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Your People, My People: Finding Acceptance and Fulfillment As a Jew by Choice
Book by Romanoff, Lena
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 26, 2016
"You're becoming a Jew? When are you getting married?"
"I'm already married."
"Oh, so your partner is Jewish?"
"No, I'm just converting out of conviction."
(awkward silence)
I can't tell you how many times I've had a variation of this conversation over the last few months, both with Jews and gentiles. I'm the oddest of birds in the wider sense, but my conversion story isn't that unique among Jewry--and Lena Romanoff does a fantastic job in detailing that experience.
Even though it was written more than 25 years ago, this book is still extremely relevant. More than any other book I've read about conversion, Your People, My People has articulated some of the fears and apprehensions I have about converting. Can I really change my thinking to a Jewish frame of mind? How do I light Shabbat candles and how do I hold a Seder? Will I ever feel Jewish enough or accepted by the wider Jewish community? It's comforting that other people have gone through the same things that I have.
She includes lists of questions to ask the rabbi leading your conversion, a glossary, and special chapters for the unusual challenges both gay and black converts face. Some of the material is a little dated, but the message is the same. I was so glad to stumble across this book at my local library and heartily recommend it to any prospective converts.
"I'm already married."
"Oh, so your partner is Jewish?"
"No, I'm just converting out of conviction."
(awkward silence)
I can't tell you how many times I've had a variation of this conversation over the last few months, both with Jews and gentiles. I'm the oddest of birds in the wider sense, but my conversion story isn't that unique among Jewry--and Lena Romanoff does a fantastic job in detailing that experience.
Even though it was written more than 25 years ago, this book is still extremely relevant. More than any other book I've read about conversion, Your People, My People has articulated some of the fears and apprehensions I have about converting. Can I really change my thinking to a Jewish frame of mind? How do I light Shabbat candles and how do I hold a Seder? Will I ever feel Jewish enough or accepted by the wider Jewish community? It's comforting that other people have gone through the same things that I have.
She includes lists of questions to ask the rabbi leading your conversion, a glossary, and special chapters for the unusual challenges both gay and black converts face. Some of the material is a little dated, but the message is the same. I was so glad to stumble across this book at my local library and heartily recommend it to any prospective converts.
July 22, 2021
I found it really really dated, especially on the LGBT+ section. It's completely for non-single people and people converting because of marriage. There's a chapter for singles but a lot of it was "how to not be single" or "so you're single again." It also anticipates that your friends/family will have a problem and writes a lot about that drama.
March 19, 2024
A great book for information on converting and the context of understanding born Jews, conversion, and commentary on a myriad of common questions for the converting person. It is a bit dated but still provides great information.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews