Money and Shmu the Jew

Shmu the jew

Gonzlas keeps focusing on the money involved. His analysis is specious and improper for these reasons

1. Our COURSE costs, but much less than the other online conversion programs by 50%-600% less, (yes some charge many thousands for their program) and more than that less than what individual Conservative and Reform  rabbis charge for tutoring individuals outside their synagogues.  Should our hard work and labor be given away for free? Does Shmuli live off the government or something or does someone pay him for his work? Its a free country. People are welcome to take or not take the course. We also give SUBSTANTIAL scholarships to those who ask, through the generosity of a man Shmuli tries to trash on his blog. Unconscionable!

2. If they CHOOSE to convert with us after the course, (and many don't. Many use our course as a prereq with their local rabbi and convert there), there are expenses. The mikvah charges them $180. New York we hear is up to $250. Does shmuli want to pay the water and electric bill for the mikvah or is it ok for them to charge?

The rabbis who sit on the beit din have a right to be compensated for their time. The mohel who shleps there to perform hatafat dam has a right to be compensated.

His implication that somehow  money charged for this  is wrong is  is pathetic, specious. Rabbis who are paid very handsomely by Congregations usually don't even bother to teach converts but farm them out to programs like ours.