New here

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

Hi JBC!

I'm Sara, 22, currently living in Edinburgh. I've been feeling drawn to Judaism for a while now and decided over Christmas (ironically enough although my family isn't religious) that I would begin reading and studying Judaism for my last semester here in Edinburgh. If I feel the same way in 6 months, when I move to London, I plan to actively pursue a conversion.

I'm still very much in the beginning stages of all of this, but I can't ignore this pull towards Judaism and so I figured this forum might be one of the ways I can learn while also keeping up with school.

I'm considering either a Conservative or Liberal conversion. I'm from Scandinavia, but I don't want to convert at home since there's only an Orthodox community there. Besides, I plan to go to graduate school in London.

Anyway, that's a little bit about me! It's so nice to have found this place :3

Posts : 678 Join date : 2011-09-05 Age : 41

Welcome, Sara. It's nice to have you. Feel free to ask all the questions you'd like! Very Happy

Subject: Re: New here Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:45 pm

Welcome Sara!

Posts : 314 Join date : 2011-09-12

Yeah welcome!

Posts : 152 Join date : 2011-12-01 Location : New York

Welcome Sara!

I'm sure you'll feel comfortable here to ask questions.

We'll try to answer to the best of our ability!

Posts : 101 Join date : 2011-09-06 Location : NC

Welcome Sara, and I think that's a sensible plan you have. Take your time and learn as you go.

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

Thanks for the welcome, guys!

Guest

Welcome Sara! I am new myself to Judaism. Have you gone to services or met with a rabbi? The first thing I did, too was read everything I possibly could. I learned a lot, and confirmed my desire to convert.

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

Thanks for the welcome! I haven't yet, both because I'm short on time (I'm in my final year at Uni) and because I'm a bit nervous about approaching the Orthodox congregation here.

Posts : 84 Join date : 2012-01-02

There are liberal congregations in Edinburgh, if that's what you feel you would be more comfortable with.

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

Really? I had no idea. I live really close to the Orthodox shul and they're what pop up when you google Judaism in Edinburgh, but I'll definitely check and see about the liberal congregation! Thanks so much.

Subject: Re: New here Mon Feb 13, 2012 10:24 am

SaraK wrote:: Really? I had no idea. I live really close to the Orthodox shul and they're what pop up when you google Judaism in Edinburgh, but I'll definitely check and see about the liberal congregation! Thanks so much.

There are different movements within Judaism. Orthodox is not the only way to be Jewish. Are there conservative shuls near you?

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

tamar wrote:

SaraK wrote:: Really? I had no idea. I live really close to the Orthodox shul and they're what pop up when you google Judaism in Edinburgh, but I'll definitely check and see about the liberal congregation! Thanks so much.

There are different movements within Judaism. Orthodox is not the only way to be Jewish. Are there conservative shuls near you?

Well, I know that, I just didn't know there were non-Orthodox congregations in Edinburgh since all I've been able to find was of the Orthodox shul online. I don't plan on converting Orthodox, but Conservative and so far I've not been able to find any information on Conservative shuls in Edinburgh. This is the first I've heard of any Liberal shuls in Edinburgh, though I knew there was a Reform shul in Glasgow.

Posts : 373 Join date : 2011-09-05 Location : Chicagoland

A Google search brought up a webpage with the history of Jews in Edinburgh which confirms that the city has only one Orthodox synagogue and one Liberal synagogue:
Jewish Communities and Records: Edinburgh

Here is the website for the Liberal synagogue:
Edinburgh LIberal Community Synagogue

Posts : 38 Join date : 2012-01-22 Age : 34

Debbie B. wrote:: A Google search brought up a webpage with the history of Jews in Edinburgh which confirms that the city has only one Orthodox synagogue and one Liberal synagogue:
Jewish Communities and Records: Edinburgh

Here is the website for the Liberal synagogue:
Edinburgh LIberal Community Synagogue

Thank you! I don't know how I missed that, haha.