I think another factor, in addition to recognizing Islam's purely monotheistic theology and some similarities with Judaism like its dietary laws and circumcision law, was that Muslims were threatened with death if they converted to another faith.
xkatz claimed "They don't accept converts."
Now they do. Several Ashkenazi Jewish women have been allowed to marry Samaritan men because they agreed to follow Samaritanism.
And a couple of Ukrainian women (presumably former Christians or atheists) did the same, as did former Muslim women from...
Some Jews actively proselytized in the Middle East during brief periods in history. Known examples include Adiabene in the first century of the common era and Yemen in the centuries that followed. These activities ceased with the rise of Islam.
There were some proselytizing efforts in Europe...
Karaite religious communities today mainly exist in the United States, Israel, the Crimea, and Lithuania. The community of Galician Karaites in western Ukraine is nearly extinct with, if I recall, just 2 members left.
I have developed friendships with a number of Karaites. There are interesting...
Caladan,
For 16 years my site Khazaria.com has provided a safe haven for those seeking to learn about the Khazars without distracting political or racist sentiments. Please visit any time to see the Khazars given a proper dose of respect.
Furthermore, my book The Jews of Khazaria, Second...