Converting to Judaism - Orthodox vs. Conservative?

[ColumbaWilliams]

So, I'm considering (and when I mean "considering," I mean I've been studying seriously and attending services for months, and I feel Judaism may be the right faith and lifestyle for me) conversion. I do take this very seriously, and I'm not rushing into anything, but if I do convert, my place will be with a Conservative congregation. I have read, however, that conversion not performed by an Orthodox rabbi is not recognized as legitimate by Jewish law.

The leader of the congregation I've been attending isn't around for me to ask at the moment, and it's weighing pretty heavily on my mind right now. Does anyone out there know anything about the conversion process? I'm pretty familiar with what will happen at this point, but this is an issue I've received numerous responses to, and I'm not sure which way is up right now. Can I receive legitimate conversion by a Conservative rabbi, or must it be performed by an Orthodox leader regardless of what sect I wish to join?

Please and thank you. :]

 

[Krankor]

Of course you can receive a legitimate conversion by a Conservative rabbi. It's just that you might have difficulty if you later decide to try to join an orthodox congregation. But I guarantee that no conservative congregation is going to keep you out because you weren't converted by an orthodox rabbi! Similarly, you could get converted by a Reform rabbi, but it would be similarly problematic whether or not a conservative congregation would accept that, and an orthodox one probably would not.

What you probably really want to do is, if you have a specific congregation that you were planning on joining, you should check with their rabbi and make sure you go through a conversion that is acceptable to that congregation.