76-555: Marilyn Foreman (21 October 1944 – 18 December 2014), better known as Mandy Rice-Davies , was a Welsh model and showgirl best known for her association with Christine Keeler and her role in the Profumo affair , which discredited the Conservative government of British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1963. Rice-Davies was born near Llanelli , Wales, and, during her childhood, moved to Solihull, Warwickshire . Her father
152-507: A lock for being drunk on pink Champagne ." Rice-Davies appeared in a number of television and film productions, including Absolutely Fabulous and episode 6 of the first series of Chance in a Million . Her film career included roles in Nana, the True Key of Pleasure (1982), Black Venus (1983), and Absolute Beginners (1986) as the mother of Colin – whose father
228-534: A mechitza ; these synagogues were called traditional Judaism . Over a five-year period they performed some 750 conversions to Judaism. However, in 1983 the joint Beth Din was dissolved, due to the unilateral American Reform Jewish decision to change the definition of Jewishness: The move was precipitated by the resolution on patrilineality adopted that year by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. This decision to redefine Jewish identity, as well as
304-474: A Boat . This expedition was commissioned by Alan Coren for the magazine Punch , the other members of the party being cartoonist Merrily Harpur and a toy Alsatian to represent Montmorency, the dog in the original story. Purves recounted how she "immediately spotted that this Rice-Davies was a woman to go up the Amazon with" and, among other things, that "only Mandy's foxy charm saved us from being evicted from
380-733: A Jew the conversion can no longer be rejected. In the United States, Reform Judaism rejects the concept that any rules or rituals should be considered necessary for conversion to Judaism. In the late 19th century, the Central Conference of American Rabbis , the official body of American Reform rabbis, formally resolved to permit the admission of converts "without any initiatory rite, ceremony, or observance whatsoever." (CCAR Yearbook 3 (1893), 73–95; American Reform Responsa (ARR), no. 68, at 236–237.) Although this resolution has often been examined critically by many Reform rabbis,
456-493: A conception of Jewish identity. And furthermore, they could not supervise conversions that would occur with increasing frequency due to a Reform outreach effort that was inconsistent with their own understanding of how to relate to potential proselytes. Specifically, in 1983, the Central Conference of American Rabbis passed a resolution waiving the need for formal conversion for anyone with at least one Jewish parent who has made affirmative acts of Jewish identity. This departed from
532-610: A diversion between acts was the El Rancho Vegas in 1941. Showgirls with expensive costumes were presented in Las Vegas in 1952 at the Sands Casino for a show with Danny Thomas . Initially opening and closing for headline acts , sometimes dancing around the headliner, showgirls later moved on to being the main attraction and stars of the show. During the 1950s and 1960s showgirls performed in every hotel and casino on
608-484: A full Jew; the literal meaning of "stranger", "resident", or "foreigner" refers to the convert's origin, not present status. In Karaite Judaism the term ger only refers to a non-Jew who has yet to fully convert to Judaism, and once converted to Karaitism, is no longer called ger . In the Talmud , ger is used in two senses: ger tzedek refers to a "righteous convert", a proselyte to Judaism, and ger toshav ,
684-514: A girl and 13 for a boy) is required to fulfill the requirements of conversion, that is circumcision and mikvah, but are not required to perform an 'acceptance of the mitzvoth'. The conversion instead is done al daat beth din , i.e. the acceptance is done by the Beth Din presiding over the conversion. The child lives as a Jew until their bar/bat mitzvah and they then have the option of rejecting their conversion. Once they have accepted to continue as
760-549: A non-Jewish inhabitant of the Land of Israel who observes the Seven Laws of Noah and has repudiated all links with idolatry . In Modern Hebrew , the unqualified term ger means ger tzedek . According to Maimonides ( Isurei Biah 13:14), converts were accepted since the beginning of Jewish history, and the foreign wives of Jewish leaders—such as Samson and Solomon —were converts. Yet he says ( Isurei Biah 13:15), that in
836-475: A period of time. A period of one year is common, although individual Rabbis' requirements vary. When the sponsoring Rabbi feels that the candidate is ready, a Beth Din may be convened. Other rituals such as immersion in a mikvah, circumcision (or Hatafat dam brit ), and a public ceremony to celebrate the conversion, are also at the discretion of the Rabbi. In response to the tremendous variations that exist within
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#1732800842497912-575: A prospective convert to Judaism must undergo immersion in a mikveh . In contrast, Eliezer ben Hurcanus makes circumcision a condition for the conversion. A similar controversy between the Shammaites and the Hillelites is given regarding a proselyte born without a foreskin : the former demanding the spilling of a drop of blood symbolic of the Brit Milah, thereby entering into the covenant;
988-510: A series of private negotiations with the leaders of Conservative Judaism's Rabbinical Assembly , including Saul Lieberman ; their goal was to create a joint Orthodox-Conservative national beth din for all Jews in the United States. It would create communal standards of marriage and divorce. It was to be modeled after the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, where all the judges would have been Orthodox, while it would have been accepted by
1064-570: A tax imposed on Jews in 70 AD and relaxed to exclude Christians in 96 AD, also limited Judaism's appeal. According to The Jewish Encyclopedia article on circumcision of proselytes, in the first century AD, before the Mishnah was edited, the requirement for circumcision of proselytes was an open issue between the Zealots and liberal parties in ancient Israel. Joshua ben Hananiah argued that besides accepting Jewish beliefs and laws,
1140-618: A traditional Jewish community or immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return , they must have a formal conversion. According to Israel Bartal , then dean of the humanities faculty of the Hebrew University , "conversions to Judaism had a major impact on Jewish history in the ancient period and in the early Middle Ages". The word ger comes from the Hebrew verb lagur ( לגור ) meaning "to reside" or "to sojourn [with]". In
1216-709: A year of study. This conversion comes 15 years after the Karaite Council of Sages reversed its centuries-old ban on accepting converts. Humanistic Judaism postulates that "conversion" does not suit the process of becoming a Jew, as it implies a change in belief, which is not chosen like behavioral changes. The shift is better described as naturalization, affiliation, or adoption , reflecting alterations in family ties and cultural aspirations rather than fundamental belief changes. Louis Feldman 's views on active Jewish missionizing have changed. While viewing classical Judaism as being receptive to converts, especially from
1292-409: Is 12 years of age for a girl and 13 for a boy. This standard is applied by Orthodox and Conservative Judaism, which accept halakha as binding. Reconstructionist Judaism values the symbolism of the conversion ritual, and encourages those who were not born of Jewish parents and who wish to convert to undergo this rite of passage. The Reconstructionist course of study for a prospective convert, which
1368-517: Is Esther 8:17, although no process is described. ( Esther 8:17 ). The word is rendered by the Greek " proselyte " as used in the Septuagint to denote a "stranger". A formal male convert to Judaism is referred to by the Hebrew word ger ( Hebrew : גר , plural Hebrew : גרים gerim ) and a formal female convert is a giyoret . In all branches of Judaism, a ger or giyoret is considered
1444-591: Is a rabbi), and often a public welcoming ceremony. Karaite Judaism does not accept the Talmud and therefore has different requirements for conversion. Traditionally non-proselytizing, Karaite Judaism's long standing abstention from conversions was recently lifted. On 1 August 2007, the Karaites reportedly converted their first new members in 500 years. At a ceremony in their Northern California synagogue, ten adults and four minors swore fealty to Judaism after completing
1520-440: Is also sometimes extended by strippers and some strip clubs to use it as part of their business name. The French view the term as an American idiomatic expression . In eighteenth century England the term showgirl meant a young woman who acted in a showy way to attract male attention, but by the mid-nineteenth century the term had come to mean a singer and dancer in music hall acts. Showgirls, as now presented, date from
1596-534: Is derived less from qualms with the conversion process itself, since Conservative and even some Reform conversions are very similar to Orthodox conversions with respect to duration and content, but rather from that the Orthodox presumption that convert was not properly instructed in Jewish Law to Orthodox Jewish standards. In general, immersion in the mikveh is an important part of a traditional conversion. If
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#17328008424971672-456: Is determined by the rabbi and congregation the individual is working with, includes history, observance and beliefs, and learning how to make educated choices. The completion of the process is marked by ritual immersion for men and women; circumcision or hatafat dam brit (symbolic drop of blood) for men (unless there exists an extraordinary physical or emotional hazard); a valid Bet Din (a dialogue with three knowledgeable Jews, at least one of whom
1748-400: Is discouraged and religious gerut is somewhat discouraged. The majority of rabbis have traditionally rejected potential converts three times, and if the potential convert remains adamant in their desire to convert, the rabbi will then allow them to begin the process. These practices do not have any solid basis in the written text, and while they may have been the practice in some locations, it
1824-413: Is for all of the judges to be Rabbis or Orthodox clergy. Today conversion requirements and the time required to complete conversion differ according to denomination and rabbinic sponsor. The basic requirements set out in the Talmud include: The consensus of halakhic authorities also requires a convert to understand and formally accept the duties of classical Jewish law . This is not stated explicitly in
1900-674: Is later rejected by the Talmud. Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews , Book 20 Chapter 2, recorded the story of King Izates of Adiabene who decided to follow the Law of Moses at the advice of a Jewish merchant named Ananias. He was going to get circumcised, but his mother, Helen, who herself embraced the Jewish customs, advised against it on the grounds that the subjects would not stand to be ruled by someone who followed such "strange and foreign rites". Ananias likewise advised against it, on
1976-664: Is occasionally referred to with the abbreviation MRDA ("Mandy Rice-Davies applies"). A Private Eye cover at the time of Profumo had a photograph of "the lovely" Rice-Davies with the caption (without any headline or other identification), "Do you mind? If it wasn't for me – you couldn't have cared less about Rachman". Rice-Davies released a 45 EP on the Ember label (EMB EP 4537) in May 1964 entitled Introducing Mandy , which included cover versions of songs such as " All I Do Is Dream of You " and " You Got What It Takes ". Rice-Davies traded on
2052-529: Is portrayed by Ellie Bamber in The Trial of Christine Keeler , a 2019–2020 six-part BBC One television series. Showgirl A showgirl is a female performer in a theatrical revue who wears an exotic and revealing costume and in some shows may appear topless . Showgirls are usually dancers, sometimes performing as chorus girls , burlesque dancers or fan dancers , and many are classically trained with skills in ballet . The term showgirl usage
2128-524: Is questioned or uncertain, even if they were raised Jewish, but may not actually be considered Jews according to traditional Jewish law . There are some groups that have adopted Jewish customs and practices. For example, in Russia the Subbotniks have adopted most aspects of Judaism without formal conversion to Judaism. However, if Subbotniks, or anyone without a formal conversion, wish to marry into
2204-553: Is the only state-recognized authority on religious matters, backed by Rabbi Ovadia Yosef , ruled against this, making the annulment legally invalid for purposes of Israeli law. As of 2006, the Moetzet Hakhamim (Council of Sages) began to accept converts to Karaite Judaism through the Karaite Jewish University . The process requires one year of learning, circumcision (for males), and the taking of
2280-639: The Aldwych Theatre . On Radio 4 's Midweek on 5 February 2014, Rice-Davies said of Stephen Ward, "I didn't fall for him, but I did have an affair with him." She once described her life as "one slow descent into respectability". Rice-Davies died from lung cancer, aged 70, on 18 December 2014 in London. Rice-Davies is played by Bridget Fonda in Scandal , a 1989 film about the Profumo affair. She
2356-473: The Earls Court Motor Show . At Murray's Cabaret Club she met Christine Keeler , who introduced her to her friend, the well-connected osteopath Stephen Ward , and to an ex-lover, the slum landlord Peter Rachman . Rice-Davies became Rachman's mistress and was set up in the house in which he had previously kept Keeler, 1 Bryanston Mews West, Marylebone . Rice-Davies often visited Keeler at
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2432-519: The Folies Bergère which first featured a nude showgirl in 1918. The starring showgirl, often a headliner, is the vedette , such as Mistinguett , with a greater range of performing skills and stage time. A popular showgirl dance was the can-can . Venue locations include: Boulevard de Clichy . The Bluebell Girls, a dance troupe created by the Irish dancer Margaret Kelly in 1932, performed at
2508-570: The Hebrew Bible ger is defined as a "foreigner", or "sojourner". Rabbi Marc Angel writes: The Hebrew ger (in post-Biblical times translated as "proselyte") literally means "resident" and refers to a non-Israelite who lived among the Israelite community. When the Torah commands compassion and equal justice for the ger , it is referring to these "residents". Rabbinic tradition interpreted
2584-544: The Sabbath , they shall not enter the land of promise " ( Midrash Genesis Rabbah xlvi). "The Sabbath-keepers who are not circumcised are intruders, and deserve punishment" ( Midrash Deut. Rabbah i). However, the opposing view is supported in the Babylonian Talmud by Joshua ben Hananiah : "A male convert who has been immersed but not circumcised, or circumcised but not immersed, is a convert." Note this view
2660-633: The Tom Stoppard play, Dirty Linen and New-Found-Land . In 1989, she wrote a novel entitled The Scarlet Thread . The Ottoman Empire provided the backdrop and the novel was described as a stirring wartime saga in the spirit of Gone with the Wind . Subsequently, journalist Libby Purves , who had met Rice-Davies when Mandy was published, invited her to join a female re-creation on the River Thames of Jerome K. Jerome 's comic novel Three Men in
2736-598: The 1960s, with all of the major shows closing by the early 21st century. Films Stage TV Cartoons Conversion to Judaism Conversion to Judaism ( Hebrew : גִּיּוּר , romanized : giyur or Hebrew : גֵּרוּת , romanized : gerut ) is the process by which non-Jews adopt the Jewish religion and become members of the Jewish ethnoreligious community . It thus resembles both conversion to other religions and naturalization . The procedure and requirements for conversion depend on
2812-592: The Folies Bergère and Le Lido. By the 1950s there were permanent troupes of Bluebell Girls in Paris and Las Vegas and touring troupes that travelled around the world. The Ziegfeld Follies revue on Broadway introduced showgirls to the United States in 1907, and Busby Berkeley included them in his Hollywood films in the 1930s. The first casino on the Las Vegas Strip to employ dancing girls as
2888-663: The Las Vegas strip. Competition between casinos led to increasingly lavish shows and costumes. Major shows of the late 1950s included Donn Arden 's Lido de Paris show at the Stardust , Jack Entratter ’s Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel , and Harold Minsky ’s Follies at the Desert Inn . Minsky introduced topless showgirls and these were then incorporated into The Lido de Paris , a show that ran for 31 years. The popularity of showgirl shows in Las Vegas slowly declined after
2964-558: The Orthodox and Conservative denominations were completed and agreed upon, but then a new requirement was demanded by the RCA: The RA must "impose severe sanctions" upon Conservative rabbis for actions they took before this new beth din was formed. Halpern writes that the RA "could not assent to rigorously disciplining our members at the behest of an outside group." He goes on to write that although subsequent efforts were made to cooperate with
3040-606: The Orthodox conversion process as being valid. Since 2008, Haredi Orthodox religious courts in Israel have been rejecting conversions from a number of Orthodox rabbis, since the Chief Rabbinate do not accept the authority of the presiding rabbis. In 2008, a Haredi-dominated Badatz in Israel annulled thousands of conversions performed by the Military Rabbinate in Israel. The Chief Rabbinate of Israel , which
3116-419: The Orthodox, a letter from eleven Rosh Yeshivas was circulated declaring that Orthodox rabbis are forbidden to cooperate with Conservative rabbis. In Denver , Colorado, a joint Orthodox, Traditional, Conservative and Reform Bet Din was formed to promote uniform standards for conversion to Judaism. A number of rabbis were Orthodox and had semicha from Orthodox yeshivas, but were serving in synagogues without
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3192-888: The Reform community, the Conservative Jewish movement attempted to set a nuanced approach. The Conservative Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has issued a legal opinion stating that Reform conversions may be accepted as valid only when they include the minimal Conservative halachic requirements of milah and t'vilah , appearance before a Conservative Beth Din, and a course of Conservative study. ( Proceedings of Committee on Jewish Law and Standards: 1980–1985 , pp. 77–101.) In general, branches of Orthodox Judaism consider non-Orthodox conversions either inadequate or of questionable halachic compliance, and such conversions are therefore not accepted by these branches of Judaism. Conversely, both Conservative and Reform Judaism accept
3268-474: The Roman era was limited in number and did not account for much of the Jewish population growth, due to various factors such as the illegality of male conversion to Judaism in the Roman world from the mid-second century. Another factor that made conversion difficult in the Roman world was the halakhic requirement of circumcision , a requirement that proselytizing Christianity quickly dropped . The Fiscus Judaicus ,
3344-490: The Talmud, but was inferred by subsequent commentators . After confirming that all these requirements have been met, the beth din issues a "Certificate of Conversion" ( Shtar Giur ), certifying that the person is now a Jew. The requirements for conversions vary somewhat within the different branches of Judaism, so whether or not a conversion is recognized by another denomination is often an issue fraught with religious politics. The Orthodox rejection of non-Orthodox conversions
3420-532: The War Minister John Profumo . Profumo's brief relationship with Keeler was the centre of the affair that caused him to resign from the government in June 1963, though Rice-Davies herself never met him. Stephen Ward was found guilty of living on the earnings of prostitution , from money obtained from Rice-Davies and Keeler among others, at a trial instigated after the embarrassment caused to
3496-441: The community. They will then be tested and formally accepted, the convert is issued with a Shtar geirut ("Certificate of Conversion"). As the conversion process becomes more centralized there are only a limited number of permanent conversion courts that are acceptable to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. However, there are a number of rabbis who are willing to conduct decentralized conversions, and are recognized by each other. Two of
3572-520: The course of study will vary from rabbi to rabbi and community to community, though most now require a course in basic Judaism and individual study with a rabbi, as well as attendance at services and participation in home practice and synagogue life." Although an infant conversion might be accepted in some circumstances (such as in the case of adopted children or children whose parents convert), children who convert would typically be asked if they want to remain Jewish after reaching religious adulthood – which
3648-472: The designation of Denver as a pilot community for a new Reform out reach effort to recruit converts, convinced the Traditional and Conservative rabbis that they could no longer participate in the joint board...the national decision of the Reform rabbinate placed the Traditional and Conservative rabbis in an untenable position. They could not cooperate in a conversion program with rabbis who held so different
3724-553: The formation of the new beth din, and the RA refused to do so. According to Orthodox Rabbi Emanuel Rackman , former president of the RCA, the major reason for its failure was pressure from haredi Orthodox rabbis, who held that any cooperation between Orthodoxy and Conservatism was forbidden. In 1956, Rabbi Harry Halpern , of the Joint Conference wrote a report on the demise of this beth din. He writes that negotiations between
3800-492: The government. While being cross-examined at Ward's trial, when James Burge , the defence counsel, pointed out that Lord Astor denied an affair or even having met her, she dispatched this swiftly with pert humour, "Well he would, wouldn't he?" Often misquoted in other contexts as: "Well he would say that, wouldn't he?", by 1979, this phrase had entered the third edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations , and
3876-583: The grounds that worship of God was superior to circumcision ( Robert Eisenman in James the Brother of Jesus claims that Ananias is Paul the Apostle , who held similar views, although this is a novel interpretation lacking support in mainstream scholarship) and that God would forgive him for fear of his subjects. So Izates decided against it. However, later, "a certain other Jew that came out of Galilee, whose name
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#17328008424973952-526: The house she shared with Ward at Wimpole Mews , Marylebone, and, after Keeler had moved elsewhere, lived there herself, between September and December 1962. On 14 December 1962, while Keeler was visiting Rice-Davies at Wimpole Mews, one of Keeler's boyfriends, John Edgecombe , attempted to enter and fired a gun several times at the door. His trial brought attention to the girls' involvement with Ward's social set, and intimacy with many powerful people, including Viscount Astor at whose home of Cliveden Keeler met
4028-477: The joint Beth Din program was welcomed by Haredi Orthodox groups, who saw the program as illegitimate. Further, Haredi groups attempted to prevent non-Orthodox rabbis from following the traditional requirements of converts using a mikveh . In the Haredi view, it is better to have no conversion at all than a non-Orthodox conversion, as all non-Orthodox conversions are not true conversions at all according to them. In
4104-608: The larger Conservative movement as legitimate. Conservative rabbis in the Rabbinical Assembly created a Joint Conference on Jewish Law , devoting a year to this effort. For a number of reasons, the project did not succeed. According to Orthodox Rabbi Louis Bernstein, the major reason for its failure was the Orthodox rabbis' insistence that the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly agree to expel Conservative rabbis for actions they took prior to
4180-671: The late nineteenth century ( Belle Époque ) in Parisian music halls , café-concerts such as Alcazar , Alcazar d'Été , Divan Japonais and cabarets such as the Cabaret des Quat'z'Arts , Lapin Agile , Le Carrousel de Paris , Chez Moune , Concert Mayol , Crazy Horse , Don Camilo , Cabaret du Ciel , Cabaret du Néant , Le Chat Noir , Cabaret de L'Enfer , Le Bœuf sur le toit , Paradis Latin , Bal Tabarin , Moulin Rouge , Le Lido , and
4256-459: The latter declaring it to be unnecessary. In discussions about the necessity of circumcision for those born of a Jewish mother, lending some support to the need for circumcision of converts, the Midrash states: "If thy sons accept My Godhead [by undergoing circumcision] I shall be their God and bring them into the land; but if they do not observe My covenant in regard either to circumcision or to
4332-578: The laws governing conversion ( gerut ) are based on codes of law and texts, including discussions in the Talmud , through the Shulkhan Arukh and subsequent interpretations. (Many of the guidelines of accepting converts are based on the Book of Ruth and the manner whereby Ruth was brought into the fold through her mother-in-law, Naomi ). These rules are held as authoritative by Orthodox Judaism and Conservative Judaism . In Judaism, proselytizing
4408-467: The local Reform community. In actual practice, the requirements for conversion of any individual are determined by the Rabbi who sponsors the convert. Typically, Reform Rabbis require prospective converts to take a course of study in Judaism, such as an "Introduction to Judaism" course, to participate in worship at a synagogue, and to live as a Jew (however that is interpreted by the individual Rabbi) for
4484-492: The majority of Britain's Assembly of Reform Rabbis voted in favor of a position paper proposing "that individuals who live a Jewish life, and who are patrilineally Jewish, can be welcomed into the Jewish community and confirmed as Jewish through an individual process." Britain's Assembly of Reform Rabbis stated that rabbis "would be able to take local decisions – ratified by the Beit Din – confirming Jewish status." The end of
4560-432: The more prominent of these rabbis are Chuck Davidson and Haim Amsalem . Conservative Judaism takes a more lenient approach to the halakhic rules than Modern Orthodox Judaism . Its approach to the validity of conversions is based on whether the conversion procedure followed rabbinic norms, rather than the reliability of those performing it or the nature of the obligations the convert undertook. Accordingly, it may accept
4636-640: The notoriety the trial brought her, comparing herself to Nelson 's mistress, Lady Hamilton . In 1965 she was an associate of pre-fame David Bowie , attending his rehearsals and live performances. In 1966 she married an Israeli businessman, Rafi Shauli and moved to Israel. The couple had one daughter together and Rice-Davies converted to Judaism. She also opened nightclubs and restaurants in Tel Aviv . They were called Mandy's, Mandy's Candies and Mandy's Singing Bamboo. In 1980, with Shirley Flack, Rice-Davies wrote her autobiography, Mandy . A year later she appeared in
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#17328008424974712-416: The person who is converting is male, circumcision is a part of the traditional conversion process as well. If the male who is converting has already been circumcised, then a ritual removal of a single drop of blood will take place ( hatafat dam brit ). However, more liberal branches of Judaism have a more relaxed requirement of immersion and circumcision. Someone who converts as a minor (younger than 12 for
4788-422: The process has become more centralized, with the conversion candidate having to convince a rabbi and the beth din of their sincerity, and there will usually be a considerable amount of study. In addition to studying, potential converts are typically expected to become involved in the Jewish community. This includes attending services, participating in holidays and rituals, and building relationships with other Jews in
4864-478: The resolution still remains the official policy of American Reform Judaism (CCAR Responsa "Circumcision for an Eight-Year-Old Convert" 5756.13 and Solomon Freehof , Reform Responsa for Our Time , no. 15.) Thus, American Reform Judaism does not require ritual immersion in a mikveh , circumcision, or acceptance of mitzvot as normative. Appearance before a Beth Din is recommended, but is not considered necessary. Converts are asked to commit to religious standards set by
4940-463: The second century BC through the first century AD, he points to a lack of either missionizing tracts or records of the names of rabbis who sought converts as evidence for the lack of active Jewish missionizing. Feldman maintains that conversion to Judaism was common and the Jewish population was large both within the Land of Israel and in the Diaspora. Other historians believe that conversion during
5016-406: The sponsoring denomination . Furthermore, a conversion done in accordance with one Jewish denomination is not a guarantee of recognition by another denomination. Normally, though not always, the conversions performed by more stringent denominations are recognized by less stringent ones, but not the other way around. A formal conversion is also sometimes undertaken by individuals whose Jewish ancestry
5092-733: The times of Jewish political power, such as the days of Kings David and Solomon , batei din (Jewish courts) did not accept converts who may have not had the right intention, and they had to wait and prove their intentions to be legally accepted. With the notable exception of some Syrian Jewish communities (primarily the Brooklyn , New York, and Deal, New Jersey communities), all mainstream forms of Judaism today are open to sincere converts, with all denominations accepting converts converted by their denominations. The rules vary between denominations, as does acceptance of some denominations' converts by other denominations. For Rabbinic Judaism ,
5168-611: The traditional position requiring formal conversion to Judaism for children without a Jewish mother . The 1983 resolution of the American Reform movement has had a mixed reception in Reform Jewish communities outside of the United States. Most notably, the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism has rejected patrilineal descent and requires formal conversion for anyone without a Jewish mother. However, in 2015
5244-627: The validity of some Reform and Reconstructionist conversions, but only if they include immersion in a ritual bath ( mikvah ), appearance before a rabbinical court ( beit din ) and, for men, circumcision ( brit milah ) or a symbolic circumcision for those already circumcised ( hatafat dam brit ). The requirements of Reform Judaism for conversions are extremely different, and far more lenient. The denomination states that "people considering conversion are expected to study Jewish theology, rituals, history, culture and customs, and to begin incorporating Jewish practices into their lives. The length and format of
5320-481: The vow that Ruth took: "For whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried; the L ORD do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." Ruth 1:16–17 In the 1950s Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik and other members of the Rabbinical Council of America engaged in
5396-444: The word ger as referring to proselytes..." Angel's explanation of the literal meaning of " ger " as alien is borne out in biblical verses such as Lev 19:34 : The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Another verse which has been interpreted as referring to non-Jews converting to Judaism
5472-535: Was Eleazar," who was well versed in the Law, convinced him that he should, on the grounds that it was one thing to read the Law and another thing to practice it, and so he did. Once Helen and Ananias found out, they were struck by great fear of the possible consequences, but as Josephus put it, God looked after Izates. As his reign was peaceful and blessed, Helen visited the Second Temple to thank God, and since there
5548-612: Was a policeman before becoming a technologist for Dunlop Rubber , and her mother was a former actress. She attended Sharmans Cross Secondary Modern School. As a teenager she worked at Woods Farm in Shirley assisting with the horse yard there. She appeared older than her age and at 15 she got a Saturday job as a clothes model at the Marshall & Snelgrove department store in Birmingham . At 16 she went to London as Miss Austin at
5624-430: Was a terrible famine at the time, she brought much food and aid to the people of Jerusalem. The Amoraim who produced the Talmud set out basic requirements for conversion to Judaism ( Keritot 8b), which must be witnessed and affirmed by a beth din (a rabbinical court composed of three Jewish males above the age of Bar Mitzvah). The judges on the Beth Din should be observant of Jewish law. Common Orthodox practice
5700-403: Was not universal, and a number of rabbis have not followed these practices. In order to convert, the conversion candidate must have a circumcision (if male) and immerse in the mikveh before a kosher beth din , comprising three Jewish males who are shomer Shabbat . There is also a requirement to accept the Jewish commandments (although not necessarily a commitment to keep them). Today,
5776-416: Was played by Ray Davies from The Kinks . In the 1989 film Scandal , about the Profumo affair, Bridget Fonda portrayed Rice-Davies alongside Joanne Whalley as Keeler. She was closely involved in the development of Andrew Lloyd Webber 's musical Stephen Ward about Ward's involvement in the Profumo affair, in which she was portrayed by Charlotte Blackledge. The musical opened on 19 December 2013 at
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