The Cairo, Illinois 
Jewish Population Boom

The small town in southern Illinois, has a brand new Jewish community... of 55 African American ‘Jews by choice.’  This amazing story, with strong St. Louis connections, is now getting international play in the Jewish press in The Forward and Israel’s Ha’aretz newspapers. 

In spring, 2006, Rabbi Lynn Goldstein of congregation Kol Haneshama received a phone call from a gentleman in Cairo, Illinois (pronounced KAYrow). Phillip Matthews told Goldstein he wanted to learn more about Judaism. Eventually – so did his siblings and a widening circle of family and friends.

Rabbi Goldstein says these people were determined, dedicated and of modest means. Every other week, a growing number of Cairo adults, teens and children travelled 170 miles to St. Louis to study for conversion with Goldstein. They met at her house for 8- hour sessions. Some of the students' cars literally gave out from the wear and tear. 

Goldstein says she's never seen anything like it.  “Working with these individuals has been very inspirational and moving for me.  Their love for Judaism and dedication to learning ... and their willingness to put themselves on the line to become Jewish is unparalleled in my experience.”
 
Goldstein coordinated field trips to Jewish institutions and events. Field trips included the Holocaust Museum, Kohn's a Dan Nichols concert at Congregation Shaare Emeth and a Jewish learning event. On a field trip to United Hebrew, Cantor Ron Eichaker was told the students had never heard Kol Nidre. With no time to prepare, Eichaker obliged – and then went on to improvise an hour-long concert of Jewish music from around the world.

Candidates for Jewish conversion must appear, individually, before a panel of three rabbis to answer questions – and receive approval. Goldstein says the Cairo conversions would represent "more conversions than we do in an entire year in St. Louis. Most reform and conservative rabbis in town participated and were absolutely wonderful and supportive"

All told, 13 rabbis in St. Louis - three in Memphis, Tennessee and another from Baltimore, MD participated in the conversion process for this group of 44 adults and 11 children. (St. Louis Rabbis are listed below.) Reform and conservative clergy donated their time in the spring and summer of 2007 to participate in Batei Din (Rabbinic panels). 

The Jewish Federation of Southern Illinois paid the fees for each adult and child to use the Memphis Jewish community’s mikvah. And the story is still far from over.  Because, of course, Jewish learning is a lifelong commitment. So, now Rabbi Goldstein is trying to find internet-ready donated computers to help the new converts engage in long-distance Jewish learning (without the travel, of course). 

Obviously, these new "Jews by Choice" made significant sacrifices and showed a strong commitment throughout this complicated and difficult journey.  Goldstein says they are already encountering some of the real life challenges faced by Jews - including anti-Semitism in their own community.

What's next? Rabbi Goldstein hears there are 12 new Cairo conversion candidates waiting in the wings. To be continued...

In the media:
Rural Converts Journey Into Judaism
Dozens of Cairo’s residents — all African American and ranging from toddler to senior citizen — visited a mikveh in Memphis on December 9 and took the plunge into conversion.
Read the full story in The Forward' - or -