This book is a practical and inspirational companion to the conversion process for Jews-by-Choice and their families. Written primarily for the person considering the choice of Judaism, it provides highly personal insights from over 50 people who have made this life-changing decision. But it also will speak to their families―the non-Jewish family that provided his or her spiritual beginnings and the Jewish "family" which receives the convert―and help them understand why the decision was made. Through listening to people's stories of why and how they converted to Judaism, Rabbi Berkowitz and religious educator Moskowitz gained new insights into the power of Jewish spirituality. The voices here explore the deep appeal of the Jewish faith, the converts' journeys into Jewish traditions, and the ways Judaism has changed their lives and the lives of those around them. While these stories recount the universal struggle to find an authentic spirituality, they will be most appropriate for libraries with large Judaic collections. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. This beautifully and sensitively written book will be a warm welcoming friend to anyone contemplating conversion. Judaism is not a religion associated with seeking converts. Yet 1 out of every 35 Jews has converted to Judaism from another faith. These personal stories of more than 50 converts describe both the difficulties and the joys of conversion. There is the young man who was attracted by Judaism's emphasis on action rather than faith or dogma; there is the daughter of a mixed marriage who chooses her father's faith even though he does not practice it; there is even the Jew-by-choice who has felt excluded by the Jewish community yet still perseveres in her chosen religion. These short, affecting profiles are bolstered by practical advice for those considering conversion. Both those who have already converted as well as those contemplating the decision will find valuable guidance here. Ilene Cooper "Passionate, thoughtful and deeply-felt personal stories....A wonderful resource, sure to light the way for many who choose to follow the same path." ― Dru Greenwood, MSW , Director, UAHC-CCAR Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach This beautifully and sensitively written book will be a warm welcoming friend to anyone contemplating conversion. Lena Romanoff, Director, Jewish Converts & Interfaith Network "This beautifully and sensitively written book will be a warm welcoming friend to anyone contemplating conversion."-Lena Romanoff, Director, Jewish Converts & Interfaith Network Rabbi Allan L. Berkowitz was a congregational rabbi for fourteen years and now works as an educator and executive director in the nonprofit sector. He was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He also received an M.A. from Columbia University/Teacher's College and a B.A. from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. His interest in social action led to his founding San Jose’s Tikkun Bayit, the "Community Peace Corps," which links volunteers with projects in ethnically diverse neighborhoods. He and his wife, Mindy, live in San Jose with their four children. Patti Moskovitz has been a Jewish educator for more than 45 years. For almost 20 years, she has been instructing non-Jews planning to convert. An Outreach Fellow for the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, she organizes and leads workshops and support groups for interfaith couples. She also lectures in the United States and Canada on a variety of Jewish topics for many Jewish organizations. Moskovitz is also author of T he Complete Bar/Bat Mitzvah Book and Minyan: A Tapestry of Jewish Life. She and her husband, Larry, reside in Foster City, California. They have three married children and three grandchildren.