About Us
"...A little while...and I will shake all nations, and the choicest of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory.... The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former...and in this house I will give peace, says the L-rd of hosts."
Haggai 2:5-7,9.
Overview
Ohel Sarah Imenu’s Statement of Purpose gives a broad overview of our program. We are not a conversion factory, nor is our program appropriate for someone who has any other agenda than conversion to Torah-true Judaism.
We are intimately involved with our students, working with each one according to her level and preparing her for the beis din and beyond. While we stress from the beginning that the students shouldn’t try to change too much too fast, we do expect them to move forward at least in public areas that affect Klal Yisrael. We believe that their own initiative in practicing what they learn in class without undue pressure from us is an indication of their level of commitment.
After their conversion, we guide the students in their search for their “intended” and their establishment of a home faithful to Torah and mitzvos.
Herself a convert to Judaism almost 40 years ago, the director of Ohel Sarah Imenu is in a unique position to accompany someone every step along this path. She is familiar first hand with the struggles, obstacles, and victories that a candidate for conversion must experience. Our on-staff Life Coach, also a convert, is on hand to assist students with their own personal issues and struggles, as well as the identification and achievement of their goals.
Since our beginning in 2000, we have been under the supervision of a reliable, recognized beis din. Students are referred to us not only by various Rabbis, but also from various women’s seminaries, and by word of mouth. We have had English-speaking students from not only the United States and Canada, but also from England, France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, China, Japan, Australia, South Africa, and Chile.
Statement of Purpose
Our purpose is to prepare sincere candidates for conversion to Torah-true Judaism and a Jewish life committed to Torah miSinai. We expect to accomplish this goal not only through classes but also through supervised Jewish life experiences.
Our classes cover the basics of Judaism in which we stress the importance of the transmission of the Tradition, faith in the wisdom of the Torah Sages, as well as the concepts of spiritual influence, purity and impurity, and holiness. We strive to help the students develop the qualities of modesty, loving kindness, faithfulness, and a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, following the example of Ruth, the Mother of Royalty.
Supervised Jewish life experience includes, but is not limited to, placement in homes in which all the family members are dedicated to the way of Torah. This may, but not necessarily, include actually living with the family. We believe that this exposure and experience is critical to the student's growth and the development of the necessary Torah viewpoints and “fear of heaven.” It also includes learning about and celebrating the milestones of Jewish life.
The student's willingness to participate in all aspects of this program, designed by the teachers, demonstrates a measure of her readiness for joining the People of Israel.
All teachers and staff, as well as the families participating in the program, must be committed to the way of Torah.