That's an unfair characterization... Judaism is NOT "for Jews only." The reluctance to convert comes from centuries of forced conversion by others against the Jews, as well as the belief that if one wants to become Jewish, they will be welcomed, but the initiation needs to come from those who wish to convert.
There's a saying though, that not everyone was born to be a Jew, meaning that if you're going to be an observant, religious Jew, there are many obligations, and many people are simply not willing or able to perform those obligations. Including the vast majority of Jews.
Mark
"There's a saying though, that not everyone was born to be a Jew, meaning that if you're going to be an observant, religious Jew, there are many obligations, and many people are simply not willing or able to perform those obligations. Including the vast majority of Jews."
Actually, no human can fulfill those obligations...Hence that whole Messiah thing ;-)