Considering conversion to Judaism, but the family is devout anti-Semites. What am I t

Hi,

For the last 8 years I have been looking into a conversion to Judaism (Orthodox) but my entire family, especially my sister and her boyfriend (Muslim), seem to be vehemently opposed to my erstwhile efforts. Likely my sister's opposition stems from her boyfriend's upbringing in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and my family's reaction is because they're typical Eastern Europeans -- Jews did this, Jews did that. My grandmother has some little anecdote of her personal hatred for Jews, that she had to (on several occasions, no less, Lil) turn the cellar's light switch on when her Jewish landlords couldn't because of the Sabbath.

What should I do? Should I continue to seek conversion when they are dead-set at dissuading me?

Thanks,

Chuck

Its your life, they made their choices, you have the right to make yours. Maybe it means going your own way, but its well worth it, be all you can be, and they need to grow out of their bigotry, if they claim to be Muslims and Christians, why don't they act like they are? You have your own right, as your own spiritual being to make your own choices. Stand up for yourself, put yourself first. Get your priorities straight, and hopefully they will respect you for it, if they don't then let them go their own way and separate yourself from them. I would never let anyone tell me what faith to be in, not my mother, or my father, or my sister, brother, friend ...anyone.

Move to another city and do as your heart tells you.

you should not stay in that situation and try to convert though.

i could not help but think, how would your grandmother feel if her landlord had done something 'really, really bad' like put her and all of her relatives on a train to Treblinka.

At the end of the day, no one can make this decision for you. Essentially you have to ask yourself what is more important to you: Converting to a religion because you believe it is right, or being comfortable with your family.

As part of this, consider the following factors:
1) Judaism does not require people to be Jewish to be righteous. anyone who follows the 7 Noachide laws is considered to be righteous.
2) If you did convert- how likely old it be that your family would rethink their negative stereotypes? Sometimes making the unfamiliar and hated familiar, removes the hatred.
3) If you did convert, and your family remained as prejudiced as before- how would you handle it? In the worst case scenario where they cut you out of their lives? How would you react? if your answer is that you would abandon Judaism in order to remain close to them- do NOT convert! Why? Simple- at the moment if you are not Jewish you can be righteous without being Jewish. Once you convert there is no going back, and if you fail to follow through you will be punished for it!