SYDNEY ACADEMY of JEWISH EDUCATION
To be a Jew means to belong to a faith people.
Conversion to Judaism therefore is not just a matter of accepting faith or a belief in God, it means also joining the Jewish people and accepting as well as observing Torah and Mitzvot. As such, it is important to understand and know our history and heritage, values and ethics, practices and observance.
To help guide your learning, you will participate in our course of learning. It meets once a week and during the course you will learn about Jewish law, philosophy, history and practice.
The course is over four terms and you can join at any point along the way, provided you still complete the 12 month course.
If you have a partner, even if they are Jewish, they will attend the classes with you and you will take this journey together.
You will also be required to learn to read Hebrew. We have classes you may choose to take and we highly recommend them. Hebrew reading is the key to unlocking the prayers and texts of Judaism and as such, is an important part of your learning
SYDNEY ACADEMY of JEWISH EDUCATION
Joining a Community
Conversion to Judaism is a personal journey but it is not undertaken alone. Becoming part of the community and congregation, celebrating and observing the cycle of the Jewish calendar, from weekly observances to festivals, is an important part of conversion.
Feeling the connection to and support of community is central to Jewish practice and we want each of you to feel that special bond. As such, it is imperative that you attend services and become part of Shule life, as well as feeling part of the community. Praying together with a Minyan (Quorum) is also an important part of Jewish observance. There are many wonderful Orthodox Synagogues throughout Sydney and you can choose the one that works for you. It is important to remember that the Synagogue must be in walking distance of your place of residence.
Mentoring Rabbi
In addition to SAJE classes, each person who enters our conversion programme will have a mentoring rabbi which will most often be the Rabbi of the Synagogue you have chosen to attend.
You will meet regularly with that rabbi who will guide you and be a source of information and inspiration for you. It is a more personal way to learn about Judaism and to have the opportunity for further discussion, learning and questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SAJE course is available to our first-year intake at a special rate of $1000, which covers the 12-month program’s classes. Payment options include both upfront and instalment payments.
We aim to maintain the SAJE program as a 12-month duration, though this may be subject to variables like class attendance, synagogue participation, and your level of engagement with Judaism as a whole.
Meeting with the Beth Din is a prerequisite for Orthodox conversion. The Beth Din Rabbis overseeing this process include Rabbi Ulman, Senior Dayan, Rabbi Gutnick, Senior Dayan, and Rabbi Chriqui, Associate Dayan.
We request that participants and, if applicable, their partners attend classes in person weekly, provided they are in Sydney. For individuals who are out of state or country, we permit Zoom participation. In cases of absence, we will provide a link for you to view a recording of the session.
SAJE offers weekly classes, facilitating connections with fellow students on similar conversion journeys. SAJE is committed to providing unwavering support throughout your conversion journey, including accompanying you to meetings and guiding you every step of the way. This personal and community-centered approach differentiates SAJE from the more conventional teacher-led conversion process.
