Rating: 
Summary: Harsh but gives the reader a preparation for what is to come
Review: "Becoming a Jew" is one of the most realistic book when it deals with the issue of conversion. It is realistic because it gives the reader a preparation and an understanding of a life changing matter. The book touches many subjects regarding judaism and its converts but at the same time, it alerts the reader of the sacrifices and joys that comes when becoming a jew.
Rating: 
Summary: Considering Converting? Buy this book
Review: After a 1 1/2 years of debating conversion and doing the research I bought this book. It made me think long and hard. Well written. My only wish is that it had more on the other movements in Judism. I read the book, I started my conversion to Conservitive Judism in Febuary. This book is well worth the money. A great a resource!
Rating: 
Summary: An important read for all converts
Review: As one who has recently converted to Judaism, I would recommend this to all those considering conversion to Judaism, no matter what pathway they have chosen to follow. This book covers conversion to Orthodox Judaism and is somewhat derisory about any other path to join this wonderful spiritual home. However, the realization of the exclusivity and lack of tolerance of Orthodox Judaism towards other sincere Jews is important for all converts to appreciate, even if it is difficult to understand. From that point of view, this book is a good starting point.
Rating:
Summary: An important read for all converts
Review: As one who has recently converted to Judaism, I would recommend this to all those considering conversion to Judaism, no matter what pathway they have chosen to follow. This book covers conversion to Orthodox Judaism and is somewhat derisory about any other path to join this wonderful spiritual home. However, the realization of the exclusivity and lack of tolerance of Orthodox Judaism towards other sincere Jews is important for all converts to appreciate, even if it is difficult to understand. From that point of view, this book is a good starting point.
Rating:
Summary: Start your path to Judaism here.
Review: Becoming a Jew is probably the single best book written on conversion to authentic Judaism. This is where I began my path to conversion and it answered many questions and lighted the path. Mr. Lamm's comments regarding the traditions of Judaism is in reference to acceptance of the convert as Jewish. I disagree with the fact that he speaks down to and disparages other traditions in this book. Mr. Lamm is honest about what is expected of the potential convert and what a conversion entails. Mr. Lamm also gives a basic overview of Jewish tradition and practice that helps potential converts understand what life they could lead as a Jew.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful for the convert or the return Jew
Review: If you are a secularized Jew or a potential convert this is a wonderful book, and one of a kind. I dont think there exists almost any books on conversion to Judaism, therefore this is clearly the reference for you! This book details the many questions associated with converting to judaism. What are the different types of Judaism? What is the history of Judaism? WHo is a Jew and why? Will I need to be circumsized? What about marriage? Will I be excepted? Can I go live in Israel? What is the process of conversion? What are the high holy days? These questions will be answered in this volume and the book provides many personal stories from converts. Easy to read and well organized.
Rating:
Summary: Considering Converting? Buy this book
Review: If you are an individual pondering whether or not you want to convert to Judaism - read this book! It will give you a wealth of information on the topic. Converting to Judaism is not for the timid or half-hearted proselyte. Rabbi Lamm explains the basic facts of what it means to be Jewish, really Jewish. He covers tradition on Jewish birth, death, and everything in between. For covering such an expanse, he does an excellent job of explaining the many facets of Judaism clearly. This book should either solidify your decision to convert or help you realize that you are not ready for the committment (and to have a traditional, binding conversion it IS quite a committment). Overall, this is an informative book on conversion - the best I have read. The many narratives of converts (in their own words), along with all the factual information, provide a great balance. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Becoming a *Serious* Jew
Review: Maurice Lamm's book carefully toes the line between Jewish law and human compassion. I disagree that this is a book for Orthodox converts only: it is for anyone who seeks to become a *serious* Jew. Some have commented that this book is hopelessly biased towards Orthodoxy. This is an expression of Lamm's desire to deal honestly with painful and potentially divisive issues. Yes, some movements will tell you you don't have to know (or do) all of this to become Jewish. But if you're serious about becoming a Jew, only Lamm's book will help you not only learn *about* this religion, but also try it on for size. Some movements will hide the details from you, give you an "easy" way in. If that's the Judaism you want, you will find it an easy, but not very rewarding, path. Lamm gently gives you all the hard AND heartwarming stuff, in this single thick volume. Rules and regulations are not necessarily a bad thing -- they can make the path clearer and easier to follow. Would-be converts are often put off by demands that they keep kosher or observe Shabbat -- "Why should I, if I already FEEL Jewish?" But you couldn't become a U.S. citizen, either, just by saying you already "feel American." You've got to know what all of it means first, and that's what Lamm gives you here. In this book, Lamm expertly balances his halachic (legal) perspective with stories of actual converts and a realistic view of issues that Jews-by-choice may be facing. If you're serious about Judaism, you owe it to yourself to find out -- in all its gory detail -- what this religion is actually all about.
Rating:
Summary: Becoming a *Serious* Jew
Review: Maurice Lamm's book carefully toes the line between Jewish law and human compassion. I disagree that this is a book for Orthodox converts only: it is for anyone who seeks to become a *serious* Jew. Some have commented that this book is hopelessly biased towards Orthodoxy. This is an expression of Lamm's desire to deal honestly with painful and potentially divisive issues. Yes, some movements will tell you you don't have to know (or do) all of this to become Jewish. But if you're serious about becoming a Jew, only Lamm's book will help you not only learn *about* this religion, but also try it on for size. Some movements will hide the details from you, give you an "easy" way in. If that's the Judaism you want, you will find it an easy, but not very rewarding, path. Lamm gently gives you all the hard AND heartwarming stuff, in this single thick volume. Rules and regulations are not necessarily a bad thing -- they can make the path clearer and easier to follow. Would-be converts are often put off by demands that they keep kosher or observe Shabbat -- "Why should I, if I already FEEL Jewish?" But you couldn't become a U.S. citizen, either, just by saying you already "feel American." You've got to know what all of it means first, and that's what Lamm gives you here. In this book, Lamm expertly balances his halachic (legal) perspective with stories of actual converts and a realistic view of issues that Jews-by-choice may be facing. If you're serious about Judaism, you owe it to yourself to find out -- in all its gory detail -- what this religion is actually all about.
Rating:
Summary: Forcefully argued, very informative
Review: Rabbi Lamm's book is very informative, very comprehensive and very forcefully argued. He pulls no punches and strongly makes his case that (to him) the only real/authentic conversion to Judaism is the Orthodox conversion. I found his arguments very convincing, and ultimately I guess I decided NOT to convert on account of this book. Which is not to say I didn't enjoy reading it...I did, very much so. I have been disillusioned by Christianity since early childhood and I was amazed just how "Jewish" my ways of thinking have been over the years. I am adopted and sometimes I do wonder if maybe my birth mother wasn't really Jewish...I think the odds are strongly against it, but it might explain a lot about myself if it were true. I enjoyed very much the testimonials of converts and their "what I don't like about Christianity" criticisms. I found myself nodding in agreement more than once. But I realized paradoxically that I agreed with Lamm's unspoken assertion that Orthodox conversion is the only real authentic route but also came to understand I could never have the self discipline to live up to Orthodoxy's stringent standards, either. I used to joke to a friend who is converting under Reform auspices "It's really too bad you can't convert to SECULAR Judaism", to which she responded with a laugh "but honey you can, it's called REFORM!"...we used to have some interesting arguements, since I started pondering conversion because of this friend. I always found myself lining up with the Orthodox and Conservative interpretations while she always lined up with the Reform tradition. I guess I'm too much of a hellenic sensualist, too much a pagan Stoic to fit the Orthodox-Jewish mold. I guess I could always undergo and finish the rigours of Orthodox conversion, stay in an Orthodox synagogue for a year then see if I might want to change over to Conservative or Reform Judaism later...but that's just a little too intellectually dishonest, maybe. I don't consider myself a Christian anymore, really...I agree with Judaism too much for that. I still like Jesus, but don't much care for the institution of the Christian Church that came out of that tradition later. Roman Stoicism tends to be my LEBENSPHILOSOPHIE for now. But I respect Rabbi Lamm's well-argued thesis.
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