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{{Judaism}} {{Judaism}}


This article endeavours to list some notable people who have converted, or are believed to have converted, to Judaism. Their notability is based either on outside endeavors for otherwise famous people, or on circumstances which would make their conversion itself to be notable -- such as professional clergy from other religions. The article does not differentiate between the different branches of Judaism. See also ] on issues related to the acceptance of conversions throughout the Jewish community. This article list people who have converted to Judaism and have a Misplaced Pages article about them. The article does not differentiate between the different branches of Judaism. See also ] on issues related to the acceptance of conversions throughout the Jewish community.


(A number of prominent figures, such as ], have recently become followers of "new age" version of ], derived from the body of Jewish ] teaching also called Kabbalah, but do not consider themselves – and are not considered – Jewish.) (A number of prominent figures, such as ], have recently become followers of "new age" version of ], derived from the body of Jewish ] teaching also called Kabbalah, but do not consider themselves – and are not considered – Jewish.)


== List of converts to Judaism from Christianity == == List of converts to Judaism from Christianity ==
Although some people notable for arts or sciences have happened to convert to Judaism, there is a small group of people who are notable ''because'' they have converted to Judaism: professional clergy from other religions. In some cases conversion meant persecution or even death. In other cases conversion simply meant a change in career.


=== Christian Proselyte Communities === === Christian Proselyte Communities ===
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* ] <ref></ref> * ] <ref></ref>
* ] * ]

* ] <ref></ref>


=== Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians === === Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians ===
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* ], German theologian<ref> </ref> "Johann Peter Spaeth (about 1642-1701), author of an attack on Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-politicus, finally became a Jewish convert, called himself "Moses Germanus," and was even circumcised a few years before his death in 1697" * ], German theologian<ref> </ref> "Johann Peter Spaeth (about 1642-1701), author of an attack on Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-politicus, finally became a Jewish convert, called himself "Moses Germanus," and was even circumcised a few years before his death in 1697"
*Andrew/Andreas, the ], a city in Southern Italy, declared himself a Jew upon a journey to Constantinople in 1066 and subsequentally fled to Egypt.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=RB5aWgr7l-gC&pg=PA298&lpg=PA298&dq=1066+andrew+the+archbishop+of+bari+judaism&source=web&ots=gaMjqgYwb3&sig=QwULvssrSZQTTiGDXErqzaA_bz4</ref><ref name="cv"></ref><ref name="iii"/> *Andrew/Andreas, the ], a city in Southern Italy, declared himself a Jew upon a journey to Constantinople in 1066 and subsequentally fled to Egypt.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=RB5aWgr7l-gC&pg=PA298&lpg=PA298&dq=1066+andrew+the+archbishop+of+bari+judaism&source=web&ots=gaMjqgYwb3&sig=QwULvssrSZQTTiGDXErqzaA_bz4</ref><ref name="cv"></ref><ref name="iii"/>
* ], a cleric who worked for Duke ], the nephew of Emperor Conrad II, accepted Judaism sometime about 1005. There is written evidence that Wecelin published a brief tract against Christianity. Wecelin, who may have fled to Egypt, is only one of many 11th century converts described in the ].<ref name="cv"/>
* ], (a Franciscan friar who had embraced Judaism, and was burned alive on the ].)<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.morasha.it/ebrei_italia/ebrei_italia04.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCornelio%2Bof%2BMontalcino%26hl%3Den</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> * ], (a Franciscan friar who had embraced Judaism, and was burned alive on the ].)<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref>http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.morasha.it/ebrei_italia/ebrei_italia04.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCornelio%2Bof%2BMontalcino%26hl%3Den</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref>
* Dionis (former priest) <ref name=autogenerated1 />
* ], 16th to 17th century Fransiscan friar.<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=Xt7f6WBEP0EC&pg=PA76&dq=Diego+de+assumpcao The Myth of the Jewish Race page 76</ref>
==== Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians (1970s to present)==== ==== Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians (1970s to present)====
* ] an ex-Methodist pastor; he converted after studying the history of the holocaust in 1978 to Orthodox Judaism. * ] an ex-Methodist pastor; he converted after studying the history of the holocaust in 1978 to Orthodox Judaism.
* ], former ] minister from Finland and Australia. Along with him, his wife Ruth (formerly Runa), two adult daughters, two teenage daughters, and a former son-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism. <ref></ref><ref></ref> * ], former ] minister from Finland and Australia. Along with him, his wife Ruth (formerly Runa), two adult daughters, two teenage daughters, and a former son-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism. <ref></ref><ref></ref>
* ], expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls and former Catholic priest, he reverted to Judaism. <ref></ref> * ], expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls and former Catholic priest, he reverted to Judaism. <ref></ref>
* ], a nun converted to Orthodox Judaism in 1980.<ref>http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=21</ref>
* ], a former Roman Catholic priest, he converted in 1972 to Orthodox Judaism <ref> , ,
and </ref>
* ], a former Lutheran pastor, he converted to Orthodox Judaism in 1988.<ref>http://www.derechemet.org/english/cgi-bin/show.cgi?27&luth http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/8718/edition_id/165/format/html/displaystory.html http://www.youngisrael.org/speakers/hove.htm http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=2 http://www.torahjudaism.org/?p=113</ref>
* ], Former Christian Minister from Oklahoma (who was born Roman Catholic).<ref></ref>
* ], a former Pentecostal Pastor converted to Judaism in 1987<ref>http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=51</ref>
* ], an ex-Baptist minister, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref>
* former Pentecostal minister and missionary in Israel, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref> He served on staff with ] before moving to the East Coast.
* ], a former female evangelical minister and daughter of a Pentecostal preacher. She converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref> * ], a former female evangelical minister and daughter of a Pentecostal preacher. She converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref>
* ], a former monk of a Catholic monastery in South America, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref>
* ], a former catholic priest, he converted to Orthodox Judaism. <ref></ref>
* ], a former American Baptist Minister, she converted to Judaism.<ref></ref>
* ], a former Baptist minister, his mother-in-law, wife and their two adult sons, grandchildren, daughter-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref>http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=7</ref> * ], a former Baptist minister, his mother-in-law, wife and their two adult sons, grandchildren, daughter-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref>http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=7</ref>
* ] served as a Christian minister in the African American community both in Chicago and Los Angeles for fourteen years. She left that world in 1996 to fulfill her spiritual yearnings and become an Orthodox Jew. <ref></ref> * ] served as a Christian minister in the African American community both in Chicago and Los Angeles for fourteen years. She left that world in 1996 to fulfill her spiritual yearnings and become an Orthodox Jew. <ref></ref>
* ], a former Protestant Minister of Japan, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref>
* ], a former Methodist minister, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref><ref></ref>
* ] Former Presbyterian lay minister David Weiss (born Jewish) returned to Judaism and is now a successful writer living in Los Angeles. <ref>http://www.ikehillah.org/shrekonjudaism1/</ref> * ] Former Presbyterian lay minister David Weiss (born Jewish) returned to Judaism and is now a successful writer living in Los Angeles. <ref>http://www.ikehillah.org/shrekonjudaism1/</ref>
* ], a former Anglican and Roman Catholic priest, he converted to Orthodox Judaism.<ref></ref><ref>http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20073218,00.html</ref>
* ], a former South Florida-based former Pentecostal minister is now a ]<ref>http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=49</ref>
* ] Former Catholic Deacon to Reform Judaism
* ], a former minister <ref></ref>
*], a former Domican nun, she converted to Judaism in 1989<ref></ref>
*], a former evangelical minister, he converted to Judaism and became a world-renowned Biblical scholar<ref>Moment Magazine 21:1 (Feb 28, 1996), pg. 32ff.</ref> *], a former evangelical minister, he converted to Judaism and became a world-renowned Biblical scholar<ref>Moment Magazine 21:1 (Feb 28, 1996), pg. 32ff.</ref>
*], former Pentecostal minister<ref>http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/126736</ref><ref>http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2009/02/07/faith/4334541.txt</ref>
*], formerly known as Bert Woudwijk, a Messianic pastor from Holland<ref>http://www.shalomgemeente.nl/Joods.htm</ref>
*], former Seventh Day Adventist preacher <ref></ref>
*], former Worldwide Church of God pastor <ref>http://www.njjewishnews.com/njjn.com/122508/njBlackAndJewish.html</ref>
*], former Minister and missionary<ref>The Jewish People's Almanac</ref>
*], former Pentecostal missionary, now Orthodox Jew and head of counter-missionary organization
*], a former evangelical minister in Singapore, is moving towards Judaism with members of his congregation
*], former messianic Jewish missionary
*], a former evangelical minister, converted with 100 members of his Houston church
*], former editor of Messianic Times, returned to Judaism
*], former Christian minister
*], former Catholic Priest
*], former Pentecostal minister *], former Pentecostal minister
*], a former messianic Jewish leader
*], a former Indian preacher <ref>http://www.kulanu.org/india/telugu_jews.php</ref>
*], biblical scholar, author and educator
*], former Lutheran minister <ref>http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=3241</ref>
*], former Methodist minister <ref> THE JEWISH NEWS of Detroit, March 5, 2004 p.41</ref>
*], was raised Catholic, later became a Messianic cleric in Nigeria, and then later left that Christian sect to convert to Judaism.<ref>http://www.forward.com/articles/14317/</ref>


=== Of Jewish descent === === Of Jewish descent ===
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* ], an American Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, and entrepreneur * ], an American Emmy Award-winning actress, singer, and entrepreneur
* ], French comedian<ref> which states "as though his conversion to Judaism in 2002 had paradoxically made him closer to his Pas-de-Calais roots".</ref> * ], French comedian<ref> which states "as though his conversion to Judaism in 2002 had paradoxically made him closer to his Pas-de-Calais roots".</ref>
* ], international pop artist<ref> Contemplating the Infinate, Jewish art at Paulina Miller Gallery</ref>
* ], Canadian poet<ref> which states "Brewster is fascinated with her newly-adopted faith of Judaism—poems about Jewish holy days and heritage are sprinkled throughout"</ref> * ], Canadian poet<ref> which states "Brewster is fascinated with her newly-adopted faith of Judaism—poems about Jewish holy days and heritage are sprinkled throughout"</ref>
* ], actress<ref>"May Britt Joins Jewish Faith", ''The New York Times'', 18 October 1960, p. 46</ref> * ], actress<ref>"May Britt Joins Jewish Faith", ''The New York Times'', 18 October 1960, p. 46</ref>
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*], author (ex-Baptist)<ref></ref> *], author (ex-Baptist)<ref></ref>
* ], former Protestant Christian, linguist and a ] royal, now a black ] ].<ref></ref><ref>http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s2269904.htm</ref> * ], former Protestant Christian, linguist and a ] royal, now a black ] ].<ref></ref><ref>http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s2269904.htm</ref>
* ], French philosopher and cognitive scientist.
* ], served as a professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas <ref>http://www.swedishenglishtranslation.com/jwriting/gustafsson-b.htm</ref> * ], served as a professor of Philosophy at the University of Texas <ref>http://www.swedishenglishtranslation.com/jwriting/gustafsson-b.htm</ref>
* ] (* ]) American television personality, long-time host of the entertainment program Entertainment ''Tonight''<ref>'''Hart''' - "Thought there are no Jewish Republicans in show biz? Well, Bush contributors include... host Mary Hart, who’s a convert to Judaism..."</ref> * ] (* ]) American television personality, long-time host of the entertainment program Entertainment ''Tonight''<ref>'''Hart''' - "Thought there are no Jewish Republicans in show biz? Well, Bush contributors include... host Mary Hart, who’s a convert to Judaism..."</ref>
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* ], actress (ex-Christian Scientist)<ref></ref> * ], actress (ex-Christian Scientist)<ref></ref>
* ], novelist<ref>'']'' Feb 7, 2005; online here accessed 11 Dec 2006</ref> * ], novelist<ref>'']'' Feb 7, 2005; online here accessed 11 Dec 2006</ref>
* ] <ref name="nndb"/>
*] is a ]-born ] artist and designer best known for her work with '']'', a showcase publication for cutting edge comic art, and as art editor of '']'', a position she has held since 1993. *] is a ]-born ] artist and designer best known for her work with '']'', a showcase publication for cutting edge comic art, and as art editor of '']'', a position she has held since 1993.
* ], an American artist best known for his comic book work for industry leaders ] and ] * ], an American artist best known for his comic book work for industry leaders ] and ]
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* ], American author. (ex-Roman Catholic)<ref> "I am a Jew by choice and Italian by heritage. Shortly after I converted to Judaism, I came across a book by Alexander Stille called Benevolence and Betrayal: Five Italian Jewish Families Under Fascism."</ref> * ], American author. (ex-Roman Catholic)<ref> "I am a Jew by choice and Italian by heritage. Shortly after I converted to Judaism, I came across a book by Alexander Stille called Benevolence and Betrayal: Five Italian Jewish Families Under Fascism."</ref>
* ], an American actress * ], an American actress
* ], philosopher <ref name="nndb"/>
* ], actress * ], actress
* ], a Belizean–American rapper <ref>http://57thave.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/shyne-to-be-released-in-april/</ref> * ], a Belizean–American rapper <ref>http://57thave.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/shyne-to-be-released-in-april/</ref>
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===From ]=== ===From ]===
*], Israeli singer converted to Orthodox Judaism *], Israeli singer converted to Orthodox Judaism

===From Buddhism===
*], a former Secular Jew, who was also a Buddhist Priest and Monk underwent the act of repentance and is now a Haredi rabbi.<ref></ref>


===From ]=== ===From ]===
* ] - Iranian pilot.<ref></ref> * ] - Iranian pilot.<ref></ref>
*], former Lebanese Shiite, now an orthodox Jew



===From ]=== ===From ]===

Revision as of 23:33, 29 March 2009

Part of a series on
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Related topics

This article list people who have converted to Judaism and have a Misplaced Pages article about them. The article does not differentiate between the different branches of Judaism. See also Who is a Jew? on issues related to the acceptance of conversions throughout the Jewish community.

(A number of prominent figures, such as Madonna, have recently become followers of "new age" version of Kabbalah, derived from the body of Jewish mystical teaching also called Kabbalah, but do not consider themselves – and are not considered – Jewish.)

List of converts to Judaism from Christianity

Christian Proselyte Communities


Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians

Former Christian clergy and Christian theologians (1970s to present)

  • Asher Wade an ex-Methodist pastor; he converted after studying the history of the holocaust in 1978 to Orthodox Judaism. Official Website
  • Shlomo Ben Avraham "Ole" Brunell, former Lutheran minister from Finland and Australia. Along with him, his wife Ruth (formerly Runa), two adult daughters, two teenage daughters, and a former son-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism. Official book
  • Geza Vermes, expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls and former Catholic priest, he reverted to Judaism.
  • Tonica Marlow, a former female evangelical minister and daughter of a Pentecostal preacher. She converted to Orthodox Judaism.Official book
  • Michael Flanagan, a former Baptist minister, his mother-in-law, wife and their two adult sons, grandchildren, daughter-in-law also converted to Orthodox Judaism.
  • Ahuva Gray served as a Christian minister in the African American community both in Chicago and Los Angeles for fourteen years. She left that world in 1996 to fulfill her spiritual yearnings and become an Orthodox Jew.Official Website Official book
  • David N. Weiss Former Presbyterian lay minister David Weiss (born Jewish) returned to Judaism and is now a successful writer living in Los Angeles.
  • William G. Dever, a former evangelical minister, he converted to Judaism and became a world-renowned Biblical scholar
  • Skipp Porteous, former Pentecostal minister

Of Jewish descent

This section is for people who had Jewish ancestry though not matrilineally as is required by Jewish law to be considered Jewish, and so converted to Judaism, to be recognized as Jews.

Other Christians who converted to Judaism

List of converts to Judaism not from Christianity

From Atheism or Agnosticism

  • Christian B. Anfinsen, Nobel prize-winning chemist (Orthodox Judaism)
  • Will Herberg, known as a social philosopher and sociologist of religion, as well as a Jewish theologian, he is also former atheist and Marxist of Jewish ancestry who was raised atheist
  • Benny Lévy - Philosopher and last personal secretary of Jean-Paul Sartre
  • Suzy Menkes, fashion journalist
  • Hilary Putnam - Philosopher raised in a Jewish-atheist home
  • Eliyahu Rips - he is a member of the Department of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Rips received the Erdős prize from the Israel Mathematical Society in 1979 and was a sectional speaker at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 1994. He embraced Orthodox Judaism.
  • Mary Doria Russell
  • Mare Winningham

From Black Hebrew Israelitism

From Islam

From Paganism

From Samaritanism

From Shinto

Undetermined former religion

Converts who later left the faith or were expelled

See also

References

  1. A History of the Abuyudaya Jews of Uganda
  2. BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Rabbi backs India's 'lost Jews'
  3. Kulanu: Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh, South India
  4. Converting Inca Indians in Peru
  5. Judaism - Reflections on Giur
  6. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=527&letter=A&search=Abraham%20the%20Monk
  7. Jewish Encyclopedia
  8. ^ The University of Chicago Magazine: August 2004, [http://books.google.com/books?id=SFazbG_b6ysC&pg=PT149&dq=catholic+priest+convert+judaism&ei=-a5LR5LpKI706gLG0uTzBg&sig=X-fhSpE-lO eivXyAWeFf5xMfMSs], University of Calgary, The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed 2001), art. Obadiah the Proselyte
  9. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?letter=R&artid=159
  10. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1608&letter=A&search=Nicolas%20Antoine
  11. JewishEncyclopedia.com - ALEKSEI:
  12. JewishEncyclopedia.com - DANIELILLO OF LEGHORN
  13. JewishEncyclopedia.com - CARRASCO
  14. Commentary Magazine
  15. http://books.google.com/books?id=RB5aWgr7l-gC&pg=PA298&lpg=PA298&dq=1066+andrew+the+archbishop+of+bari+judaism&source=web&ots=gaMjqgYwb3&sig=QwULvssrSZQTTiGDXErqzaA_bz4
  16. Part Two
  17. The Jewish Community of Rome
  18. This Month in Jewish History: September
  19. Jewish History 1550 - 1559
  20. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&u=http://www.morasha.it/ebrei_italia/ebrei_italia04.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=7&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DCornelio%2Bof%2BMontalcino%26hl%3Den
  21. Jewish Expulsions
  22. Same day any year, any millenium Any Yom Hashoah - Villagers with Torches
  23. JewishEncyclopedia.com - ROME:
  24. Jerusalem Post
  25. Amazon.com: Strangers No More: One Family's Exceptional Journey from Christianity to Judaism: Books: Shlomo Ben Avraham Brunell
  26. Buy.com - Providential Accidents: An Autobiography : Geza Vermes : ISBN 9780847693405
  27. Amazon.com: To Play With Fire: One Woman's Remarkable Odyssey: Books: Tova Mordechai
  28. http://www.bejewish.org/index.php?option=com_jd-wp&Itemid=31&p=7
  29. Biography
  30. http://www.ikehillah.org/shrekonjudaism1/
  31. Moment Magazine 21:1 (Feb 28, 1996), pg. 32ff.
  32. The movie Shalom y'all
  33. Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, art. Aquila of Sinope
  34. IMDB
  35. Le Figaro Magazine which states "as though his conversion to Judaism in 2002 had paradoxically made him closer to his Pas-de-Calais roots".
  36. Arc Poetry review of "Jacob's Dream" which states "Brewster is fascinated with her newly-adopted faith of Judaism—poems about Jewish holy days and heritage are sprinkled throughout"
  37. "May Britt Joins Jewish Faith", The New York Times, 18 October 1960, p. 46
  38. Q&A with Sarah Brown "Judaism, for me, is more a spiritual thing than a religion, but I feel that I have a Jewish soul. I didn't convert because of my marriage; I just always felt like there was a Jewish soul inside of me just dying to get out."
  39. New York Times
  40. Chicago Sun Times via "Find Articles.": Said of her conversion "I needed to know where God was, and I went back to the basics."
  41. EsMas.com
  42. ^ http://www.nndb.com/event/931/000084679/
  43. http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/happy-birthday/2008/Aug/Connie-Chung.html
  44. Interview with Croce's Cousin http://www.netporch.com/sa/
  45. Jewish Virtual Library
  46. Shanks, Hershel. "Losing Faith: How Scholarship Affects Scholars". Biblical Archaeology Review, March/April 2007.
  47. A Publishers Weekly review of Jacqueline Du Pre: A Biography by Carol Easton states she was "the daughter of anti-Semitic parents who herself converted to Judaism and at age 21 married Jewish pianist-conductor Daniel Barenboim."
  49. Gensler, Howard (2006-11-27). "'Borat' to wed Aussie actress Isla Fisher". Retrieved 2006-11-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  50. http://www.sofeminine.co.uk/w/star/n485343/news/Isla-Fisher-s-wife-wish.html
  51. Luke Ford, XXX-Communicated: A Rebel Without a Shul. iUniverse, Inc., 2004. ISBN 0-595-66441-5
  52. Aaron Freeman's website
  53. http://adrianasassoon.wordpress.com/category/style/
  54. http://www.bittenandbound.com/2008/09/15/soleil-moon-frye-aka-punky-brewster-photos-bio/
  55. Jewish Encyclopedia
  56. Convert Authors
  57. Natan Gamedze's website
  58. http://www.abc.net.au/compass/s2269904.htm
  59. http://www.swedishenglishtranslation.com/jwriting/gustafsson-b.htm
  60. Hart - "Thought there are no Jewish Republicans in show biz? Well, Bush contributors include... host Mary Hart, who’s a convert to Judaism..."
  61. Her website
  62. http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=baseball&ID=143
  63. The Big Book of Jewish Sports People by Peter Horvitz page 53
  64. IMDB
  65. El Mundo
  66. Times Online interview: She says in the interview "I converted to Judaism in 1983. I am not a deeply religious person but it is a vital part of my life. It shapes my beliefs, and how I look at the world."
  67. Seattle Times
  68. [http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:bJ5arSMnNPAJ:www.bethisrael-om.org/pdf/bignews2.pdf+%22Jamaica+Kincaid%22+conversion+ judaism+-wikipedia&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=25 Beth Israel]
  69. Julis Lester's Home Page
  70. Baseball Almanac.com
  71. O'Toole, Lesley (2006-12-22). "Ben Stiller : 'Doing comedy is scary'". The Independent. Retrieved 2006-12-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  72. Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco states of her marriage, "Adah was not at all interested in home or family; in fact, the only thing she shared sincerely with him was his religion–she adopted the Jewish faith and remained steadfast in it until her death."
  73. "BBC On this Day"
  74. The Independent Feb 7, 2005; online here Findarticles accessed 11 Dec 2006
  75. The Nation
  77. Interview at Book Browse "I am a Jew by choice and Italian by heritage. Shortly after I converted to Judaism, I came across a book by Alexander Stille called Benevolence and Betrayal: Five Italian Jewish Families Under Fascism."
  78. http://57thave.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/shyne-to-be-released-in-april/
  79. http://www.jewishsf.com/content/2-0-/module/displaystory/story_id/20338/edition_id/415/format/html/displaystory.html
  80. New York Times book review
  81. Stilley - "...the former model, raised a Christian in Conway, S.C., recently announced that she is converting to Judaism. Even her rabbi is befuddled.... "The first thing that attracted me to Judaism was the undeniable family strength that has held Jewish people and culture together for 3,000 years. . . Jews, whether religious or not, know where they have come from and what they would wish for their future, and this certainty is based on fact, not faith.... "I will not be a perfect Jew, nor will Judaism make me perfect. But I know that Judaism will give me faith, support, knowledge, and history. I am not Jewish because I choose to be. I am Jewish because there is no other choice for me.""
  82. In her book Elizabeth Takes Off, Taylor writes, " had absolutely nothing to do with my past marriage to Mike or my upcoming marriage to Eddie Fisher, both of whom were Jewish. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time."
  83. Profile at Jewishsports.com
  84. Jewish Bulletin of Northern California:On being asked about Christmas, because of the Santa Claus related The Polar Express, he stated "We have a Jewish household. I converted when I married Lisa."
  85. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1884956033
  86. Jewish Bulletin of Northern California: "After Winningham observed her first Yom Kippur that year, she knew she had to convert, and did so March 3, 2003, accompanied by an entourage of friends and relatives."
  87. Entertainment Weekly
  88. NIH Profile
  89. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0748-0814(1989)7%3A1%3C247%3AFMTJCE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5
  90. http://books.google.com/books?id=SdwbFx9Dz8EC&pg=PA70&lpg=PA70&dq=Mary+Doria+Russell+atheist+convert+to+judaism&source= web&ots=B3k3Y1x-zr&sig=V-x23lDfFw5fBjbJIhLQb1jJsEs
  91. j. - Actress-singer Mare Winningham an unlikely Jewish soul
  92. http://www.hillel.org/TemplatesHillel/Templates/news.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID={072CF0C6-A8D1-496E-B652-AE4916E495F6}&NRORIGINALURL=%2Fabout%2Fnews%2F2007%2Fmar%2Fwinningham_2007Mar16.htm&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest
  93. Iranian Muslim converts to Judaism
  94. Jewish Encyclopedia "He was by birth a Gentile from Pontus, and is said by Epiphanius to have been a connection by marriage of the emperor Hadrian and to have been appointed by him about the year 128 to an office concerned with the rebuilding of Jerusalem as "Ælia Capitolina." At some unknown age he joined the Christians, but afterward left them and became a proselyte to Judaism."
  95. Fordham University
  96. Jewish Encyclopedia
  97. Jewish Encyclopedia "If the contradictory and sometimes legendary accounts of the personality of Dhu Nuwas given by the Arabian writers can be trusted, he was not a Jew by birth, but embraced Judaism after ascending the throne, taking the name of "Joseph."
  98. Jewish Encyclopedia "Obadiah was a proselyte of Edomite origin."
  99. Jewish Encyclopedia
  100. Jewish Encyclopedia
  101. Jewish Encyclopedia
  102. BBC
  103. Talmud
  104. (Josephus, Jewish Antiquities xx. 7, § 3
  105. Columbia Encyclopedia
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