Can anyone be a follower of judaism?

Answer 1

Judaism doesn't solicit, encourage or proselytize towards conversion. But for potential converts who are strongly and sincerely motivated, the mechanism certainly exists. For one thing, it requires a lot of education, so that there's no doubt the would-be convert will know what he/she is getting into.

Answer:

Conversion is a life-changing and very serious undertaking and a potential convert should think it over carefully. It must not be done on a whim or because of temporary circumstances. One who converts is expected (from then on) to live as a Jew.

The first step would be, without outside help or influence, to get to know about Judaism. The person who felt interested should hang around a Jewish community in order to get a sense of whether Jews and Judaism as it is actually lived appeal to him/her. Also to do some reading. English-language books on Jewish thought and life can be found in Hebrew bookstores.

After that, the interested person would approach a Rabbi and ask about enrolling in a relevant formal course of study. This can last for several years and is an integral part of the process, since he/she will have to actually practice the religion.

Once that is completed, the convert immerses in a mikveh (ritual immersion); and, for uncircumcised males, undergoes circumcision.

Answer 2

No,

His/her mother should be Jewish to be a follower of Judaism.

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Anyone can convert to Judaism if they weren't born to a Jewish woman.

Answer 3

Conversion to Judaism is not easy or fast, but any person willing to take the time to learn the obligations that go with membership in the Jewish community and sincerely accept those obligations can convert. The process involves a period of study under rabbinical supervision, followed by examination before a rabbinical court (a beit din). If you are a man, circumcision is traditionally part of the process, and all converts traditionally dunk in a ritual bath (a mikvah) to finalize the conversion. It is not uncommon for the period of study to last on the order of a year, although the details vary from one community to another. Larger communities may have a formal curriculum an regular classes, while in smaller communities, study is one-on-one with the rabbi and things are very much customized to the individual.