Just as Christianity has different denominations so too does Judaism. Within Judaism these three major divisions, known as movements, are Orthodox, Conservative and Reform. There is also a very small movement known as Reconstructionist.
The Orthodox are the oldest of these movements. Central to the Orthodox is the belief that torah and oral law were given to the Jewish people by God and these cannot be changed. The Orthodox hold to the belief that Halakhah, Jewish law, is binding upon us today and cannot be changed.
The conversion process under the orthodox consist of rigorous study with a Rabbi (one-on-one only), mikvah, circumcision or Hatafat dam brit and a Beit Din consisting of three Rabbi’s (all male). At this Beit Din you will be asked if you plan to keep an orthodox home and raise any children that you may have as Jews. They will also make sure that you do not hold to any non-Jewish belief or belief system.
The Conservative movement, which was created in response to the Reform movement, was created in the United States and is the second youngest of the liberal movements (liberal refers to all non-Orthodox). The Conservative is considered to be closest to the Orthodox. Like the Orthodox, they believe that Torah and Halakhah are of divine origin. They differ from the Orthodox in that they believe Halakhah must be reinterpreted as time progresses.
The Conservative conversion process consist of study (sometimes in large classes), mikvah, circumcision or Hatafat dam brit, and a Beit Din of three Rabbi’s (lay persons may also be used. Male or female.). The primary differences between the orthodox and conservative conversion is in the make up of the study period and Beit Din. While the Orthodox discourage potential converts and conduct conversion class only on a one-on-one basis, the conservatives tend to be more welcoming and often have large classes. There will also be a noticeable difference in the Beit Din. Unlike the Orthodox, a conservative Beit Din may consist of male or female, Rabbi’s and laypersons. Due to this major difference your conservative conversion will likely not be accepted by the orthodox community. It will, however be recognized by all the other movements.
The Reform movement is the most wide spread of the movements. It was started in pre-World War II Germany and originally dropped such concepts as “chosen people.” They also dropped the widespread Jewish practice or head covering and used, not Hebrew but the native tongue of their host country in services. Such symbols as the Tallit and Kippah were thrown out. This radical movement infuriated the Orthodox and the Conservative movement sprang as a response to this internal conflict.
The Reform movement has recently shifted back to a more traditional form of worship and practice. In many Reform congregations head covering is required in services, more Hebrew has been added and you will see Talliot during day services. Even with this shift to the traditional, the Reform remain the radicals of the group. Giving specific conversion requirements for the Reform movement is difficult because there are no standards and it will differ from one rabbi to another. A course of study will be required. This most often is done in a large class setting. Mikvah is not usually required and neither is circumcision or Hatafat Dam Brit. However they may be encouraged. The requirements will differ. The Orthodox will not accept a reform conversion. Conservatives generally will accepting it if the traditional requirements have been meet.
The Reconstructionist is the newest and smallest movement on the scene. It does not accept the Torah or Halakah as divine in origin. Nor does it necessarily believe in God at all. Having said that one would think this the be the movement that is considered to be of the far left. That would be an incorrect assumption. Generally speaking it falls somewhere conservative and reform. They view Judaism as an “evolving religious civilization.” Center to their beliefs are the concept of Jewish people hood. They view Jewish law as a cultural obligation and as such tend to be more observant that the reform. Like the reform, standards for conversion do differ from Rabbi to Rabbi however mikvah and circumcision/Hatafat Dam Brit are often required. Due to this Reconstructionist conversions are usually accepted by the conservative and reform movement
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