with university students who have good learning skills and can make better headway studying independently," said Ish-Shalom.

"Young, bright people do not need to spend as much time in the classroom. So there is no reason for them to be physically present throughout all of the learning process," added Ish-Shalom, who said the Internet was not a substitute for in-person meetings with educators but was used as a supplement.

"Internet is a tool that helps us logistically and educationally," said Ish-Shalom.

However, rabbinical judges strongly oppose the use of Internet training for converts.

"Conversion is not just about collecting a bunch of information," said a conversion court source. "It is about forming significant relationships with rabbis, educators, religious families and members of Orthodox communities.

"What they are doing is virtual conversion," he said.

According to the conversion court source, since the introduction of the Internet, the average time devoted to classroom training has fallen from about 350 hours to 250 hours.

"We can tell the difference between people who learned via the Internet and those who participated in classes. They are on a much lower level," said the source, who said that Internet has been used to help train converts for the past two years.

The use of the Internet is one example of tension between the joint institute - whose teachers include members of the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative streams of Judaism - and the Orthodox conversion courts that set the acceptance standards.

The issue of conversions comes to the forefront ahead of Shavuot, which is celebrated with the reading of the biblical story of Ruth, the archetypical convert to Judaism.

At least two conferences are scheduled on the issue during the next two weeks. On Tuesday, the Jewish Agency's Aliya and Integration department is holding a special day of discussions on conversions for its workers. Next week, on May 26, Sha'arei Mishpat College will hold a conference in Efrat, open to the public, entitled "Conversion: A National Endeavor, Past, Present and Future."

I would imagine the "lower level" seen in those potential converts who use the Internet for part of their pre-conversion education is often a lower level of blind adherence to certain dogma.

People learning online tend to Google issues and terms to find additional information. That additional information gives people additional perspectives on issues. 

That means Orthodox views not currently in vogue among certain rabbis become part of the discussion.

And that means rabbis no longer completely control potential converts.

[Hat Tip: Joel Katz.]

Comments

[Just a Goy]

These rabbis and others who oppose study via the web, in conjunction with face time, are likely non-web users; not understanding how valuable and powerful the web can be. Questions, research can be had / answered through the myriad of theological opinions and voices via the net.

I do not seek the shortcut, only answers / knowledge / enlightenment / understanding / empowerment / truth...

The web has made my journey a more interesting one... seeking answers I (may) dare not ask my rabbi out of fear of retribution, just because I'm deeply curious.

[yankele]

Sorry for being so cynical, but I think you are missing the big picture.

Conversion is big business.

Every major city in America has an "introduction to Judaism" program. In Los Angeles, the program run out of the University of Judaism is required of those who want to convert through the Conservative movement. HUC has a similar program too. The percentage of people who take these classes and later become big-time donors to their local shul/synagogue/temple, organization, is huge. Many of those who take these classes become "chasidim/followers" of the rabbis who taught their class. It should therefore come as no surprise that you'll often find senior rabbis teaching these classes. No branch of Judaism would give up such a strong revenue stream.

Now, while this is taking place in Israel, I say follow the money trail. Someone's not being paid. And that's why they are against it. If it was just about a bunch of poor Russians, no one would mind. But as the Professor in the article says, it is university students with greater earning potentials that are at stake.

[Shmarya]

The web has made my journey a more interesting one... seeking answers I (may) dare not ask my rabbi out of fear of retribution, just because I'm deeply curious.

Exactly the problem from the rabbis' point of view.

[Shmarya]

Many of those who take these classes become "chasidim/followers" of the rabbis who taught their class. It should therefore come as no surprise that you'll often find senior rabbis teaching these classes. No branch of Judaism would give up such a strong revenue stream.

Also a part of the problem from the rabbis' point of view.

[Dr. Dave]

Luddites!

[rabbidw]

Did Ruth take a 350 hour conversion class? Who were her teachers? Who perfomed the conversion? Where is her certificate that she went to the Mikva? Without all these things her conversion is invalid and since her conversion is invalid, all her descendants, including a dead (or not so dead) Rabbi named Scheerson are all mamsh goyim.

[pierre]

The large contingent of R. Freundel's (of RCA conversion board fame) chassidim at Kesher are gerim. I know has people 'do the books' before hand, no idea what the rest of his process is.

[Chicago Samson]

True, face to face always provides a better way to teach, but given the complexities of today's life, that may not always be possible. Frankly, the Internet interactivity is much better than passively reading a book by oneself--especially with video conferencing.

So what's the subtext to this latest decree? What is their real motivation?

I think Yankle is right. They fear competition. The Haredi worry that an inquiring candidate might discover a more appealing alternative to Haredism. Some Haredi (such as the producers of the DBS software) ban the Internet altogether.

[Yochanan Lavie]

RDW: Ruth had a high speed internet connection. Her computer was so advanced it had a Moabyte drive.

[Chicago Samson]

Rabbi Scheerson claimed to be of Davidic ancestry, but has any one ever seen proof for this splendid piece of folklore?

[Chicago Samson]

Revenue stream? Yes, with the Haredi, money is the golden rule for assisting converts; in all my years as a rav, I have never taken monies for my classes; Judaism is not something a person can purchase.

Mah Ani lachinum, af atem lachinum.

[yankele]

Chicago,

The argument that Schneerson was of davidic lineage is a byproduct of the claim that the Maharal of Prague was a descendent of King David. If you googled "schneerson maharal" you will find some guy named heyman traces his lineage to the maharal. You'll also see that he lists the ba'al hatanyah amongst his distant cousins.

However MM Schneerson was not a "ben achar ben" of the ba'al hatanyah. So while he is of davidic lineage, its not ben achar ben ... whatever that means.

Note: there is also a Rosenberg amongst the Maharal's descendents. Perhaps Shmaryah and Schneerson are distant relatives (kind of like Barack Obama and Dick Cheney).

[rabbidw]

Samson, the question is not the fee for the conversion, it is establishing a relationship that can lead to large contributions in the future.

[Amanda]

Why does this not surprise me. If it hadn't been for the internet, I wouldn't have been able to get hold of the information I needed to study for my conversion back in 99/2000. I hope that, if there are any blind converts going through their program, they plan on providing materials in Braille, but I seriously doubt it. And people wonder why I don't in the end convert Orthodox, despite holding most of ttheir beliefs?

[yankele]

See I told you. It's always about money.

http://www.thejewishweek.com/israel/c40/News/Israel.html

[Just a Goy]

Yankele,

Thanks for the heads-up; enlightening article, as well as your aforementioned post.