Conversion

Conversion Subversion

The essence of Gerut is Kabbalat Ha-Mitzvot – acceptance of the Torah and its commandments – for this is what it means to be a Jew.

A soul in search of an authentic Orthodox Jewish Conversion

Part 1 of 2. Welcome to the experiences of a rav of 43 years who has served in “kiruv”/outreach settings as well as in major cities. What may sound funny to Judaic Insiders can be tragic to Outsiders trying to find a portal in.

On L.A. pogroms, scared college Jews, and a Rabbi who led

The violent American encampments and the L.A. riot were not pogroms. So, then, what are they? They are violent attacks that -- very easily — could have been suppressed immediately by real Jews. Op-ed..

Investigation:

Rabbinate approved conversion courts illegally

Chief Rabbinate staff allegedly added two courts from overseas to the list of approved conversion courts despite them not completing the strict process to do so.

Supreme Court upends Israeli child adoption conversion policy

Orthodox monopoly on conversion and adoption of non-Jewish children up for adoption comes to an end after 20-year court case.

Lionel Richie’s daughter joins ReformJudaism

Sofia Richie, daughter of singer Lionel Richie, marries Jewish music executive after Reform conversion.

Devorah Rut bat Sarah:

Fox News journalist Kassy Dillon converts to Judaism

The journalist explained that after a long process, she completed Orthodox conversion.

Reconversion

Someone born to a Jewish mother who intermarried and who was raised a Christian would now like to live as a Jew. What is the halakha?

Former Religious Affairs Min:

'I support tightening Law of Return'

Former minister Kahana supports changing the Grandfather Clause and emphasizes: 'Conversion can only be according to Orthodox law.

Repealing Grandchild Clause won't impact immigration from US

Over past decade, just 67 US citizens utilized clause to gain Israeli citizenship.

The character of the Gaon Rabbi Shamai Ginzburg (1905-1997)

Rabbi Shamai Ginzburg, one of the heroes of the Vienna conversion affair, was a Gur Hasid and an avid Zionist.

Conflicting stereotypes in contemporary antisemitism

Different antisemitic stereotypes are applied by antisemites to Jews, Jews to antisemites, and Jews to themselves. Op-ed..

The end of the Vienna Conversion Affair

Close to the decisive meeting on the issue, Rabbi Unterman was put under tremendous pressure by extremists not to accept the conversions..

The Vienna conversion affair

In the year 1969, the Jewish Agency succeeded in rescuing a few Jews from the USSR. Read what happened to them in Vienna.

Popular Jewish French comedian Gad Elmaleh converting to Catholicism

Gad Elmaleh's success was a source of pride and comfort for French Jews living under specter of antisemitism.

Watch: Controversial influencer Andrew Tate converts to Islam

The former kickboxer who's been banned from a number of social media platforms says liberals are 'brain-washing' children.

Conversion controversy:

Judge recognizes non-Rabbinate conversions

Two women will now be allowed to immigrate under Law of Return.

Are too many Germans converting to Judaism?

'The very large number of new Jews has led to a considerable change in Jewish life in Germany.'

Clarification of the strict opinion on Conversion

The first mention of cancellation in case of non-observance of mitzvot appears in the ‘Beit Yitzchak’ responsa about a hundred years ago.

Avigail's conversion: From choosing a school to World Bnei Akiva

Avigail Minster speaks to Israel National News about the path that led her from discovering Judaism to converting over a decade later.

Questions that arose regarding Conversion

The objective in conversion requiring only observance of tradition is those families who have taken root here and are aware of traditions.

The dispute over Conversion and the Heter Mechira

Similarities can be drawn between the controversies over the heter mechira and conversion to what is called traditional Jewish observance.

The Chief Rabbinate and Conversion: Two stories

Two stories showing the extent of religious observance demanded by the rabbinate for conversion.

Op-ed:

Amend the Law of Return

What interest of the Jewish people is advanced by pretending that Gentiles are quasi-Jews, “traditional” but not religious? Opinion.

Conversion reform:

Avigdor Liberman: Chief Rabbinate left with too much power

Minister Kahana rejects criticisms, accuses Liberman of refusing to meet with him to iron out differences.

We do not cherry-pick or forum-shop Judaic minority opinions

Matan Kahana argues to adopt completely unacceptable minority viewpoints as the Judaic law of the land. Op-ed.

The green goggles of faith and Min.Kahana’s conversion proposals

Every legal system engenders cogent minority viewpoints from great scholars. But we do not light 8 candles the 1st night of Chanukah.Op-ed.

The Parsha and Current Events: anti-Semites, bacon & churches

The ABC of what is happening now.

Fleeing Hebron, Palestinian siblings look to convert to Judaism

Threats, abuse, and honor killings: How a Palestinian Arab teen and her brother ended up in Israel, with plans to convert and join the IDF

Getting off the fence

Why is it important that Jews survive if we are not going to observe the Torah? What would the world be missing if there were no Jews?Op-ed.

Chief Rabbis: New Conversion Law is based on deceit

Those who 'convert' according to Kahana's law won't be recognized as Jews by vast majority of rabbis, warn Israel's chief rabbis.

30 bottom lines on Min, Matan Kahana's "Conversion Reforms”

With Jewish lineage chaos beyond control in the US , the Chief Rabbinate is the unifying force for maintaining Jewish authenticity, Op-ed

Conversion reforms to be brought for vote on Sunday

Minister Kahana's bill, written with help of senior religious Zionist rabbis, stipulates conversions must be done according to Torah law.

Kahana: I want to limit terms of office of local rabbis

Religious Affairs Minister explains that doing so will lead to "more communities that feel connected to Judaism."

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu: Kahana beholden to Meretz, leftists

Hundreds of rabbis demonstrate against conversion reforms. Safed Chief Rabbi says reform dangerous to Judaism.

Chief Rabbis to lead rally against government reforms

Israel's leading religious authorities have issued an 'emergency call to action' against proposed reforms in religious services in Israel.

Religious-Zionist youth to hold protest march against government

Religious Affairs Minister: "Protesting is best use of one's citizenship rights; I have no problem with people protesting my policies."

PM to haredi MK: 'Drawback' that haredim aren't in government

'We won't always agree, but we're not trying to be contrarian to you,' PM Bennett tells MK Meir Porush.

Chief Rabbi Lau: The Knesset won't decide who is a Jew

"A Jew is someone who commits to Torah observance, regardless of any legislation the Knesset may pass."

Rabbi Eitan Eizman: Rabbinate must discuss conversion reform

Leading Religious Zionist rabbi calls on Chief Rabbinate to hold dialogue with Religious Affairs Minister on 'good' conversion law.

Chief Rabbi: Torah leaders objected to municipal conversions

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef slams leading Religious Zionist rabbi for agreeing in principle to allowing municipal rabbis to perform conversions.

The conversion challenge

The consequences of the conversion reforms, if passed, will be dire and it is not just the split that will occur in the Jewish world. Op-ed.

An open letter to the Hon. MK Mansour Abbas, head of Ra'am

Arafat only got to start intifadas. You actually get the deciding vote in the Knesset on who is a Jew. This is what is at stake.Op-ed

Rabbi David Stav: Abuse needs to be 'uprooted from our society'

Rabbi David Stav, chair of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, says that the Chaim Walder case has been an "ugly hour."

Jerusalem Chief Rabbi opposes conversion reforms

Former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar issues ruling against conversion reforms proposed by Minitser Kahana.

Danger for the Jewish people!

A demand addressed to MK Kalfon from a French immigrant.

'Fire the Chief Rabbi'

Yisrael Beytenu accuses Chief Rabbi Lau of "crossing a red line," calls on Religious Affairs Minister to summon him to disciplinary hearing.

Religious Affairs Minister: I hope Rabbi Lau changes his mind

Kahana: Chief Rabbi's decision to cease authorizing conversions "solely because a certain official did not have his tenure extended."

Chief Rabbi David Lau's letter to the Prime Minister

"It is within your power to prevent an irreparable rift in the Jewish People and stop this conversion reform from advancing."

Unintended results of Min. Matan Kahana's conversion plan

We will find US halakhic authorities in RCA and OU subjecting Israeli converts coming to the US to lineage investigations. And worse. Op-ed

Haredi yeshiva student discovers he's not Jewish

Yeshiva student stunned to learn his mother is not Jewish, undergoes conversion.

European Rabbis: Making conversion easier leads to assimilation

Leaders of Conference of European Rabbis warn in letter to PM, Kahana of potential disaster for tens of thousands of Israelis in Europe.

Ali/Eliya Hassan: A shock wave In the Syrian Jewish community

This is an appalling tragedy of errors of Shakepearian proportions that has pierced the hearts of many. Opinion.

Yisrael Beytenu submits bill to transform conversions

'Yulia Malinovsky is simply bored and looking to pick fights,' sources tell Arutz Sheva.

Who is a Jew?

A short story. About an age-old history.

Three generations convert to Judaism together on the same day

Mother, daughter, and granddaughter living in Israel convert to Judaism together at private Orthodox rabbinic court.

Jewish-born man returns to Judaism after years as a Muslim

"A" turned to Lehava organization for help in returning to his roots. He is now becoming religiously observant.

The limits of competition - Israel and kashrut

How odd that Israel would want to revert to the old American-Jewish decentralized system that was so chaotic that it was abandoned! Op-ed.

Converts' Judaism upheld despite use of false identities

Rabbinic Supreme Court, in precedent-setting ruling, finds conversion of people who falsely claimed to be bothers and sisters to be valid.

Former telenovela star: Converting to Judaism 'the natural' step

One of Latin America's most popular telenovela and movie stars shocked her fans when she converted to Judaism - and moved to Israel.