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Daniel Greenberg speaks out for converts

August 6, 2009 09:46

ByCandice Krieger, Candice Krieger

1 min read

at a time when the JFS case is making conversion a hotter topic than ever, parliamentary counsel Daniel Greenberg is arguing that we need to change our attitudes to the issue.
The north Londoner, who is also an educator in Jewish law and philosophy, has been tutoring potential conversion candidates for the past 15 years.
He believes there are many imperfections in the current conversion process which need to be dealt with. He has now decided to make his concerns public in his newly published book, How to Become Jewish (and why not to).

Mr Greenberg, 44, tells People: “I have been an official tutor to about 20 conversion candidates for the London Beth Din, in addition to other informal cases.

“Over the years, there were some recurring themes about the process and how converts are treated afterwards that I found disquieting.

“We need to change our attitudes and I thought the book would be a way of helping the process.” He adds: “What troubles me most is how converts are treated in the community — as second-class citizens. It should be the reverse. They should be highly valued as inspiring people.”