Transformative Words Transforming Acts: The Liturgy and Rituals of the Giur Process Thesis for Rabbinic Ordination. The Levisson Institute for the Training of Rabbis and Leadership for the Dutch Jewish Community by Ira W. Goldberg Den Haag, 7 Av 5772 26 July 2012 Supervised by Rabbi Yehoram Mazor and Rabbi David Lilienthal Transformative Words Transforming Acts: Rituals and Liturgy of the Giur Process Page | i Table of Contents Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................................... iii Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Rituals of Beginning: Liturgy for the Start of a Transformative Journey ................................ 3 First contact and the initial interview(s) ............................................................................................. 3 Chapter 3 Rituals for Development: Liturgy for Learning and Integration ............................................. 6 Study course ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Integration into the community ......................................................................................................... 8 Developing a Jewish Identity ............................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 4 Rituals of Confirmation and Commencement: Liturgy for the Beit Din and Gemirat Da’at 12 Beit Din .............................................................................................................................................. 14 Gemirat Da’at .................................................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 5 Rituals of Confirmation and Commencement: Liturgy for the Moments of Giur ................ 19 Brit Milah/Hatafat Dam .................................................................................................................... 20 Mikvah Ceremonies .......................................................................................................................... 25 Conversion Certificates ..................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 6 Rituals of Homecoming, Celebration and Affirmation: Liturgy for Welcoming a Ger Tzedek into the Community ......................................................................................................................... 43 Post-conversion ceremonies ............................................................................................................. 44 Immediately following the mikvah ............................................................................................... 44 In the congregation after completion of the giur process ............................................................ 45 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 56 Chapter 7 Conclusions and Recommendations .................................................................................... 56 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 56 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 58 Chapter 8 Proposed Liturgy for a Ceremony Welcoming New Prospective Gerim as They Commence the Giur Process ............................................................................................................................... 60 Bibliography .......................................................................................................................................... 64 Chapter 9 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 64 Annexes ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Annex A Talmud Texts on Giur Rituals .......................................................................................... 1 Annex B Liturgy related to the Beit Din ........................................................................................ 1 26 July 2012 Ira W. Goldberg Transformative Words Transforming Acts: Rituals and Liturgy of the Giur Process Page | ii Tefilah / Kavanah for the Beit Din before beginning their work ..................................................... 1 Questions for the Beit Din to ask the Ger/Gioret ............................................................................... 2 Giur Service in the Synagogue ........................................................................................................ 2 Conversion Service .......................................................................................................................... 2 Questions for the Beit Din to ask the prospective ger/gioret......................................................... 3 Annex C Liturgy related to Gemirat Da’at ........................................................................................ 1 Declarations to be signed by the Ger/Gioret ...................................................................................... 1 Declaration from the Progressive Beit Din of Switzerland .............................................................. 1 4 ................................................................................................................................ קבלת עול מצוות Annex D Liturgy related to the Brit Milah ........................................................................................ 1 Liturgy from the Moreh Derekh .......................................................................................................... 1 Liturgy from Ma’aglei Tzedek ............................................................................................................. 1 Liturgy from Seder Tov Lehodot ......................................................................................................... 2 Annex E Liturgy related to the Mikvah............................................................................................. 1 Liturgy from the Moreh Derekh .......................................................................................................... 1 Liturgy from Ma’aglei Tzedek ............................................................................................................. 1 Liturgy from Siddour Taher Libénou ................................................................................................... 1 Liturgy from MARAM .......................................................................................................................... 1 Liturgy from Parashat Ha-Mayyim ...................................................................................................... 3 Conversion Ceremony at the Mikveh by Alona Lisitsa and Maya Leibovitch ................................. 3 Ceremony of Tevilah ....................................................................................................................... 5 Annex F Giur Certificates ................................................................................................................. 1 The Netherlands/ Zurich / European Beit Din .................................................................................... 1 Certificate for a Man without a Jewish parent. .............................................................................. 1 Conversion Certificate ..................................................................................................................... 1 Certificate for a Woman who has a Jewish father. (Confirmation of Jewish Status) ..................... 2 Germany .............................................................................................................................................. 3 France.................................................................................................................................................. 4 Israel .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Conservative Movement (USA) ........................................................................................................... 8 Certificate of Conversion ................................................................................................................ 8 Annex G Liturgy for Post-Conversion Ceremonies ............................................................................ 9 Immediately following Conversion ..................................................................................................... 9 26 July 2012 Ira W. Goldberg Transformative Words Transforming Acts: Rituals and Liturgy of the Giur Process Page | iii Netherlands/Zurich ........................................................................................................................