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Questionnaire on Conversion

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Conservative Judaism experienced an unprecedented surge in conversions by 1969, with an estimated 3,578 annual conversions across the movement - far exceeding previous estimates. To examine this phenomenon, the Rabbinical Assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards surveyed its members about their conversion practices, receiving 180 detailed responses. Statistical analysis combined with qualitative review of supplementary materials revealed that 60% of rabbis actively welcomed conversion candidates, primarily those pursuing interfaith marriage. While 154 rabbis adhered to standardized Rabbinical Assembly protocols, educational approaches varied widely, with 55 different textbooks in use across congregations. Seven regional conversion programs emerged to serve 201 candidates through structured 8-16 week curricula, demonstrating growing institutional responses to conversion demands. However, post-conversion support remained notably weak, with only 23 rabbis maintaining systematic follow-up programming. These findings prompted committee recommendations for establishing pilot conversion schools, central registries, and dedicated oversight committees to address this significant transformation in Conservative Jewish life more systematically.

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    Published 1970

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    Aaron Blumenthal