The Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din of Southern California בית הדין הקהילתי בקליפורניה הדרומית ע"ש שושנה קפלן The Pluralistic Entryway for Conversion to Judaism 15840 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200, Encino, CA 91436 Voice: 818.990-8832 Fax: 818.986-6903 E-mail info@scbetdin.us ______________________________________________________
Board of Governors Rabbi Elliot Dorff Rabbi Richard Levy Founders & Chairs Rabbi Jerrold Goldstein Secretary Mr. Joel Baker Rabbi Rick Brody Rabbi Mark S. Diamond Rabbi Stephen Einstein Rabbi Richard A. Flom Rabbi Alan Henkin Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh Rabbi David E. S. Stein Rabbi Dan Shevitz Ms. Devorah Servi Rabbi Suzanne Singer Rabbi Neal Weinberg Founded and operating in cooperation with the Pacific Southwest region of the Rabbinical Assembly, the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the regional office of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation., the Pacific Southwest Council of Union for Reform Judaism, and the Pacific Southwest region of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.	The Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din was founded in 2002 on the premise that conversion to Judaism can and ought to be a trans-denominational experience, adhering to firm standards, directed by a professional rabbinate that guides and welcomes the candidate for conversion with sensitivity and gentleness. Rabbis from the Conservative, Reconstructionist, and Reform Movements have agreed on standards and procedures which assure that the convert will be welcomed by the overwhelming majority of the Jewish community. The establishment of a multi-denominational, permanent sitting court is virtually unprecedented. It is the result of several years of consultation among leaders of the religious movements in Southern California. Sandra Caplan was a convert to Judaism and led an exemplary Jewish life. Her premature death was widely mourned. The work of this Bet Din honors her memory. At the head of the Community Bet Din is Rabbi Dan Shevitz (Mishkon Tephilo, Venice), the Av Bet Din. The Associate head of the Bet Din is Rabbi Steve Einstein (B’nai Tzedek, Fountain Valley), the S’gan Av. The Bet Din’s Governing Board is co-chaired by Rabbi Elliot Dorff (American Jewish University) and Rabbi Richard Levy (Hebrew Union College). Rabbi Jerrold Goldstein is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din.		Rabbi Dan Shevitz Av Bet Din Head Rabbi of the Court Rabbi Stephen Einstein Sgan Av Bet Din Associate Head Rabbi of the Court Myrna Coen Coordinator Participating Rabbis Click here for a list of the rabbis who have been certified to bring candidates to the Bet Din Candidates for conversion to Judaism through the Sandra Caplan Community Bet Din must prepare with a Participating Rabbi of the Bet Din who will serve as their Sponsoring Rabbi. See the list of Participating Rabbis above. Candidates can study privately with their Sponsoring Rabbi or complete a course of study (Introduction to Judaism) with one of the endorsed programs below. For information on Introduction to Judaism courses which satisfy the educational requirements of the Community Bet Din, contact these programs: Miller Introduction to Judaism Program of Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Conservative) at the American Jewish University. www.ajula.edu/intro or email to intro@ajula.edu Introduction to Judaism courses, a Program of the Union for Reform Judaism, the association of North American Reform Synagogues. http://urj.org/learning/classes/intro/socal-az/ or email to smeyer@urj.org Introduction to Judaism classes by the Judaism by Choice program (independent). www.judaismbychoice.org  or phone: 888-Jew-bychoice (888-539-2924)
Download our brochure: Questions and Answers about Conversion (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)		Our Calendar The Bet Din is in session the second Wednesday and the fourth Tuesday of every month, from 1 to 4 pm, at the American Jewish University in Bel Air. Your sponsoring rabbi will help you schedule an appointment.
Download Forms: Application form for adult Application form for child Declaration of Faith Rabbis: Download candidate endorsement form (web format) or as Microsoft Word form (requires macros, but easier for Word users).
For Rabbis/Dayanim (private area) Password required; To recover a password, send email to info@scbetdin.us and it will be sent to your address of record.