Sometime before a conversion is planned a rabbi would say to the prospective proselyte who was brought up Christian, “You wish to become a Jew? Do you still harbor any lingering uncertainty as to whether or not the Messiah has come or that salvation is achieved by belief in Jesus? Was he the son of God as other humans are not? Is God to be understood as a Trinity or a Triune composite? Do not undertake to become a Jew while still perhaps a Christian or if you are likely to ‘need Jesus’ in your life sometime in the future. Remember, Jews do not put forth the promise of salvation or offer Judaism as the truth.

         Rabbis are likely to admonish the candidate forthrightly along these lines: ...

My conversion catalogue of mitzvot that prospective converts should undertake as part of the process includes the following responsibilities organized in the form of a to-do checklist:

1) Choose a Hebrew name with great care. It may derive from your own non-Hebrew name (like Stav, meaning autumn, from Steve and Keren meaning ray from Karen and Rae); a deceased family member or friend; or a biblical name such as Ruth, Sarah, Abraham or Joel.

 2) Select the conversion site.  It may be a lake, stream, pond, ocean or other body of water. Or you may prefer a Jewish community’s mikvah, a ritual bath carefully and aesthetically designed to enhance the sense of the importance of the occasion.

3) Before the open Ark the convert is publicly blessed, and the chosen Hebrew name conferred. You, the convert, are encouraged to bring family and dearest friends as witnesses of the event. And you should regard the occasion as a profoundly significant milestone in your life and the life of your loved ones. Make plans to celebrate...