FAQs

Those who are not Jewish, but have always been a little curious. Those who are not planning to convert but are sharing their lives with Jews. Those who are considering conversion to Judaism. Those who have been Jewish in their hearts for years and want to make it official. Hebrew school drop-outs. Rabbinical school wannabes. You.

Absolutely! Whether you were born Jewish but never quite learned what it was all about, you’re back after a long hiatus, or you’re just looking for a deeper understanding of your heritage, most of us could use a bit of a refresher. Jews from all walks of life enroll in the program: from people who had a Jewish day school education to those whose strongest connection was the annual box of matza on the kitchen counter.

We are an Intro to Judaism class, not just a conversion program. Some of our students are thinking about becoming Jewish. Some are just interested in learning more. Some are already Jewish. We are eager to meet you wherever you are on your spiritual journey. We will never pressure you to convert.

Of course! The Intro Program welcomes all those who want to learn and experience Judaism with us.

Completion of the Intro Program fulfills the basic learning requirements for conversion to Judaism. However, it is just the first step in the journey. Each candidate for conversion needs a sponsoring rabbi, who will work with you individually to determine what additional steps you will take to officially become a part of the Jewish People. Every person is different, and every conversion journey is unique.

* Please note that your sponsoring rabbi must be from the community in which you live. We believe that becoming Jewish is inseparable from becoming part of a Jewish community, so we are unable to provide “distance conversion.” We are happy to help you connect with a great sponsoring rabbi in your area. We love being “match-makers.”

Yes! For those planning to convert, think of the Intro Program as a personal concierge service for your whole journey into Judaism. We will help you find a local synagogue and sponsoring rabbi, and for those in Southern California, we will assist you in arranging your Mikvah (ritual pool) and Beit Din (rabbinic court) appointments. Finding your way into the Jewish community can feel overwhelming, but we’re always here to help.

Classes cover Judaism’s biggest and most inspiring ideas as well as the nuts and bolts of daily Jewish living. Over 18 weeks, we’ll cover history, holidays, practices, texts, and values, and we’ll tour a Mikvah (ritual bath), hear from a Holocaust survivor, hold a model Passover seder, and more. In addition, we’ll start with Aleph-Bet (Hebrew alphabet) and either teach you to read or help you brush up on your Hebrew skills.

YES! We strongly encourage couples to attend the classes together and share in this powerful, transformative experience. Most couples report that attending class together sparked inspiring and important conversations and brought them closer together.

The Intro Program is pluralistic and open to the whole community. Many of our students and alums consider themselves Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Orthodox, or “just Jewish.” Affiliate partners and institutions teach our curriculum from across the Jewish spectrum. As we see it, our job is to help people become the Jews that they were meant to be in the world rather than forcing them into any particular box or denomination.

We are proud that the Rabbinical Assembly (Conservative/Masorti) has officially adopted the Miller Introduction to Judaism Program as a highly recommended program for its communities. Read their announcement here.

Yes. You can complete the Intro Program at your own pace by taking more than one class per week. You can also take your time — your registration is good for a whole year.

Just remember, if you are converting there will likely be additional requirements from your sponsoring rabbi. Talk to them about what timeline they require for completion of the conversion process.

Almost everyone needs to miss a class from time to time. The Intro Program offers many simultaneous sessions all over Los Angeles. If you need to miss a class, it’s no problem to make it up at one of our other locations or in one of our other sessions. Just attend class at another time, get your instructor to sign a make-up slip, and you’re good to go.

If you converted outside of Israel through a Jewish community that is recognized by one of the major international Jewish movements (for example, the Rabbinical Council of America, the Rabbinical Assembly, the World Union for Progressive Judaism, etc.), your conversion will most likely be recognized for Aliyah*.

While Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform are accepted for Aliyah, the reality is very different. Under pressure from the Rabbinical Authority of Israel, the Israeli government is skeptical of conversions not performed within an Orthodox framework, especially if they were performed inside of Israel. As such, Reform and Conservative conversion cases often take months, if not years, to process and are more likely to result in a request for additional evidence or outright denial. This outcome can be challenged through administrative procedures or in court.

If you did not convert through a recognized Jewish community, your conversion may still enable you to make Aliyah. In this case, the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority will ask for information about the rabbi who supervised your conversion and the religious authority, if any, to which this rabbi belongs. You will be required to show nine months of participation in a recognized Jewish community post-conversion, and upon your move to Israel, you will receive a temporary residence visa. Your citizenship will be granted once you produce documents showing 21 months of post-conversion participation in a recognized Jewish community within Israel and abroad.

*Aliyah, or making Aliyah, in this context, means moving to Israel as a Jew.

Yes, our rabbis do officiate weddings (as well as other lifecycle events).  We would be glad to speak with you about celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. Please contact us at intro@aju.edu, to schedule a time to speak.

You can see all currently available courses and register for them here. Or you can call us at (310) 440-1250.

Our highly subsidized tuition is $475 for an individual and $650 for a couple, including digital course materials. If you don’t have enough for tuition right now, don’t panic. Through the generosity of various alumni and friends of the program, we make sure that no one is turned away. Call us to discuss payment plans and other options.

You can pay online at the outset of the class, or you can make payments. Class tuition, minus a small tuition deposit ($125/person), is refundable up to the fourth week of class. You read that right! You can try us out for the first month; it’s basically risk-free.

We offer payment plans for those who would prefer to pay over time. Scholarships are granted in certain cases only. Please email intro@aju.edu.

Any Jewish person of any age or gender identity can immerse at the AJU Community Mikvah. However, we require a guardian for those under 13.

We have facilitated immersions for babies as young as 2 weeks old, though we recommend that you consult with your pediatrician for babies under 8 weeks.

Contacts and glasses must be removed before immersing in the mikvah. If you need a prescription to read, please bring glasses with you. You can bring them into the mikvah, use them to read the blessings, and then place them on the side of the pool while immersing. If you wear contacts, we have contact cases and solution you can use to store them.

Yes. Regular nail polish is not allowed in the AJU Community Mikvah. We do have nail polish remover and cotton balls, but please try to prepare before arriving. Gel and acrylic nails are okay.

No, but please wipe them with nail polish remover before going into the mikvah. We will provide the supplies for this in our prep room.

At the AJU Community Mikvah, it is fine to immerse with a piercing, especially if it would cause you harm to remove it. In general, the goal is to remove anything that separates you from the water. However, according to Jewish law, if you cannot remove a particular piece of jewelry, you can immerse after rotating it under the water. Likewise, acrylic nails that have been on for more than 30 days are considered a part of your body and do not have to be removed.

Unfortunately, no. We book appointments for an hour because immersing in the mikvah is a beautiful ritual that deserves spaciousness. We would hate for you to be rushed through this sacred process when you will get the most out of it by being in true ceremony. Additionally, every person who immerses in the mikvah is a cost to our facility, and that is part of why we ask that each person immersing has their own appointment.

Please ask your rabbi for financial aid resources. If this is unavailable to you or you don’t have a relationship with a rabbi, please let us know, and we will find a way to accommodate you. 

While access to Jewish rituals should be free to all, the AJU Community Mikvah facility has costs associated with running it. Of the few open community mikva’ot in North America, all operate with fees. Our costs cover pool and facility maintenance, staff salaries, and general operational expenses. 

Yes. Those with disabilities can immerse in the AJU Community Mikvah. However, if they need assistance getting in and out of the mikvah or standing and immersing, they will need to bring a certified aide to assist them. Even if they cannot immerse fully or need to hold on to someone or something, they can still have a kosher immersion. The Mikvah staff are unavailable or certified as physical aides to people needing assistance. We do not have a Hoyer lift, so if they are in a wheelchair, we regret that we cannot accommodate them at this time.

No. At the AJU Community Mikvah, we believe everyone should maintain bodily autonomy. We will explain what preparation needs to happen before the mikvah, but you will take care of the rest. Additionally, there is nothing that you can do to ‘un-kosher’ the mikvah. If you feel you are ready to immerse, you are ready.

The AJU Community Mikvah is kosher, as certified by Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman z”l, a global authority recognized for his knowledge of halakha (Jewish law). As the only pluralistic mikvah in the Pacific Southwest, we welcome Jews of all denominations to come and immerse themselves.

We book up to 90 days in advance.

You can schedule a session at AJU Community Mikvah here.

One non-related Jewish adult witness is needed for the conversion of an adult, a niddah session, or a pre-wedding appointment for a woman (also considered niddah). Three non-related Jewish adult witnesses (usually three clergy) are needed for the conversion of a child. For all other types of appointments, a witness is not necessary, but it is recommended.

You can access your original confirmation email and click “change appointment” or call us at 310-440-1221.

You can email mikvah@aju.edu or call 310-440-1221.

No way! This space is for anyone curious about Judaism, whether or not you have Jewish roots. Maybe you’re in community or partnership with someone Jewish, or you simply want to learn more about Jewish history and traditions. No matter why you’re here, we’re glad to have you.

That’s totally okay, and it’s why we’re here! Judaism is full of questions and exploration—it’s designed for curiosity. Our resources can help you understand Jewish history, culture, and traditions. Feel free to take our survey so we can better answer your questions.

You don’t need to convert or formally “join” to explore or connect with Jewish history or culture. Judaism values exploration. We encourage you to engage in a way that feels right for you. This space is here for you to learn and connect without any pressure.

While Judaism is a religion, it’s also a culture, a peoplehood, a shared language, and a history. Jewish identity includes everything from foods and holidays to values, art, and storytelling passed down through generations. It’s a rich tapestry that doesn’t fit neatly into a single category. There are many paths to being Jewish!

No pressure here! You’re welcome to explore and learn as much as you’d like without the need to make any sort of commitment. Judaism has a long tradition of welcoming curiosity, and we’re here to provide resources for your journey, whatever that looks like.

Converting to Judaism is a beautiful and meaningful journey for many people. While the process varies by community or denomination, it typically involves learning about Jewish history, traditions, and practices alongside building relationships with the Jewish community.

If you’re ready to convert, we recommend taking one of our Miller Intro to Judaism classes. Read all about it here, and let us know if you have any questions about how to get started. Classes are available locally and online.