CONVERSION TO JUDAISM IN SOUTH AFRICA by RABBI PINCHAS ZEKRY submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY in the subject RELIGIOUS STUDIES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: PROF G J A LUBBE DECEMBER 1998 SUMMARY Amidst the decisive events of the 20th century - the Holocaust and the rebirth of the Jewish homeland - which impacted heavily on Jewish attitudes, emerged a broadening of religious doctrines creating diversity within Judaism. Previous insularist tendencies were replaced by revised outlooks on proselytisation, blending with the unique characteristics of South African Jewry. Clearly, local Jewish society and the Rabbinate have placed these updated perceptions high on its agenda. The inevitable mixed reactions have been reviewed in this work, which looks at the long road travelled by the convert from the viewpoint of current motivations, acceptance by the community and post conversion levels of observance. My own theory is a model encompassing the respective components of local proselytism looking at categories of converts, their motives, demands to ·be met and obstacles. To comprehend the contemporary position, a historical survey delved into the issue from its Biblical origins via the influences of centuries, reaching the South African scene. This inquiry investigated the development · of conversion policies drawn from an evolvement of energetic Halakhic debate. These attitudes manifest themselves in archival sources from 1924, of which my analysis is the first of its kind. From these records, together with those of my own community and data available from the Cape Beth Din, the interpretative statistics thus compiled identified characteristics and motivations of applicants and procedural mechanics. This work proceeded a step further. Focus on the Durban model provided an ideal observation point for the post conversion stages. Personal knowledge of the candidates gained from my service to Durban Jewry enabled me to assess their respective adherences and absorption into the community. Furthermore, responses to a questionnaire sent to the local Jewry and interviews revealed attitudes both of Jews by birth and the converts themselves whilst added perceptions were obtained from a questionnaire sent to the Rabbis of South Africa. In the final chapter I submitted proposals and recommendations, some of which are radical. Covering the entire process of conversion this model attempts to address the future of conversions in South Africa as this is expected to remain a pivotal issue of immense momentum. KEY TERMS Jewish Orthodox conversion; South African Jewry; Durban Jewry; Religious transformation; Post conversion dynamics; Development of Jewish proselytisation; Socio-demographic statistics on conversion; Beth Din of Johannesburg; External perception of the convert; Conversion programmes; Theory of conversion; Conversion Model - Ulpan. 296.7140968 ZEl<R I Bl' ~~·: " t 88:.: "1 l- ( J ................... /\,-.JI:~' , J 1\arr·.vq: . --- \\\\\lllliill\I 0001735557 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT In the course of the long road which I have covered in order to have compiled this research, I was fortunate to be blessed with the input and assistance offered by a number of people and organisations. First and foremost, I should like to express my gratitude to Professor G.J.A. Lubbe, of Unisa for his invaluable counsel in guiding me towards the construction of this work. I should also like to thank the Chief Rabbi of South Africa, C.K. Harris and the Rosh Beth Din, Rabbi M.A. Kurtstag, for our long standing friendship as well as their encouragement and ongoing support for this project. My thanks, too, to the dayanim of the Beth Din and the Registrar for Conversions, Rabbi. B. Bender, for their utmost co-operation and for allowing me access to the Beth Din archives as well as supplying information, which has proved vital to this thesis. On the local scene I should like to record my sincere appreciation to two parties, in particular, who have assisted me throughout the course of this work. Rev. Brian Lurie, who has rendered unstinting devotion to me during my years of service to the Durban Jewish community, was always available. His command of the English language has been a great contribution to the compiling of this material. So, too, his first hand knowledge of the local scene and its history. Mrs Denise Wartski who joined the office staff of the Synagogue at the crucial juncture of this project. Her timing proved excellent. I am deeply indebted to her for the long hours she spent applying her typing and editorial skills to this project and the enthusiasm which she displayed at all times. I thank, too, my dedicated secretary of many years, Mrs Val Cohen, for her general input and loyal support and other members of the Synagogue office staff. On a recent visit to Israel I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Allie M. Dubb of Tel Aviv University. For his advice based on the fruits of his expertise I am most grateful. My thanks go to Mrs Sanmarie Hugo, Department of Computer Services, Unisa and to Professor Charles Crathers, Head of Department of Sociology, University of Natal, for assisting me in the production of a statistical analysis. Many thanks, too, to journalist, Ms Benita Levin, who conducted some of the interviews and to all who participated in the fieldwork which I conducted. To the President of the Durban United Hebrew Congregation, Mr Maldwyn Zimmerman, the Chairman, Mr Alex Zingol together with the members of the Synagogue Council, I extend my gratitude for the great interest they have continually shown in this work. Last but not least my thanks to my family - my wife, Dina, and children, Netanel and Ronen for being there for me throughout the course of this undertaking. This work is dedicated to my sons, Netanel and Ronen. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 : THE LONG ROAD TO CONVERSION PAGES 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 METHODOLOGY 5 1.2 THE LONG ROAD TO CONVERSION 11 1.3 THEORY OF CONVERSION TO JUDAISM IN THE PRESENT CONTEXT 20 1.3.1 Identity of the convert 21 1.3.1.1 Conversion for marriage 21 1.3.1.2 Ideological conversion 22 1.3.1.3 Regularisation of Jewish status 24 1.3.1.4 Minors 25 1.3.2 History of conversion to Judaism 25 1.3.3 Effect of Halakha on convert 27 1.3.3.1 Opposing trends 28 1.3.3.2 The convert and the Beth Din 30 1.3.3.3 Dominant power 30 1.3.3.4 Rituals vis-a-vis Philosophy 31 1.3.4 Socio religious ho/ism 32 1.3.4.1 Total transformation 32 1.3.4.2 Severance with the past 3~ 1.3.4.3 The inter-relationship crisis 34 1.3.4.4 Dilemma of acceptance 35 1.3.5 The landing stage 36 1.3.5.1 Implementation stage 36 1.3.5.2 Support system 36 1.3.5.3 Acquiring a new "milieu" 37 1.4 CONCLUSION 38 1.5 CONVERSION : ROLE MODELS 38 1.5.1 Abraham 39 1.5.2 Ruth 40 1.5.3 A modern Abraham 41 1.6 CHAPTER OUTLINE 42 2 PAGES CHAPTER2 : HISTORY OF CONVERSION 2.1 HISTORY OF CONVERSION 45 2.1.1 The conversion of the Israelites : A historical turning point 45 2.1.2 Conversion en masse 48 2.1.3 The influence of the rise of the Christian Church upon conversion to Judaism 51 2.1.4 The Khazars 5$ 2.1.5 The position during the enlightened era 54 2.1.6 During the re-admission to England 56 2.1.7 New worlds and new trends 58 2.1.8 A Sephardic ban on converts 61 2.2 THE ISRAELI SCENE 62 2.3 THE SOUTH AFRICAN SCENE 64 CHAPTER 3 : CONVERSION - THE HALAKHIC POSITION 3. INTRODUCTION 81 3.1 ATTITUDES TOWARDS CONVERSION -AN EXAMINATION OF CONFLICTING STATEMENTS 83 3.1.1 Response to a non - Jewish interpretation of conversion 89 3.1.2 Arguments for welcoming converts 91 3.1.3 Acceptance/rejection - The differing fundamental viewpoints of Maimonides and Halevi 94 3.1.4 Conclusion 98 3.2 MOTIVES FOR CONVERSION 100 3.3 THE ROLE OF THE BETH DIN 106 3.4 KABBALAT MITZVOT (ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMMANDMENTS) 112 3.5 CONVERSION OF CHILDREN 116 3.6 THE CONVERT AND THE COHEN HS 3.7 ACT OF CONVERSION 120 3.8 CANCELLATION OF CONVERSION 122 3.9 CONCLUSION 123 3 CHAPTER 4: JOHANNESBURG BETH DIN ARCHIVES 4.1 INTRODUCTION 124 4.2 METHODOLOGY 126 4.3 DEVELOPMENT OF BETH DIN POLICY IN JOHANNESBURG 128 4.3.1 Relationship between Ecclesiastical and Lay Committee 128 4.4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS - CASE STUDY 4.4.1 Composition of sources 139 4.4.2 Quantum of conversion 144 4.4.3 Analysis 148 4.4.3.1 Relation of conversion to population differentials 148 4.4.3.2 Development in the policies of the Beth Din 150 4.4.3.3 Changed Social Attitudes 151 4.4.3.4 Conversion demands by the Beth Din 152 4.5 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THE THREE CENTRES 152 4.5.1 Johannesburg 153 4.5.2 Cape Town 153 4.5.3 Durban 154 4.5.4 Comparative Study of conversion by decade between the three centres 156 4.5.5 Higher rate of conversion in small centres 160 4.6 MAJOR SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 4.6.1 Gender of converts 162 4.6.2 Age of converts 168 4.6.3 Marital Status of converts 170 4.6.4 Length of conversion 173 4.6.5 Analysis of previous religious denominations of converts 177 4.6.6 Previous religion of converts : Levels of adherence 182 4.6.7 Parents' reaction to conversion 184 4.6.8 Education background of converts 187 4.6.9 Occupation of converts 188 4.6.10 Hebrew names chosen by converts 189 4.7 REASONS FOR CONVERSION 192 4.7.1 Reasons for conversion in relation to age of converts 193 4.7.2 Reasons for conversion by marital status of converts 195 4 PAGES 4.8 CONVERSION - PERSONS OF COLOUR 197 4.9 CONVERSION PROGRAMME : THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER 202 4.10 CASES FROM THE BETH DIN'S ARCHIVES 205 4.11 CONCLUSION 228 CHAPTER 5 : DURBAN AS A MODEL 5.