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The Paradoxes of Conversion

JL;DR SUMMARY Conversion to Judaism introduces complex identities and narratives, both for the converts and the Jewish community. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Hebrew NamesJewish IdentityConversionIntegrationModern ChallengesRuthChosennessCommunal ResponsibilityOutsiderGer

Places mentioned

United States
"I have heard anecdotally of similar trends in the Reform Movement."
United Kingdom
"Rabbi Lord Immanuel Jakobovits, former chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the British Commonwealth, particularly as it pertains to Jewish chosenness."

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Cairo Item ID 58988
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Retrieved 2025-08-11 05:31:45 UTC
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