Moments in a Year of Learning to be Jewish

Welcoming the new Jews-by-choice on Shabbat morning

Becoming Jewish- a choice of a lifetime
When starting on the journey to become Jewish- candidates of our Step-by-Step group engage in the life cycle of Beit Warszawa and Beit Polska. Theory and practice go hand by hand. Local candidates attend a once a week study session of Jewish customs and laws, Hebrew reading of the prayer book and lectures on Jewish history. Out of town people from all over Poland gather once a month for a full weekend of study and prayer. Experiencing and living a Jewish life is essential for being able to take upon oneself the commitment of joining Am Israel.

Beit Warszawa is their home and the candidates become close to the members of the community while forming support groups of their own, talking and laughing until late Friday night.

Our candidates take part in preparing for the holiday meals, learning firsthand how to “kosherize” the kitchen for Passover and how to be ready for the big day of standing before the court of three Rabbis for their conversion.

During this special day the “about to become” new Jews by Choice are being surrounded with support and guidance through the Beit Din session and the immersing in the mikveh.

For the peak of the journey we welcome our new members of the Jewish People into the community during Kabalat Shabbat. Listening to the Shehecheyanu recited and watching the smiles on their faces is an exciting moment for everyone present.

“Being counted in the Minyan, wearing my new talit and having my first aliya to the Torah- is what I have been waiting for so long” said Arie (formally Piotr) on Shabbat morning.

Zivah Nativ