Rabbi vs. Cantor

[chaucergrrl]

I was just wondering if anyone had contacted a synagogue that only has a cantor as their full-time leader (in other words, a small congregation) about conversion study/classes. Is that within their scope of work or is there a rule (spoken or otherwise) about only rabbis doing conversion work?

Comments

[chaucergrrl]

Actually, it's Conservative. We've had the conversion acceptance argument on this community more times than I care to count.

I've heard some very negative things about the online conversions.

[summerrose]

Yes, but we've endlessly rehashed the acceptance issue, to the point where bringing it up when the OP hadn't mentioned concerns about it reads to some people as trying to start an argument. We had a really acrimonious discussion about this around a month ago, so people are a bit touchy.

i have no knowledge of online conversions, ether empierical or anecdotal, but the idea is not one i would ever choose for myself.
Sure, but you're the one who suggested it.

[summerrose]

I imagine that the cantor would probably know about the nearest by bet din (or collection of rabbis who could be roped into a bet din, although I seem to recall that a bet din technically doesn't need to be composed of rabbis), and would know whether they could sponsor you to go before the bet din or whether a rabbi would need to do that. If the cantor is the only clergy at a synagogue, he/she is probably used to doing "rabbi things" and would know what she/he couldn't do. So, go ahead and call up the synagogue and ask to talk to the cantor.

I don't know whether that's helpful or not. Good luck, and definitely at least call and talk to the cantor!

[lunza]

My Conservative synagogue is between rabbis. We have a conversion class going nevertheless. The class is being led by a pararabbical (there's a Hebrew term I can never remember for this) under the supervision of a rabbi at another shul. When she figures we're ready to take the plunge, this rabbi will arrange the beit din and

Having said that, there's some undertones of controversy that hasn't quite surfaced about how valid this all is -- some people on the board have gone to some of the class members and said it was probably halachically invalid (although they haven't brought it up formally -- and I'm left to wonder, if they're so concerned why they haven't said anything formally about it). We may be getting a new rabbi soon, and hopefully that'll make it all moot.

[kriz1818]

The rule (even in Reform) seems to be that only a rabbi is properly qualified to evaluate a potential convert's knowledge and sincerity. That being said, Reform congregations don't require the Bet Din to be composed *entirely* of rabbis - the group can be filled out by knowledgeable and committed Jews.

Nor is a formal class strictly necessary, though it's usually the most convenient way for everyone to make sure the convert has covered all the bases. The cantor should be able to put you in touch with a rabbi who can help you put together a study program, and the synagogue probably has a useful library, too. If you are thinking Reform, you can always use the Union for Reform Judaism's resources as well.

[malkaesther]

For my conservative beit din there were 2 rabbis and a cantor. I'm sure it is possible that a cantor would work with you although they'd probably talk to a rabbi they respect to guide them in the process.