Conservative Judaism
Conversion requirements
Brit Milah/Hatafat Dam Brit: Required (Approved certification of the procedure is also acceptable.)
Mikveh: Required (Mikvah Chai at Ohev Sholom – The National Synagogue in Washington, D.C., or the Mikveh at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El in Wynnewood, Penn.)
Bet Din: Required (Conservative rabbis and/or cantors)
Conversion Location: Washington, D.C., or Wynnewood, Penn.
Additional Languages: Spanish, Hebrew, German, Portuguese, Yiddish
Students Accepted: Mitzvah, Chai, Scholarship
Conversion requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic
Brit Milah/Hatafat Dam Brit: Required (No change)
Mikveh: Required (No change)
Bet Din: Required (At least one Conservative clergy member must be present at the mikveh; other members of bet din may participate virtually via video conferencing.)
I am happy to work with
Families with children: Both parents or guardians must agree to conversion for children(ren), if applicable.
LGBTQ+ candidates: I work with and welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Interfaith or dual-faith relationships: Other-than-Jewish partners’ involvement is strongly encouraged.
Personal statement
I was born in South America to parents who fled Europe at the beginning of World War II. From an early age, I was exposed to my father’s work building bridges with different segments of the Jewish community as well as his pioneer efforts to further relations within the multi-faith community of Uruguay, where I grew up. I was inspired by this work and decided to pursue a rabbinic career that would extend our family’s rabbinic dynasty dating back to the 16th century.
I have lived in five different countries within Latin America as well as in the United States, and I have a wealth of experience in working with individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It is my firm belief that conveying an understanding of the rich tapestry of the Jewish religion and tradition to people raised in an environment with little or no knowledge of it is a transformative experience. My goal is to work with you to capture the essence of this journey, so that it may result in a meaningful and everlasting part of your identity.
Education
The Jewish Theological Seminary
Smicha (Rabbinical Ordination)
Master in Hebrew Letters
Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano in Buenos Aires, Argentina (JTS educational affiliate)
Graduate
Universidad de Buenos Aires in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Master of Philosophy
More about Rabbi Alfredo (English)
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