שוב מעשה בגוי אחד שבא לפני שמאי אמר לו גיירני על מנת שתלמדני כל התורה כולה כשאני עומד על רגל אחת דחפו באמת הבנין שבידו בא לפני הלל גייריה אמר לו דעלך סני לחברך לא תעביד זו היא כל התורה כולה ואידך פירושה הוא זיל גמור (תלמוד בבלי שבת לא)

 

It happened that a non-Jew came before Hillel and said to him, "I will convert to Judaism, on the condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.  Hillel said to him, "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor - that is the whole Torah.  The rest is commentary: Go and learn!"  (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

 

What is a Jew-by-Choice?  In many ways, even if we are born Jewish, we "choose" if we are going to live Jewishly and follow our traditions.  

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While never actively proselytizing (looking to convert people), we warmly and openly welcome those who come seeking the shelter of the God of Israel and the Covenant of Abraham.  

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We are affiliated with The Miller Introduction to Judaism course of the American Jewish University.   This 18-part program has been developed over 30 years to give a solid foundation of Jewish history, tradition, theology, and practice.  While participation in the course does not require a commitment towards conversion, it is geared towards those who feel they may have a "Jewish soul" and wish to actively and passionately pursue a direct relationship with God and the Jewish people.