A Jew by Choice is an individual not born of a Jewish parent who chooses to either formally convert to Judaism or chooses not to undergo formal conversion to Judaism at all, yet claims to be identified with the Jewish people. The word Jew ( Hebrew: יהודי) is used in a wide number of ways, but generally refers to a follower of the Jewish faith, a child of a Jewish mother, or someone of Jewish descent with a connection to Jewish culture or ethnicity and often a combination of these attributes. ... The Star of David, a common symbol of Jews and Judaism Judaism is the religion and culture of the Jewish people and one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths. ...

While many "Jews by birth" choose to abandon the faith of their ancestors, marrying non-Jews and even undergoing conversion to another religion, the phenomenon of Jews by Choice is a reverse trend, but in many case falls short of the formal rituals required to convert to Judaism and the observance of the Jewish religion.

From the point of view of classical Judaism, certainly as far as Orthodox Judaism ,Conservative Judaism and the State of Israel are concerned, Jews by Choice are not Jewish if they do not undergo conversion as based on Jewish law (known as Halakha.) Orthodox Judaism is one of the three major branches of Judaism. ... Conservative Judaism (or Masorti Judaism) is a denomination of Judaism characterized by: A positive attitude toward modern culture The belief that traditional rabbinic modes of study, and modern scholarship and critical text study, are both valid ways to learn about and from Jewish religious texts. ... Halakha (הלכה or Halakhah, Halacha, Halachah) is the collective corpus of Jewish law, custom and tradition regulating all aspects of behavior. ...

Some prominent personalities in popular culture have been drawn to the teachings of Judaism and practice some of its rituals (mitzvot). One of the most prominent at this time is Madonna who follows the teachings of the Kabbalah Centre. These people are not "Jews by Choice" and their actions go against Judaism. Mitzvah מצוה is Hebrew for commandment (plural mitzvot; from צוה, tzavah - command). ... Madonna Ciccone Ritchie Madonna Ciccone Ritchie (born Madonna Louise Ciccone in Bay City, Michigan, August 16, 1958), simply known by the stage name Madonna, is an American singer frequently referred to as the Queen of Pop music. ... This Judaism-related article is in need of attention. ...

Traditionally, a Rabbi is required to turn away the prospective convert (known as a ger tzedek) three times. This is done to test the sincerity of the convert, as well as to ensure that the conversion is done of their own free will. While the Jewish community does not traditionally seek out converts, if a convert comes to be converted and is insistent, the convert is then given a series of steps that allow them to explore Judaism. Usually, a period of study is required. The convert may also be asked to observe certain rituals of the Jewish faith. Because Judaism is a faith that teaches the value of community, the convert may also be asked to observe holidays within the community during their period of study. See Semicha for article about ordination of rabbis. ... In Judaism, a ger (Hebrew: stranger or convert) or ger tzedek (righteous convert or convert of righteousness) is a gentile who has undergone religious conversion (giur) to Judaism by fulfilling the ritual requirements for such conversion accepting the obligations of Jewish religious observance. ... The Star of David, a common symbol of Jews and Judaism Judaism is the religion and culture of the Jewish people and one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths. ... The Star of David, a common symbol of Jews and Judaism Judaism is the religion and culture of the Jewish people and one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths. ...

At the end of the period of study, if the convert still wishes to join the Jewish people, they must go before a Beit Din, a Jewish court of law made up of 3 Rabbis. There, the prospective convert is asked questions that are designed to determine their sincerity, their readiness to enter the community as a full member, and that the commitment is being made of their free will. If the Beit Din approves the gentile for conversion, he must be circumcised ( if he is a male ), and dunked in a kosher mikve. This is the only procedure that is accepted in the state of Israel. A Beit Din is a Jewish court of law comprised of three Jews. ... A Rabbi (Classical Hebrew רִבִּי ribbī; modern Ashkenazi and Israeli רַבִּי rabbī) is a religious Jewish scholar who is an expert in Jewish law. ... A Beit Din is a Jewish court of law comprised of three Jews. ...

Once a person has converted to Judaism, they are as Jewish as one born to the faith. The different modern streams of Judaism disagree as to the validity of the conversions of some of the other streams. See Who Is A Jew?. The Star of David, a common symbol of Jews and Judaism Judaism is the religion and culture of the Jewish people and one of the first recorded monotheistic faiths. ... Who is a Jew? (Hebrew: Mihu Yehudi—מיהו יהודי?) can be a complicated question because Judaism shares some of the characteristics of a nation, an ethnicity, a religion, and a culture, making the definition of who is a Jew vary depending on whether a religious, sociological, or national approach to...

According to some thinkers, all modern Jews are Jews By Choice when they choose to live a Jewish lifestyle with a Jewish identity, this idea is rejected by all religious authorities.

It should be mentioned that only orthodox conversions by a respected Rabbi are accepted by the state of Israel. Not even all orthodox conversions are accepted in israel, Reform and Conservative conversions are never accepted. Some less than honest "rabbis" have been know to lie to perspective converts about what type of conversions are accepted in Israel. ( Anyone wishing to convert to Judaism should strongly consider doing so in the State of Israel ).