The Keys
To Cruising

"Just the facts, ma'am," Sgt. Joe
Friday used to say on "Dragnet," the
vintage television drama. The same
slogan might characterize the
Conversion to Judaism home page —
a no-frills site created to get a lot of
information across as efficiently as
possible.
The Conversion site, a service of
the New York-based Conversion to
Judaism Resource Center, is essen-
tially an online book by Dr.
Lawrence Epstein, a professor of
English who has written extensively
on the subject.
So after a brief introduction, visi-
tors are offered a series of links —
each a chapter in this cyber-tome.
The first, not surprisingly, is
"Should I Convert to Judaism," and
it sets the tone for what follows:
straightforward, factual and non-
judgmental.
Mr. Epstein reports about 300
visitors a day — 80,000 in the past
18 months. Most click on multiple
links, suggesting they're giving the
material a serious look, not just info-
grazing.
One of the most popular sections:
a list of almost 200 rabbis from all
movements who can provide infor-
mation and counseling about conver-
sion. Orthodox rabbis seem to draw
the most interest, Mr. Epstein _
reports.
The site eschews the fancy frames
and pretty but slow graphics that
seem the norm these days;
unadorned text, well-organized and
nicely presented, is what you get
here.
The bottom line for Mr. Epstein:
think about your reasons for con-
version, learn as much as you can
and talk to a rabbi. Makes sense,
nu?
—James D. Besser

reeAfir ST AR
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Want to know what's new in
Reform Judaism? Check out a new
corner of the Union of American
Hebrew Congregations Web site for
the latest info, and you can sign up to
get e-mail notices when there's new
material, as well.
James D. Besser

1999 C230

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Detroit Jewish News

2/12
1999

95