AboutRabbi 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!:-)
Question Shalom Rabbi,
My question is related to what the halacha says or does not say about a Jew going into a church. I am converting from Christianity to Judaism, and had once considered joining a mainstream local chorus that often performs in churches - not because the chorus itself is associated with one, but because that's where they get paid to go. My fiancee got upset because as he put it, "Jews can't go into churches", so he couldn't watch me perform. Now that I am converting, I am wondering how valid his statement is and why that mandate exists?
Answer Dear Jessica,
Thanks for writing and welcome into the Jewish People.
Somewhere in your education should have been included the "rule" that your Rabbi is your final authority. I wouldn't want to interfere, because there are Rabbis - mostly Orthodox in my experience although not all Orthodox Rabbis - who would forbid a Jew to enter a church.
It is possible that your fiance may need assurance in a meeting with both of you and your Rabbi that your willingness to continue to sing in church is a musical choice, not a faith choice - or a threat to your sincere conversion.
It is a question of course, "must" you sing when the chorus is hired to sing in a church, or would you forfeit your membership in the group? Would it adversely affect your relationship with the group members in other ways? Truly serious questions.
Finally, only as a point of information, there have been occasions when I have been in a church, as part of a community service or teaching in the course of their worship service. I didn't participate in statements or motions that would have compromised my faith and beliefs in a public fashion - as the entire community was attending.
I also didn't wish to withdraw lest that offend, and there is a Jewish principle that for the sake of communal peace, we don't offend our non-Jewish neighbors and friends.
Good luck and speak with your Rabbi - soon.
Best wishes in your spiritual journey and may you be blessed with years of loving, healthy and fulfilling companionship in marriage.
