Eternal Jewish Family Seminars

In the first seminar in 2009, the series returns to the scenic Galilee, the scene of the first successful seminar. The EJF Israeli seminars have made an important contribution to many intermarried couples who wish to live in Israel as fully committed Jews.

Nir Ezion, a resort hotel just outside of Haifa with a magnificent view of the Mediterranean coast was the scene of the 2nd seminar for intermarried couples on July 27-29th. For the two dozen couples, the seminar was a continuation of the process of obtaining a universally accepted conversion that was already in process with the rabbonim they were working with who were present at the seminar. Sponsored by the .Eternal Jewish Family, the seminar consists of presentations of leading lecturers who integrate the importance of halachically recognized conversions with the Jewish experience. Many of the couples had already undergone a fictious conversion and were in the process of obtaining a geyrus that was universally recognized. Several of the spouses were Russian immigrants who were now opting for a halachic conversion.

This seminar was the first in the ongoing series for couples interested in a universally accepted conversion that took place across the border. The third in a series of seminars took place May 11-13, 2008 in Montreal. Like the previous seminars, the couples must be referred by the rabbonim who are working on their giyur. The rabbonim are invited to attend the seminar as well.

More than 30 intermarried Israeli couples gathered at Kibbutz Lavie in the Galilee for the first EJF seminar outside of North America on January 2-4.

For two days the couples listened to some of the most prominent kiruv lecturers in Israel, led by Rabbi Mordechai Neugroschel, noted lecturer and author. At times the couples were divided into separate sessions for men and women. Some of the non-Jewish women were already in modest clothing and head covering, while men joined in the daily tefillos of the rabbonim without wearing a taalis or tefilin in preparation for the day when they would be counted as part of a minyan.

Nearly 30% of the couples were Russian immigrants who underwent a problematic conversion and now were committed to pursue a halachic geyrus in accordance with the poskim of Torah authorities. They were accompanied by the rabbonim who are working with them to complete their geyrus.

The second in a series of seminars for intermarried couples, the positive feedback from the first successful seminar carried over into the Arizona conference. This seminar included an actual wedding of a couple that had completed the process after Oxnard and were now prepared to marry in accordance with the principles of the Torah.

This was the first in a series of seminars for intermarried couples in the process of completing a universally accepted conversion. This seminar was held in the Herzog Winery, the only kosher winery in the US. 35 couples participated in this 2-days seminar with 70% proceeding towards conversion and a life as Orthodox Jewish families.