Progressive Judaism in Britain is experiencing increased adult conversions, with numbers rising significantly over the past five years. Figures indicate conversions climbed from 78 in 2020 to 183 in 2025, according to data shared with media outlets. Progressive Judaism represents approximately one-third of the British Jewish population.
Rabbi Jonathan Romain, who oversees the rabbinic court for Progressive Judaism, attributes the rise to several factors beyond traditional reasons like interfaith partnerships. The Covid-19 pandemic, expanded religious education offerings in schools, and the popularity of DNA testing have all contributed to increased interest. Romain notes that some individuals have discovered Jewish ancestry through genetic testing and subsequently explored the religious and cultural dimensions of that heritage. Historically, conversions were more commonly driven by romantic relationships with Jewish partners, but this pattern has shifted.
Multiple individuals who have converted describe finding appeal in Progressive Judaism’s inclusive approach and emphasis on questioning. Converts highlight the movement’s welcoming stance toward LGBTQ individuals, female rabbis, and the compatibility of atheism with Jewish identity. The diversity within Judaism, encompassing Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Liberal branches, attracts those seeking pluralistic religious spaces. Additionally, Romain observes that converts increasingly come from varied ethnic and national backgrounds, reflecting Britain’s multicultural character.
For some individuals, conversion represents a return to inherited traditions. One 65-year-old woman reconnected with Judaism after caring for her father and discovering her great-grandparents’ graves, subsequently learning about her family’s history and the faith she had left. Others described conversion as feeling natural and right, with one convert noting the shift in observance, such as moving Sabbath observance from Sunday to Saturday, became an integral part of her routine.
Rabbi Romain emphasizes that community and human connection represent significant draws of Judaism, particularly in an increasingly fragmented society. He notes that while Judaism does not actively proselytize, the faith maintains strong community bonds and emphasizes ethical conduct toward others as central to religious practice.
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