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About Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Expertise
Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history, philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.

Experience
I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)

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Conservative Judaism - Jews in churches

Expert: Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner - 10/30/2009

Question
Is there a traditional prohibition against Jews setting foot into churches, not to pray, just to view the art or architecture? If yes, why? Is this prohibition still observed? Does it extend to walking past a church on a street? Thank you.

Answer
Dear Ellis,

Thank you for writing.

Yes, there are some Rabbis and movements who might say that there is a prohibition against entering a church, even for art history. But they also say that it is prohibited to enter a non-Orthodox synagogue, and certainly not to ever join in prayer or celebration in a non-Orthodox place of worship.

I can only speculate why they hold such a position, and rather than do so, I would urge you to contact an Orthodox Rabbi for his answers) and explanation(s).

I, speaking for myself and as a Conservative Rabbi for more than 35 years, believe that you certainly can enter a church for the reasons you offer. I also have participated in communal services, for example for Thanksgiving, for Holocaust commemoration or for reaction to 9/11. But my Christian colleagues have always been sensitive to our Jewish participation, and there is a minimum of Christian references if not entirely "neutral."

Best wishes for Shabbat

Rabbi Dov

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