Would you say someone of 16-17 years old, who studied Judaism for over a year, and is learning Hebrew is old enough to convert if their parents say they don't mind?

I am the chair of the Rabbinical Council of America's Geirus policies and standards committee. We have converted people who match that profile as long as we are confident that they live in circumstances where they can live an observant lifestyle.

According to Jewish tradition, a Jewish male becomes an adult upon Bar Mitzvah at age 13. That offers adult responsibilities in our tradition, but does not accord majority in civil law. A change in status might be against the law prior to one’s 18th birthday.

 

The greatest desire would be for the family to rejoice in that their child had found meaning in religion, even if it is not the family’s faith. If that is not the case, the young person could celebrate and observe the beliefs and tenets of Judaism, and upon majority, undergo formal conversion. In this instance, believing oneself to be Jewish and observing the laws and customs of Judaism is tantamount to the formalization. One might refer to Contemporary American Reform Responsa, #50, 1984