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Judaism Begins At Home: For Doris Feinstein Pollock, conversion. instructor, the home is where Jews by choice should discover Judaism.
Doris Feinstein Pollock believes a woman's place is in the home -- in her case, teaching Judaism to those who wish to convert under Orthodox guidelines.
"Judaism is a living, vibrant religion," she said in her Pikesville home, the site of her teaching, which she has decorated in warm tones to make people feel more at ease. "You can't just leave it in the books. You have to make it part of you."
Mrs. Pollock, who for many years was an official teacher of converts approved by a major beit din (Jewish law court) in Los Angeles, recently moved to Baltimore with her husband, Herbert Pollock.
As in Los Angeles, she hopes in Baltimore to teach those who want to go through the rigorous course of study to become an Orthodox Jew. And she thinks her background -- as a woman, a non-rabbi and a native of the non-Jewish ghetto of the South Bronx -- may give her the insights to connect with those new to Orthodoxy.
"Mrs. Pollock comes highly recommended, and as the need arises she will probably begin to do more tutoring," said Rabbi Shlomo Porter, director of the Etz Chaim Center, which among other things helps find study partners for those who wish to convert.
He added that some local Orthodox rabbis teach both individuals and classes for those who want to convert, although many rabbis are quite skeptical of the intentions of potential converts. Some...