I’m a big fan of Chabad’s Question of the Week.
Last week’s was: Why not make it easier to convert?
Question:
I often hear rabbis complain that the Jewish people are shrinking due to intermarriage and assimilation. But it is you rabbis who are the major obstacle to Judaism growing! If you would make conversion a bit easier, many more non-Jews would join us. Why do you stubbornly insist on a long and difficult conversion process, when you are closing the door to many potential converts?
Answer:
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 
Can someone tell me what is “pure, unadulterated Judaism” as termed by the writer Aron Moss?
thanks,
Joel
Editor, < HREF="http://religionandstateinisrael.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Religion and State in Israel<>
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In other words, their brand of Judaism.
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wow — they actually said the making conversion easier would “dilute” the jewish truth. to me they are saying letting others in “dilutes the jewish race” and that needs to be countered! I understand they are talking about their brand of judaism, but so long as any jew, particularly jews in authority positions, starts talking about “diluting” I think we need to stand up and take notice. that is indeed VERY scary.
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I disagree, Sonia. They are worried about perverting Judaism by letting people in who don’t understand it, aren’t knowledgeable about it, don’t care about it. They don’t want to lower the bar to let these kinds of people in. I don’t think it means that conversion period dilutes some kind of Jewish race.
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“They are foolish.” The door to Klal Yisrael should be as open as possible.
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You are right Aliza but deep down and I have heard it from many Jews they feel that converts will take over their religion. I would ask, take over what? and I would get no response. They fought for years to become this white race by marrying europeans since they were originally semetic dark skin people. Now new people from different races want to join the club and they’re afraid that things will change. Will they let a black Jew marry their most beutiful Jewish princess? I do not think so. Most Jews of color nowdays are facing a lot of problems finding a shidduch and you must know why. They are xenophobic big time. When it comes to Rabbis, I think they do whatever they want because they are in position of power. They forget there’s Hashem in the world, the one who controls everything. Same thing happens to politicians, they can be criminals if they want to. Power is corrupt but it’s also like the fruit adam and eve ate at the garden of eden, tempting and delicious. Overall, I think they should be more open and make the process easier by teaching them the basic halach to live a Jewish life and observe the holidays. Isnt conversion the beginning of your Jewish life?
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The funny thing is that they already don’t adhere to their own standards. The standards are there. When they don’t want someone, they look and find something in the standards to turn them down.
When they want someone who is not qualified, they just overlook the rules. It’s not a race thing. I’m white and the rabbis tried to find an excuse with me.
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You’re right to some extent. If they dont like you for some reason, they reject you. Who do they think they are? Gods?? You are the one who will live your life as a Jew and not them. When it comes to race, they treat people of color differently believe me. A white person can pass, but a jew of color is always questioned, that’s a fact. I am not saying that they dont give white people a hard time, but most of them are racist, and that’s the honest truth.
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Thankfully, my experience has been much better. Hopefully, by writing and talking out these issues, we will make a difference.
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