Ordained to Be a Jew: A Catholic Priest's Conversion to Judaism

By John David Scalamonti

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881254126
• ISBN13: 9780881254129
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Ktav
• Length: 180 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.5" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

I know people who can relate to his experience!

I used to co-moderate a discussion group for Christians who had converted to Judaism, and most of our members were former Catholics. Some converted before Vatican II, but most were younger, and had converted after Vatican II. We had two members who had once been priests (ordained after Vatican II), and many of their experiences were different from those of Mr Scalamonte's. My own mother was a convert to (Orthodox) Judaism from Roman Catholicism, so I have had considerable experience with such converts. Mr Scalamonte's book was very profound but as other posters have said, a bit outdated considering the changes in the Catholic church. But many Catholics choose to become Jewish, and in some ways it seems as if there are more doing so now than prior to Vatican II.

Excellent and informative

In this book, Scalamonti explains his gradual disillusionment with the church and his discovery and acceptance of Judaism. It is very important to recognize that in writing this book, he is in no way trying to convert Christians away from their faith. He is trying to explain why he, himself, converted. This book is not only for people who may be contemplating conversion to Judaism, but also for Jews who may not see the beauty of Judaism for themselves and therefore cannot understand why someone would choose to become Jewish. After reading this book, I believe that he wrote it primarily for this latter group - to inspire assimilated and ambivalent Jews to appreciate their own heritage and religion more. The writing style is smooth and easy to read. It is interstingly written and hard to put down.

A Book of The Highest Order

This is an excellent book. Scalamonti goes through a complete transformation from a very religious Catholic who wants (and succeeds) in becoming a Catholic Priest to his questioning of everything in the priesthood, to his conversion and immersion into Judaism. I hear alot of people talking about how glad they are to be "Jewish" but they do not really fulfill what being Jewish entails. Scalamonti describes in beautiful detail REAL Judaism. Not about hearts and stomachs, he describes many of the wonderful rituals behind Judaism. I think that he describes his dissasistifaction with Christianity in a respectable way (and after all, he DID get the FULL experience). This book is a very excellent read & is widely recommended not only to people interested in converting to Judaism, but Jews who want to have more meaning out of their life as well.

Of interest to those thinking of converting to Judaism

John Scalamonti tells of his journey from training to be a Catholic priest to becoming an Othodox Jew.The book is divided equally between his training to become a priest and his eventual departure from the priesthood at which time he loses all support from the church and starts working in restaurants. It is here that he meets the woman who eventually becomes his wife. She is an observant, Orthodox Jew. John Scalamonti converts to Orthodox Judaism and relates how difficult it is as well as how fulfilling it is. He is in many cases not accepted by Jews or Christians. He mentions how a new Christian would be welcomed with open arms by other Christians while his conversion to Judaism was a quiet affair, not attended by others.I believe that Jews and those interested in converting to Judaism would be interested in this book because of the Jewish teachings it presents, and the encouragement given to born Jews to become more involved in their Jewish faith which John loves so much. Christians might not be as interested in the book,because after all, John did convert to Judaism.In a review by John Scalamonti above, he mentions that he is available for talks, but no e-mail address is given. Perhaps he could add that for folks who might like to contact him.