How do you talk to a rabbi about converting?

Answer 1

Telephone your local Orthodox rabbi, or visit the synagogue office, and ask:

"I have several questions about converting to Judaism. Would it be possible for us to meet for a short time in your office, some time at your convenience, to discuss my questions?"

Note:

Judaism does not proselytize or seek converts, but it does accept sincere converts. 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

After being acquainted with rabbis all my life, I completely understand them now. I know how they think, I know what makes them tick, and I'm going to use my secret, inside knowledge, based on thousands of years of their tradition, to answer your question. I wouldn't want this information to fall into the wrong hands, however, so I would really appreciate it if you don't go spreading it around. "How do you talk to a rabbi about converting ?" In order to answer your question, I'm going to make a few assumptions about details that aren't mentioned in your question. I'm going to assume that: A). You mean converting to Judaism. B). You're not Jewish now, and C). You don't know any rabbis. Here's what you want to do: 1). From the Yellow pages in your town or any large nearby town, or from Google, or Bing, or Yahoo, or from the Religion section of a newspaper, find the names and telephone numbers of a few rabbis. Ideally you'd like to find one rabbi who's affiliated with an Orthodox synagogue, one with a Conservative synagogue, and one with a Reform synagogue. Another great resource ... if you happen to live in or near a city with a university that offers courses in modern Judaism, or even in Comparative Religion ... is to find the phone number for the department at the university where those courses are taught, or for the individual who teaches one or more of the courses. 2). When you have some time, sit down with your list of phone numbers and call them, one at a time. Whenever you reach one if the individuals on your list ... or even his answering machine or voice-mail ... it's very important that you speak the magic words clearly and properly. I have spent years translating the holy words from the ancient Aramaic tongue, and I'm going to give them to you. Speak them correctly, and the doors will open for you. 3). You are to recite the following incantation. Change only the names ... use the actual names of yourself, your home town, and the individual to whom you are speaking: "Professor Shulman" or "Rabbi Jones", "My name is Jack Jackson, and I'm calling from Southtown. I have several questions about converting to Judaism. Would it be possible for us to meet for a short time in your office, some time at your convenience, to discuss my questions ?" Depending on the season of the year and the position of the moon, the incantation I have given you may produce unpredictable results. A breeze might blow across your notepad, birds may chirp outside, you may notice that you have begun to perspire, etc. Even more shocking, the individual to whom you are speaking may give you an appointment to meet him and discuss your questions, or he/she may even ask to hear your questions then and there, on the phone ... so you should have them handy when you make the phone call. I don't pass my secrets around lightly or often. This is powerful information, resting on thousands of years of cultural literature and philosophy. I wish you well as you go forth and apply it in your own life, and I would be grateful if after your bold experiment, you would leave a message on my Wiki.Answers message board and tell me all about the experience.