Choosing Jewish: Conversations about Conversion


 

Publication Date: April 2006

Publisher: American Jewish Committee

Author(s): Sylvia Barack Fishman

Research Area: Culture and religion; Social conditions

Keywords: American Jews; Family; Jewish identification

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Choosing Jewish analyzes the process through which interfaith couples decide whether a non-Jewish partner or spouse will convert into Judaism and explores the impact of the pro and anti-conversion decision on the ethno religious character of their families. The report focuses on the creation of Jewish families rather than on individual spiritual journeys. The research is based on in-depth interviews but data from NJPS 1990 and 2000-01 are presented to provide a statistical context for the phenomena described in the interviews.