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Conversion to Judaism in South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisor Lubbe, G. J. A.
dc.contributor.author Zekry, Pinchas en
dc.date.accessioned 2015-01-23T04:24:32Z
dc.date.available 2015-01-23T04:24:32Z
dc.date.issued 1998-12 en
dc.identifier.citation Zekry, Pinchas (1998) Conversion to Judaism in South Africa, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17872> en
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/17872
dc.description.abstract Amidst the decisive events of the 20th century - the Holocaust and the rebirth of the Jewish homeland - which impacted heavily on Jewish attitudes, emerged a broadening of religious doctrines creating diversity within Judaism. Previous insularist tendencies were replaced by revised outlooks on proselytisation, blending with the unique characteristics of South African Jewry. Clearly, local Jewish society and the Rabbinate have placed these updated perceptions high on its agenda. The inevitable mixed reactions have been reviewed in this work, which looks at the long road travelled by the convert from the viewpoint of current motivations, acceptance by the community and post conversion levels of observance. My own theory is a model encompassing the respective components of local proselytism looking at categories of converts, their motives, demands to be met and obstacles. To comprehend the contemporary position, a historical survey delved into the issue from its Biblical origins via the influences of centuries, reaching the South African scene. This inquiry investigated the development of conversion policies drawn from an evolvement of energetic Halakhic debate. These attitudes manifest themselves in archival sources from 1924, of which my analysis is the first of its kind. From these records, together with those of my own community and data available from the Cape Beth Din, the interpretative statistics thus compiled identified characteristics and motivations of applicants and procedural mechanics. This work proceeded a step further. Focus on the Durban model provided an ideal observation point for the post conversion stages. Personal knowledge of the candidates gained from my service to Durban Jewry enabled me to assess their respective adherences and absorption into the community. Furthermore, responses to a questionnaire sent to the local Jewry and interviews revealed attitudes both of Jews by birth and the converts themselves whilst added perceptions were obtained from a questionnaire sent to the Rabbis of South Africa. In the final chapter I submitted proposals and recommendations, some of which are radical. Covering the entire process of conversion this model attempts to address the future of conversions in South Africa as this is expected to remain a pivotal issue of immense momentum.
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (299 leaves) en
dc.language.iso en
dc.subject Jewish Orthodox conversion
dc.subject South African Jewry
dc.subject Durban Jewry
dc.subject Religious transformation
dc.subject Post conversion dynamics
dc.subject Development of Jewish proselytisation
dc.subject Socio-demographic statistics on conversion
dc.subject Beth Din of Johannesburg
dc.subject External perception of the convert
dc.subject Conversion programmes
dc.subject Theory of conversion
dc.subject Conversion Model - Ulpan
dc.subject.ddc 296.7140968 en
dc.subject.lcsh Proselytes and proselyting, Jewish en
dc.subject.lcsh Proselytes and proselyting en
dc.subject.lcsh Orthodox Judaism -- South Africa
dc.subject.lcsh Judaism -- South Africa
dc.subject.lcsh Proselytes and proselyting, Jewish -- Converts from Christianity
dc.title Conversion to Judaism in South Africa en
dc.type Thesis
dc.description.department Religious Studies and Arabic
dc.description.degree D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies) en


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