On behalf of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, I would like to offer a public apology to Avitall Gerstetter, a 2002 ALEPH alumna. ALEPH neglected to reach out to Cantor Gerstetter in advance of publishing our statement on September 20, 2022—The Place of Converts in the Jewish Community—to gain an understanding of what was happening in Germany that prompted her to write that article.

Needless to say, ALEPH’s position on converts has not and will not change—we fully embrace and affirm those who wish to convert to Judaism and welcome converts to participate in Jewish life to the fullest extent of their wishes, without exception or limitation.

As a tikkun, ALEPH will begin hosting conversations about Judaism in Germany. We have several ALEPH ordination alumni (musmachim) and Renewalniks in Germany. As an American Jew, I know I have much to learn from our global chevre and recognize that ALEPH can be very Americentric in our orientation. Please stay tuned for more information on the start of several global conversations on Jewish life outside of the US.

Sincerely,

SooJi Min-Maranda | Executive Director

December 8th, 2022