Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
West London Synagogue of British Jews

Welcome to West London Synagogue Services: Friday - 6pm (Main), 7.15pm (Shira) & Saturday - 11am 

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Livestream Contact  
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Mission
    • Who We Are
      • Rabbis
      • Staff
      • Board
      • Wardens
    • Music at WLS
    • Social & Cultural
    • Find us
    • Partners
  • Calendar
  • Jewish Life
    • Prayer
    • Celebrations
    • Bereavement
    • Caring Community
    • Conversion
    • Young Adults
  • Learn
    • Education
    • Israel
  • Make a Difference
    • Volunteer
      • Why Volunteer
      • Volunteering Opportunities
    • Donate
    • Legacy
    • Social Action
    • Interfaith
    • Appeals
  • Membership
    • Join us
    • Welcoming All
    • New to London
  • Documents
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Jewish Life
  2. Conversion

Conversion

West London Synagogue welcomes those who are interested in becoming a ‘Jew by Choice’ to take the next step by contacting our community

West London Synagogue welcomes those who would like to explore the possibility of converting to Judaism via the Beth Din of the Reform Movement. It is a life-changing choice, and so the first step is to start attending our services for a few weeks before meeting Rabbi Helen Freeman, our Co-Senior Rabbi for a formal interview.  The interview allows a candidate for conversion to talk through their life’s journey with Rabbi Helen, and to discuss whether our course is the right choice for their Jewish future. Because it is a profound and personal life decision, a candidate should expect to be asked about their own background and present circumstances. There are three possible starting points to the course each year, so a candidate may be put down on the waiting list, or directed elsewhere if that is more suitable for their own Jewish journey.

It is a pleasure and a privilege for our rabbis to sponsor candidates through the Jewish Preparation course.  Each candidate should meet with their sponsoring rabbi at least once a term. Becoming a part of the West London community and participating in its events is a vital part of the ‘Jews by Choice’ experience, and we aim to match up each candidate with a ‘buddy’ who can help and advise and befriend them through the process. Male candidates are expected to undergo Brit Milah (circumcision) unless exempted for medical reasons.

As they approach the end of their course, they should meet again with their sponsoring rabbi for a final interview. They will then be sent to the Beth Din (rabbinic court) where they will talk about their Jewish journey in front of three rabbis. Assuming all goes well, they will go to the mikveh (ritual bath)  and then be welcomed back at West London Synagogue with an admission service. Because other candidates are being referred to the Beth Din from Reform Synagogues all over the country, it is impossible to predict when our candidates will be given a diary slot.  For that reasons it is important for those who plan a chuppah (Jewish wedding) to wait until after the Beth Din before setting a date.

For more information about joining our conversion programme, please contact Adi Ben-Naim on 020 7535 0275.

Published: 5th January, 2019

Updated: 9th November, 2020

Author:

Related topics:
  • Conversion
  • Education
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Legacy

    By leaving a gift to West London Synagogue in your will, you will help us continue to shine as a beacon of light for our community for many years to come.

  • Chai Appeal

    Chai Appeal

    We are relaunching our CHAI appeal to support the frontline NHS staff at the Royal Free and St Mary’s.

  • Pesach Appeal

    Pesach Appeal

    Pesach is approaching and our thoughts are once again turning to how we can keep our congregation connected in these extraordinary times.

  • Eretz Programme

    Eretz Programme

    West London Synagogue’s popular ERETZ Programme is designed to keep the community in touch with Israel through a variety of bespoke events.

Related

  • New Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programme

    New Adult Bar/Bat Mitzvah Programme

    Weekly sessions will explore the history of Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the importance of making the Torah relevant in each era, the essentials of Progressive Jewish identity, as well as focusing on some of the core preparations for the synagogue ceremony.

  • Lyons Learning Project

    Lyons Learning Project

    The Lyons Learning Project developed during the 175th anniversary of West London Synagogue.

  • Adult

    Adult

    Our aim at West London Synagogue is to make adult learning an interesting, stimulating, sociable and life long experience.

  • Religion School

    Religion School

    We aim to be the cutting-edge synagogue for Jewish education and Hebrew studies.

Most read

  • Weekly Services

    Weekly Services

    Each weekend we hold both Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat services and Saturday morning Shabbat Shacharit services.

  • The Chanukah Gift Which Will Keep on Giving

    The Chanukah Gift Which Will Keep on Giving

    We must continue to keep our community connected and to enable everyone to attend high quality services from wherever they are in the world.

  • Purim Drag Bingo After Party!

    Purim Drag Bingo After Party!

    No Purim spent at Shushan's Got Talent is complete without a Drag Bingo After Party and this year is no exception!

  • Live Broadcast

    Live Broadcast

    Streaming ensures that everyone who wishes to access our services is able to do so.

  • Our History

  • Rabbi Gershon's Thought for the Week

    “ShabbaTots can help bring the entire family closer to the WLS community and to Jewish traditions observed in a fun, progressive, and interesting way. "

  • Pesach Appeal

    Pesach Appeal

    Pesach is approaching and our thoughts are once again turning to how we can keep our congregation connected in these extraordinary times.

  • Become a Member

    Become a Member

    We want to offer new and prospective members a choice of ways in which to find a comfortable place for themselves within West London Synagogue.

  • Conversion

    Conversion

    West London Synagogue welcomes anyone with the right motivation, who is considering becoming a ‘Jew by choice’.

  • Associate Rabbi Emily Reitsma-Jurman

    Associate Rabbi Emily Reitsma-Jurman

Latest tweet

Find us Visit us
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager

The West London Synagogue of British Jews, a Company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales.
Incorporation Number: 08578248  Registered Charity Number: 1155821

Registered office and all communications to be addressed to:
33 Seymour Place, London, W1H 5AU | 020 7723 4404 | [email protected]