What I very much enjoyed about the Judaism by Choice program is that you can do it at your own pace. This is not only a program for someone who wants/thinks of conversion, this is a course that will make any Jew who thinks he knows it all learn something new. I cannot think of any different program I would rather go through than Rabbi Weinberg’s.
Judaism By Choice Classes
Interested in learning more about Judaism?
Judaism by Choice offers a comprehensive 19-session course designed for adult individuals as well as Jewish and inter-religious couples taught under the direction of Rabbi Neal Weinberg, a nationally recognized expert on intermarriage and conversion issues.
Our program includes students from all across the United States and around the world, from such places as Brazil, Germany, and Thailand.
Judaism by Choice offers classes for Jews and non-Jews, and those interested in conversion through the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements recognized by the State of Israel. You are welcome to enroll in any class, at any time.
Who are these classes for?
This program has something for everyone, including:
Non-Jews considering conversion recognized by the State of Israel through the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements.
Non-Jews who do not want to convert but want to learn because they are curious about Judaism or are in a relationship with a Jew.
Jews who want to learn more about their heritage in order to live a fuller and more meaningful Jewish life.
Meet our Faculty
Classes are taught in a caring, nurturing and entertaining way by Judaism by Choice founders, Rabbi Neal Weinberg and his wife Miri Weinberg.
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Rabbi Neal Weinberg
Rabbinic Director and Instructor
A native of West Los Angeles, Rabbi Weinberg earned his Bachelor Degree in Music from the University of Southern California School of Music and a Master’s Degree in the study of Religion from Temple University in Philadelphia. He has studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, American Jewish University and Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. Rabbi Weinberg was ordained as Rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and has been affiliated with Conservative Judaism’s Rabbinical Assembly since 1988. Rabbi Weinberg received Honorary Doctorates from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2003 and from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2005.
Rabbi Weinberg has long been active in Jewish outreach. He has had numerous articles published in local and national periodicals and has appeared on several television programs. Rabbi Weinberg is often invited to speak in the Jewish community about intermarriage and conversion issues.
He served as a pulpit rabbi at synagogues in Lancaster, California and Pacific Palisades, founded and was rabbi of the Malibu Jewish Center and Synagogue and served as rabbi at Temple Judea in Laguna Woods, California. For many years, he served on the Executive Committee of the Western Region of the Rabbinical Assembly. In 2005 Rabbi Weinberg and his wife Miri created Judaism by Choice to fill the unmet needs of Jews by Choice and those seeking the wisdom of Judaism.
Rabbi Weinberg and Miri have two grown sons.
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Miri Weinberg
Hebrew Instructor
Judaism by Choice has the support and recommendation of the following rabbis:
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Rabbi David Wolpe
Sinai Temple, Westwood (Conservative)
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Rabbi Nicole Guzik
Sinai Temple, Westwood (Conservative)
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Rabbi Jason Fruithandler
Sinai Temple, Westwood (Conservative)
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Rabbi Erez Sherman
Sinai Temple, Westwood (Conservative)
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Rabbi Adam Kligfeld
Temple Beth Am, West Los Angeles (Conservative)
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Rabbi Ari Lucas
Temple Beth Am, West Los Angeles (Conservative)
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Rabbi Ed Feinstein
Valley Beth Shalom, Encino (Conservative)
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Rabbi Joshua Hoffman
Valley Beth Shalom, Encino (Conservative)
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Rabbi Dan Shevitz
Mishkon Tephilo, Venice (Conservative)
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Rabbi Gabriel Botnick
Mishkon Tephilo, Venice (Conservative)
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Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Temple Israel of Hollywood (Reform)
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Rabbi Eli Herscher
Stephen S. Wise Temple (Reform)
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Rabbi Judith HaLevy
Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue (Reconstructionist)
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Rabbi Mordecai Finley
Ohr HaTorah, Mar Vista (Independent)
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Rabbi David Baron
Temple of the Arts, Beverly Hills (Independent)