r/JewsOfConscience • u/HomeboyCraig Reform • 10d ago

Discussion - Flaired Users Only Converting to Judaism while not believing in Zionism

Hi all, I’m sorry if this isn’t the right place to ask - but is it possible to convert to Judaism if you don’t support Israel? I was in the process of converting in October 2023, but I stopped attending the temple I originally went to when they said that Israeli lives were worth more than Palestinian lives. Since then, I haven’t actually been able to find a temple or shul in my area that works with converts and isn’t pro-Israel (I live in Portland, OR)

I asked this question on another Jewish subreddit and was called a Hamas supporter and the overwhelming majority of responses said that I can’t convert if I don’t support Israel, but I figured I’d ask here as well.

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u/[deleted] 10d ago

Converting here. 

There is more than one flavor of zionism. For instance, I do not think that Israel is doing a good thing right now, but being that there has been a Jewish presence in the area for thousands of years, I think the Jewish people have a right to be there as much as anyone else with a history. Nobody should hold any more sway over the land of Israel than anyone else. 

Does this make me a zionist? I don't think so. But if someone wants to label me as one because of my previous statements, by all means, just make sure you place me in a camp away from the Netenyahus of the world.

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u/[deleted] 10d ago

That being said, my rabbi and I meet once a week to study and when we talk about Israel she keeps commenting that this stuff over there needs to stop. This is coming from a rabbi who not only lived in Israel for a significant time, but also married an Israeli.