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Converts become part of the Jewish people in the same way the Israelites did when they entered into their covenant with God after leaving Egypt: through circumcision, immersion, and acceptance of Torah and mitzvot.
Once potential converts have studied the basics of faith and the commandments, they must stand before a court of three rabbis (acting as the representatives of God and the Jewish people) and declare they accept the Torah and mitzvot upon themselves, the way the Jewish people did collectively at Mount Sinai. If the convert is male, he must then undergo the ritual of circumcision. Finally, the convert must immerse in a mikveh. (Before immersing, the convert again declares acceptance of Torah and mitzvot.) Emerging from the mikveh, the conversion complete, the individual has joined the Jewish people.
