This link was posted over on Emes Ve Emunah in their comments. The statement doesn't provide for comments. I'll take comments on it.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/24745709/EJF-R-Wender-of-Houston-Statement
EJF R' Wender of Houston Statement
For starters, I see they will slow down someone's process if they lose their job... that's not very nice. In this economy especially, this can happen.
I think you completely misunderstood the 'job loss' comment. Many events in the life of the candidate can slow down the process because they require the candidate's attention: job loss, death in the family, other emergencies that sometimes drag on. We have a very sincere woman in our community whose job requires a lot of travel and other distractions. It is taking her longer than others to reach a point where she can complete her conversion. That is just one example of what can happen. It isn't anyone's fault. Rav Wender's comment was 'not nice' at all. You put a different spin on it.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been following this current blog post which I assume follows on from previous blog entries in regard to why a person currently in the process may experience some set backs along the way.
ReplyDeleteFor instance alot of factors can also determine and more or less contribute to the (time frame) in how long it takes person to complete their conversion. Generally speaking it may take a person 1-2 years, it could take 5+ years.
So considering factors such as moving into a new community (even a new state, country) and then the possibility may arise that one would have to consider an entire new career shift resulting in seeking new employment opportunities.
Different Beit Din may require different things from their candidates long before one 'officially' becomes a conversion candidate not to mention finding a Rabbi who will work with you.
Some may be required to live in and with an observant family, others will need to be physically living within an 'active' (well established) community.
Naturally the Beit Din will have fees, then you will have the Mikveh fee, Books need to be acquired, basic Judaica needs to be purchased and not to mention additional costs such as (working with a mentor) and so forth.
While I try to make this an ecclectic blog. However, most of my posts are hot topics in conversion.
ReplyDeleteI'm a convert from the Houston beis din and everything Rabbi stated regarding the fees involved is true, I only paid $50 for the application fee and the mikvah fees to the shul where the mikvah is located, which is not Rabbi Wender's shul. The same holds true regarding EJF, I was never mentioned anything about EJF, all I knew from my own research is that they were approved by EJF, because the beis din is listed on the EJF website. Never did I have to speak, meet or contact in any way, someone from EJF.
ReplyDeleteIt saddens me that Rabbi Wender and the Houston community is involved with the Orand-Tropper scandal, it's a great community with amazing yiddishkeit. Rabbi Wender ia an amazing rabbi, who was always supportive of me and my family, always there to answer questions and completely understanding of the different circumstances one goes through in life. I have the utmost respect for Rabbi Wender and the other Rabbis on the beis din and hope that every prospective convert's experience is as meaningful and delightful as ours.
Yeah, if you read enough of this blog, you will see, I don't think Shannon is exactly blameless. Some girls converting really don't like to give up their sex.
ReplyDelete