Joel Newton

Joel Newton (he/him/his) is a recent convert and a decade-long member of Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) in Deerfield, Illinois. He co-leads the synagogue’s social justice efforts and is involved with many other aspects of the temple. His professional background is in philosophy and IT.

Open book with Hebrew writing and gold page marker across one page

Conversion

A Gate in the Fence: A Non-believer’s Conversion to Judaism

Joel Newton

June 2, 2021

Judaism is a religion, but it is also a practice. I choose to practice my Judaism by expressing my love for the Jewish people and my becoming one of them. I practice by immersing myself in Jewish wisdom and participating in the conversation of Jewish philosophy.