For many, the decision to convert to Judaism arises as a result of a marriage or children. This wasn’t the case for Karen Wheelock. Five years ago the Malden woman chose to become Jewish of her own volition.

Wheelock, 62, grew up in a Protestant family. Over the years, she said that she “tried a little bit of everything” in terms of religion. When she found Judaism about a decade ago, she felt like she had “come home.”

“I decided that I didn’t believe that Christ was the Messiah, so I began searching for another religion to better suit my needs,” said Wheelock, who had visited Temple Tifereth Israel in Malden and found the congregation to be very welcoming and friendly.

She attended some services and functions, and decided to pursue it further. She took “A Taste of Judaism” class with Rabbi Tom Alpert, who at that time was the leader of the Reform congregation. When Alpert left, she continued her studies with Rabbi Herman Blumberg, who had taken over the helm.

Wheelock, a social worker, developed some friendships with several other women at TTI who were also considering conversion. The group took classes together at Temple Israel in Boston, and the women, who all converted, are still friends today.

“We call ourselves the Shabbat sisters,” said Wheelock, adding that they celebrate all the Jewish holidays together.

Wheelock’s spouse, Arlene McGrory, has not converted, but has always stood by her partner’s side. “Arlene is not particularly religious, but she has been really supportive. She’s happy that I’m happy,” Wheelock said.

As a gay person, Wheelock had become increasingly disenchanted with the church’s stance on same-sex marriage. Temple Tifereth Israel’s acceptance of her gay lifestyle played a big role in her decision to convert.

“I had been searching for a religion for a long time that would accept me and my relationship. I have found that Judaism, especially the Reform movement, is open to all kinds of lifestyles,” Wheelock said.

She points out that TTI did a lot of speaking out on gay rights, and doesn’t discriminate against gays. “The Reform movement has gone out of its way to accept everyone,” she said.
Wheelock and McGrory married in June 2004 with a non-denominational ceremony. Wheelock officially completed her conversion to Judaism in November of 2005. The process involved formally answering questions in front of a Beit Din (rabbinical court), and an immersion in Mayyim Hayyim Mikveh in Newton.

The conversion itself was an “exhilarating, but scary” experience said Wheelock, who invited more than two dozen guests to witness the ceremony and participate in a celebration afterwards.

“I can’t believe it’s been almost four years. It seems like just yesterday,” she marveled.

Today, Wheelock is an active member of Temple Tifereth Israel. She is a regular at Shabbat services, sings in the temple choir, and serves on the congregation’s board of directors.
She is very glad she made the decision and commitment to convert to Judaism. “It’s just a wonderful, beautiful religion,” she said.



This story includes reporting by Matthew Keough of the Malden Observer.