The Conversion of Non-Jews to Messianic Judaism: A Test-Case of Membership and Identity in a New Religious Movement

  Paper presented at the World Union of Jewish Studies Hebrew University, Jerusalem, July 28, 2013.1 Introduction The topic of conversion to Judaism is of great significance in discussion of Jewish identity. Conversion, the process by which non-Jews become Jews, has always occupied an important place on the Jewish agenda. From a theoretical standpoint, conversion is a fascinating phenomenon in many respects: religious and national, historical and social, philosophical and psychological. From a practical standpoint, conversion is an important social institution that is vital for Jew