A "Model" Jew

Leave it to Aliza to get the scoop on the latest on the gerus and kiruv scene. I come home to see an e-mail sent out with a link to this story that reveals that Ivanka Trump is converting to Judaism; apparently in concordance with her becoming engaged to Jared Kushner (a Jew...apparently). I know, I know; this sort of thing happens all the time with celebrities (although nowadays, it's probably gone out of vogue a bit because so many famous people are joining those 'anything-goes-as-long-as-you-have-money' type deals). However, she is learning at Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun which is a Modern Orthodox synagogue. What this means, I am not sure, and neither does the author of the article (apparently); however it is really fascinating.

Could it be that Miss Trump is pursuing a halachaic conversion? If you put aside the fact that she is involved with a Jewish man, she could be a good candidate. She certainly doesn't need to worry about the added expense of Jewish living or trying to find a profession where she can be off for the Yom Tovim and Shabbos. Although she was a model, and most photographs of her (like the one above) are a far cry from anything tznius; Ivanka, in spite of her fame, has not really engaged in the typical rich brat debauchery that so many other well to do heiresses have in her age range (eh-hem...'Paris Hilton'...eh-hem). Any interviews I have seen of her or read on her (which have really been only three; including this YouTube video) portrays her as a relatively intelligent and professional woman. There are no glaring conflicts (it seems) that would prevent her from becoming a Torah observant Jew.

Of course, I can't get too excited about this news; mainly because there are so many unsettling questions that are on my mind; and they probably come up in the mind of other people who are pursuing halachaic conversions as well. (Of course, these questions are only valid if she is looking to pursue a halachaic conversion...if not, then they don't really apply.) The first, most obvious issue is the fact that she chose to convert after her engagement to a Jewish man. The classic take regarding Orthodox conversions is that you do not undergo one for marriage purposes. In reality though, this does still happen; but the Jewish significant other is also evaluated in regard to what extent they are shomer mitzvot; also, perhaps the process is drawn out a bit more. Will that be the case here? The second issue is just how much knowledge of Judaism will Miss Trump need to internalize; or will she pushed along through the system because, well, she is quite well off and would be a great financial asset to the frum community. I do not mean to insinuate the any Beis Din or Rabbi is "for sale", chas v'shalom. However, there are many things Miss Trump could do that I could not do; to facilitate living as a Jew. She could buy and install a complete new kitchen and hire all sorts of hired staff to assist her with Shabbos and the particulars of being a Jewish wife. She could purchase the entire Artscroll library and have it at her disposal to access anything on an "as needed" basis. This is not really a stretch if you think about it. I heard of a woman in her 40s who converted that just could not learn to read Hebrew. She told the Beis Din that she always had access to transliterated siddurim and bentchers and that was fine.

Finally there is a third issue which probably bothers me more than the other two; and that issue is the aspect of a ger leaving their original community [so to speak] and clinging to the Jewish people. My Rabbi reminds me of this necessity and that when the Jews are subjected to pains and struggles; you too must also take ownership in those same pains and struggles. This sounds simple; but really it is not. From my perspective (and probably from the perspective of many other potential gerim), it can be tough to not feel full acceptance from the community; and then turn around and fully align yourself with them times of hardship. However, there is no other group on earth I feel a connection with and affinity with except for the Jews; so I will stand my ground. Does Miss Trump have it inside of her to also feel this? I do not deny that she is able to; but it is probably more difficult for her than it is for me. If, G-d forbid, her future marriage would end in divorce, would she still proudly wear the Jew label or will she quickly and readily shed her Jewish Stepford Wife skin? Will we have another Dr. Laura on our hands, who will convert, get the "in", and then turn around later and criticize Torah Judaism as being "empty".

Well Ivanka, I will be keeping an eye out for you to see how things go. I do not, by default, think that you will fail. I also don't think any less of the situation since it is fueled by marriage. Many successful gerim and baalei teshuva found their path because they fell in love. In fact, they probably have a slightly better chance for success than those of us who did not find Judaism on the premise of falling in love because us singles have to chart through murky waters completely solo. Not to mention the confusion and the distrust that comes your way because you were a happy gentile and now you are opting for the difficult existence of being a Torah-observant Jew. I also hope that the Rabbis, Beis Din and community you align yourself with will also keep in mind that they have a considerable test in front of them. If you lower the bar for Miss Trump to convert, what does that reveal? If you more readily accept her into your fold and her future children into your yeshiva while other, G-d fearing gerim struggle for years to be considered equals, what does that say? If there is no talk of revoking her conversion if she gets caught out in public wearing pants or if her husband does not keep Shabbos, how will this make the rest of halachaic gerim feel? So please, all of you, do not compromise Judaism for the sake of image; it's really the last thing we need right now!