The Conversion of the Jews Study Guide

As this story begins, two Jewish boys, Itzie Lieberman and Ozzie Freedman, are having an argument about the existence of Jesus Christ and the circumstances of his birth. Itzie, like Rabbi Binder, the boys' Hebrew schoolteacher, does not believe that Jesus was born of a virgin; rather he believes that Mary conceived Jesus in the usual way, through sexual intercourse. Ozzie argues that if it is possible for God to create heaven and earth, why is it so unreasonable to assume He can also arrange for a virgin birth? Ozzie tells his friend that when he posed this question to Rabbi Binder the previous day, he raised the ire of his teacher who demanded to meet with his mother. Since this is the third time such a meeting is needed, Ozzie finds himself in danger of not being having a bar-mitzvah. (read more)