For Love Of Judaism

Families share their unique stories about conversion.

a love of religion. While there is no
question a conversion spurred by an
impending marriage can bring about
ive years ago, Pam and
the same love and connection to
Ray Herdman were devout
Judaism, those whose choice comes
Christians, living in the state
from within follow a bit of a different
of Wyoming, ready to start a family.
path.
Today, using their newly
Of the 7-10 possible
chosen Hebrew names
conversion candidates he
of Batya and Netanel,
sees each year, "most are
the couple and their
not doing it for marriage,"
children — Calev, 4, and
said Rabbi Daniel Nevins
Chana, 2 — are Orthodox
of Adat Shalom Synagogue
Jews, making a home
in Farmington Hills. "More
in Southfield where she
than any other ritual in the
works at Yeshivat Akiva
Jewish community, conver-
and they are members of
sion is driven by an intro-
the nearby Young Israel.
spective journey."
The Herdmans are
Rabbi Celso Cukierkorn
among the 10,000 indi-
has converted hundreds
viduals who, according
of people. In addition to
Rabbi Daniel Nevins
to Aish.com , convert to
those he meets within his
Judaism worldwide each
Hattiesburg, Miss., syna-
year. But unlike the many who become
gogue, he oversees the same study
Jewish for the love of a spouse, their
process for those who complete his
reason for conversion was based on
online course at ConvertingToJudaism.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

Staff Writer

F

corn
The road to conversion is similar
"The majority of those who contact
among the denominations of Judaism,
me are not converting because they
with each tailoring the process to its
are getting married," he said. They
own stream. Basically, all include a
are people who have a true love of
variation of steps, including meetings
Judaism or have fallen in love with the
with rabbis, studying Jewish history
culture.
and the beliefs, laws, customs, rituals
"In Tennessee,
and prayer related to
I converted a
the stream's philoso-
whole congrega-
p hy.
tion in a traditional
The process also
synagogue. And
includes participation
whenever there is
in Jewish communal
a Holocaust movie
and home life, immer-
out, I get calls from
sion in the mikvah,
people who say they
male circumcision
identify because
(actual or symbolic),
they've been a vic-
choosing a Hebrew
tim in some way.
name, appearing before
I tell them this is
a beit din, making a
a very individual
commitment to being a
Rabbi Celso Cukierkorn
choice and that
member of the Jewish
this may not be for
people and participat-
them. My job is to help guide them to
ing in a welcoming ceremony.
know if they are good for Judaism and
Here, several people share how and
if Judaism is good for them."
why they converted to Judaism.

The McMillans:

Pursuing A Dream

"I was never baptized so I didn't consider
myself as having a specific religion,"
said Alyssa McMillan, who attended
Christian services growing up. "As a black
American, I don't think Christianity was
my religion. How would I know what my
religion was when we were slaves and we
only took the religion of the slavemaster. I
could be Jewish and not even know."
Her mom added: "I wanted her to
choose what was right for her, and she
embraced Judaism?'
A north Oak Park resident for 24 years,
Camille McMillan was familiar with
many Jewish customs, as was Alyssa, who
attended Berkley schools.
"I have been interested in Judaism for
years and, after having to leave my job
(her work environment exacerbated her
multiple sclerosis), I sought to pursue my
dream?'
The family moved to West Bloomfield
to be near Temple Israel, and Camille
and Alyssa began taking an Introduction
to Judaism class. They also attended a

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December 21 • 2006

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six-week New Beginnings class taught
by Carol Cooper of West Bloomfield, who
converted 20 years ago when she got mar-
ried.
At Temple Israel, "those who come here
on their own are connected with mentors
to celebrate their lifecycle events or study
Jewish ethics:' Cooper said. "They're not
planning a wedding, so there's no new
mother-in-law or whole Jewish family to
help them create Jewish memories. These
often are the people who end up really
embracing Judaism and giving back the
most to the Jewish community."
Camille found answers. "I love the
Jewish concept of healing the world and
look forward to participating in com-
munity service projects," she said. "I love
the personal accountability, being respon-
sible for asking forgiveness from those
you have hurt. If all were accountable for
their own actions, we would have a better
world.
"I love the rabbis and cantors at Temple
And have yet to hear one negative word

from any of them
of race, religion or
anything else, which
is how I want to live
my life."
Alyssa added,
"People ask me all
the time, am I doing
this because my boy-
friend is Jewish? Am
I getting married?
Am I an Ethiopian
Jew? I am doing
this for myself and
nobody else. I want
to raise my kids
Jewish, with rituals
that they can pass on
Camille McMillan and her daughter Alyssa, 21,
for generation after
converted this October.
generation."
Now a member
of Temple Israel, Camille said, "I try to
gogue. She said her husband, who did not
attend services regularly, and my Temple
convert, "comes home Friday nights for
family has embraced me openly" She also
Shabbat dinner. He supports me and is
attends an MS support group at the syna-
considering converting," she said. El

