Q: I am thinking of converting to Judaism. My target denomination is Conservative or Orthodox Judaism. I am drawn to Conservative Judaism because of its belief on Halacha. I am drawn to Orthodoxy because of it being the most acceptable. Before in my research it was an issue because of the Right of Return but because it accepts all denominations, then it isnt an issue. But thats not why i am asking this question. My question is that i approached a Conservative and Orthodox Rabbi though email first so i wont just show up. The Conservative Rabbi answered me and we had a conversation and i have visited the shul a many of times and attened the sunday shool for a year. But then a hault came about my age, I am 13(became 13 on April). I have had an intrest in Judaism since i was 7. Its a long story but i will tell you the main parts. I went with my grandmother to a old Hebrew school that was having a yard sale and i dont know what it was but walking around and experiencing the school made we wonder about this group of people. The minute i was allowd to use the internet on my own i researched the most i could. For hours on end. I finally told my mother at the age of 11 that i wanted to become Jewish and she didnt think anything of iit and said ok ok. But after seeing how i saved for my own kippah. Then saved all my allowence to buy books. Then started helping in the neighborhood and now i have -Tallit -Kippah(2) -Chumash -Siddur(Conservative - Weekday and Shabbat and festivals) -Two types of literature. My mother saw i was committed and started taking me to different shuls so i could see how they were and fell in love with an Conservative shul with a nice rabbi and great services. I started going to sunday school which was a few hundred a month. My parents paid for that. Then i spent a year on my own studing Judaism and even on my 13th birthday which coincedently fell on Shabbat. I read the weeks parasha in my living room on that morning and even had a big party. I didnt tell my parents that was a mock bar mitzvah just a 13th birthday. But to me this was a stepping stone in my jewish education. Now that i have made such a step to consider converting because i cant live my life as a Subbotnik(group who observes jewish laws and halacha but dont make an effort to convert). I really want to be Jewish. But when my rabbi said i had to be 18 to convert and 13 to go to classes, i was devistated. I researched and found a question on here about what i am going though. I wondered is it against religious freedom to turn away a convert because of age if they are sincere? I am the most sincere a convert can be. I read Torah for an hour daily. I observe Shabbat and 613. I am not even Jewish. Please dont call me an Messianic because i oppose those people. They arent Jewish and shouldnt have a place to worship becaus they are posers. I just want to connect with my Jewish neshma(soul). That is in reach but i am being turned down because of my age. I cant wait 5 years. I can wait three but not 5 years just to start the process. I can wait 5 years for study if i am involved in the process but like i said not to wait just to wait. My question is: Is it right for a Rabbi to do this. Its old tradition to turn away three times for sincerity. But not for age. Or maybe is he rejecting my process for sincerity? I am not sure. Help!!!!! My parents are for it 1000% for me to convert which is rare for most converts.
A: I understand. You have a unique case. You may sway a Rabbi. If you swayed an atheist who answered your question a few hours ago then you can sway many people. Because of your case that you have studied for about 4 1/2 years then thqat could be a great factor for the good. Also that you have the permission of your family, that is awesome too. Just be determinied. Email many other rabbis in your area. Email your local Chabad house and see if they do conversions. My friend converted though Chabad of Tidewater(Norfolk,Virginia) and he converted and it was great because he didnt have to pay for membership because Chabad is an outreach group. But Chabad Houses are all different. When i was having a road trip i always stopped at a chabad house to pray and some were welcoming and friendly which is what many are used to. Some just ignore you, it was like i was an outcase i dont know if it was that i was Modern Orthodox and not Lubavitch. It could be many things. But some Chabads are an outreach to JEWS only and may not conduct conversions. It depends but never let that sway you away.