How much money do I have to spend on my conversion process to Judaism?

Question

I am 19, a Pashtun ethnic from Pakistan. Since there are no synagogue or any Jewish community in our country I have to travel to India inorder to be officially converted and recognized as a Jew. Regardless of the travel expenses, how much money do I have to spend in the conversion process and what else will be needed?

Answer 1

There is no charge for a Jewish conversion, simply because conversion is a not-for-profit endeavor. Nevertheless, there might be certain administrative fees, which may vary between the different rabbinical courts. These costs may include tutoring fees, purchase of study materials, Mikvah (bath used for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism) and Mohel "circumciser" fees, and administrative fees to cover the expenses of the rabbinical court.

Beyond such charges there is no place for finances in the conversion process.

Answer 2

The thing that might be expensive is the rabbinical court that will do your conversion at the end of the process.

For the beginning, you will have to find a rabbi who will be willing to mentor you and he will set up the connection to the rabbinical judges as soon as you are ready for that. I don't know how much money rabbis take and whether they take any money at all, but I am sure you can figure something out once you approach someone. Especially if he knows your story he might be willing to support you.



The process can be long. It is not easy to convert to Judaism. Since you are pretty much alone with your situation (as far as I understand) it will be a good thing for you to join conversion forums online and to look for web pages that explain the process and the things you will have to know and to pay attention to when you convert. Just google it, I am sure there are plenty of web sites on the matter.

Answer 3

Well, theoretically none.....



However, being Pakistani, you'd need to pay for probably a ticket outside, and for hotels, transportation, food, and the such. The Rabbi, from what I understand, won't charge you anything, at least if you can't afford to pay, and the dedication would be enough for him.



You may want to buy your own Jewish items, such as a kippah (Jewish head covering) or prayer book, but you can probably receive these for free from the synagogue. The ones you purchase yourself, though, can be nicer and more personalized.

Answer 4

(I commented on your previous question.)



First, a link to an interesting article:



http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/india-expels-chabad-rabbi-over-alleged-attempt-to-hide-conversion-efforts-1.418317



"India expels Chabad rabbi over alleged attempt to hide conversion efforts

Rabbi Zalman Bernstein charged by Indian authorities for failing to declare on his visa application that he would be conducting religious activities and of trying to convert foreigners."



I don't know how relevant, if at all, this will be for your case.



=



Read the following page fully:



http://www.beingjewish.com/conversion/becomingjewish.html

"Becoming Jewish: The pros and cons and how to do it"



...among other things that page has a link to a mailing list whose people might (or may not) be able to give you some guidance. That page also links to a Noahide group --which is a wiser choice than conversion.



==



"how much money do I have to spend in the conversion process"



Beside tutoring fees, you'll have to sustain yourself for a couple of years: a conversion process lasts as long. You'll need money to pay rent, food, bills, etc. etc.

Answer 5

send me all you money i can convert you to a jew, your dog into a jew, even your car if you want into a jewish car. mozel tov

Answer 6

Don't worry, spend as much as you can, you'll gain the triple of the money and more after the conversion.