My husband and I phoned three reform synagogues - and they wouldn't perform a bris on Shaun as I wasn't Jewish. So they still have some 'rules' that are fairly strict.

I am sure that the reform conversion is nowhere near as long (1-2 years) as the orthodox conversion (3-5 years). A friend of mine was "married" to an Israeli.... and she did a Reform convertion. But as soon as he got his papers, he was out of there! But she's now living in Israel, and has been able to get an Israeli passport - so we were surprised that they recognised her "Jewish" in Israel.

I had a landlord who lives in Glen Huntly. She was European (not sure where from)... and she was married to a Jew. They had a number of children. He died and was buried. Then she found out she would not be able to be buried with him as she wasn't Jewish. So she converted after he died... so she could be with him in eternity. How sweet is that?!

One thing that surprised me was that if I was to ever consider converting; my children would be regarded as Jewish - regardless of what age they were. I thought I would have to be Jewish before they were born. (correct me if I'm wrong Yael). But at the end of the day, I will only consider conversion if I really want to be involved in a religion. I have 100% respect for everyone's religious beliefs, but I'm not at the stage of wanting/needing to convert. Funny enough - many of my Jewish clients (which is about 80%) - all say I'm more Jewish than they are!!! I wouldn't say that though! Just because I hang a sedar plate, a hamsa, and a map of Israel in my salon, doesn't make me Jewish!

And as Yael says... women can be at the Bris. I've been to a number of them, and there are just as many women as men watching. One of the mums stayed in another room as she didn't want to watch her son have it done.... but that was just a personal thing for her.