Conversion

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.

'If you’re connected to Judaism, you’ll be connected to Israel'

Arutz Sheva speaks with Dr. Irwin Leibowitz, the co-chair of the Am Echad organization.

Government plans commission to reexamine religious status quo

"Ultra-conservatism doesn't get us anywhere," says gov't official. "We need to decide: yes to this, no to that."

Rabbi Haim Amsalem slams Chief Rabbinate conversion decision

Prominent advocate for converts to Judaism criticizes Chief Rabbinate decision to cancel list of courts whose conversions are recognized.

Are you ready to convert?

The biggest challenge of the seder is not drinking 4 cups of wine or eating all that matza. It is fulfilling the crucial goal set here.

Shortly before the wedding: Groom's conversion ruled void

The difficult case shows that the Supreme Court ruling on Conservative and Reform conversions hurts all Israelis, including religious Jews.

More truths about accepting non-Orthodox conversions in Israel

Unintended consequences of the Supreme Court decision to recognize non-Orthodox conversion will trump all promises to the contrary. Op-ed.

Now Israeli citizenship is like a Las Vegas wedding

Is that the hope of 2,000 years that Israel wants?  A “Jewish State” for a “Jewish People” where no one knows who really is Jewish? Op-ed.

Chief Rabbi: Reform conversions 'aren't Jewish'

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, excoriates Reform conversions, calling them 'not Jewish'.

The Conversion controversy

The courts have no more right to opine on “who is a Jew” than they have to move Shabbat to Tuesday or Pesach to the winter. Opinion.

'We won't join coalition without solution to conversion crisis'

'The Reformists have made bar mitzvahs for their dogs, they are the ones comparing dogs to people,' MK Moshe Gafni says.

'Netanyahu has weakened, we'll overtake Gideon Sa'ar'

'We'll partner with as many right-wing components of the government as possible,' Yamina's MK Ayelet Shaked promises.

Conversion ruling 'very grave danger' to State of Israel

'Court wasn't demanding legislation on the issue, it was demanding legislation in line with its judges' view,' attorney Simcha Rotman says.

Becoming a Jew cannot be taken lightly

The danger is that Reform and Conservative conversions would allow fast-tracking naturalization of foreign laborers in Israel.Opinion.

Why is Conversion different?

Noone denies the Jewishness of someone whose mother was Jewish and follows Reform or Conservative religious practice or affiliation.Op-ed.

Leading European Rabbis: Keep conversion status quo

Conference of European Rabbis issues statement warning against "irresponsible" efforts to change how conversions are handled in Israel.

Interfaith marriage: An outreach rabbi's emotions at Hanukkah

Joe Biden has children who intermarried with Jews, a sad living symbol of what has happened to American Jewry.

From a Gaza mosque to an IDF combat unit fighting in Gaza

Yaron Avraham opens up about his journey to Judaism from radical Islam.

70-yr old gets circumcised, converts, and marries - in 1 month

Despite the virus & advanced age, a Haifa-area man from the former USSR converted to Judaism, was circumsiced & married in a 1-month period.

Former Noam party head sets up fund for free conversion therapy

Rabbi Dror Aryeh responds after bill to ban conversion therapy passes preliminary reading. 'Decree will increase youth suicides.'

MK Kahana slams Minister Deri's conversion law proposal

Yamina MK attacks Deri's proposal to enact new conversion law ensuring that only conversions in Israel approved by Rabbinate recognized.

New institute to help English-speakers convert to Judaism

Shavei Israel and Rabbinical Council of America to open English-language conversion institute in Jerusalem.

Ayelet Shaked:

'There's opportunity to select Zionist Chief Rabbi'

United Right Chair thinks conversion will challenge next gvmnt; 'Religion and state issues should move with consensus, not confrontation.'

'Bennett expresses the opinion of dozens of rabbis'

Rabbi Avraham Stav criticizes media personality Yedidya Meir, who lashed out at Naftali Bennet's proposed conversion reform.

52% of Israeli Jews want state to make conversion easier

Israeli Jews strongly divided over whether state-run conversion system should be more lenient to prospective converts.

The Passover problem that set me free

What happens when the son of a prominent Messianic leader leaves Christianity?

A river could be a tree - the story of Angela Himsel

From Heil Hitler - to a Kippah and tefillin

Until a year and a half ago, Yonatan was still called Lutz. In the past he congratulated his friends with "Heil Hitler." Now he is a Jew.

The "are they Jewish" game

Praise to the Chief Rabbinate for non-recognition of sham 'Conversion'

Everything you always wanted to know about conversion

In this informative show we discuss what the potential convert can expect from beginning the process to appearing for a Beit Din.

"My name wasn't always Chana"

A convert's dream come true. She knew, even then, that there was something more to life.

Conversion system head resigns

Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz resigns. MK Stern: 'Resignation attests to what we knew long ago about failure of State to deal with conversion issue.'

Ugandan student denied visa to study at Israeli yeshiva

Ugandan would-be student denied visa due to improperly performed conversion.

'Converts to Judaism suffering because of gov't failure to act'

Deputy Defense Minister calls on government to appoint empower Chief Rabbi to handle conversion matters, says delay harming converts.

Historic decision:

Government to recognize private conversion

Jerusalem court orders government to recognize private conversion performed by 'Giyur K'Halacha.'

Rabbinate will not recognize Israel-Arab singer's conversion

Rabbinate says that singer Nasreen Qadri converted through independent program, will not be recognized as Jewish.

Popular Arab singer becomes Jewish

Singer Nasreen Qadri, born to Muslim family, finishes conversion process on 32nd birthday, adopting a new name - 'Bracha.'

Rabbi Druckman: Conversion Law is good

Rabbi Haim Druckman says Moshe Nissim's Conversion Law outline would solve issue of illegitimate conversions, should not be opposed.

Rabbis' Conference: Cancel conversion plan

National religious and haredi rabbis express firm opposition to recommendations and call, 'bury Moshe Nissim's recommendations.'

Supreme Court temporarily blocks deportation of Ugandan Jew

Ugandan man who converted under auspices of Conservative movement given temporary reprieve from deportation.

Proposal would strip Chief Rabbinate of control over conversion

Why the plan for new conversion authority has haredi, religious-Zionist, Reform, and Conservative leaders up in arms.

Conservatives outraged Israel won't recognize Ugandan Jews

Interior Ministry rules not to recognize conversions of Ugandan Jews; Conservative Movement calls decision 'unlawful'.

Conversion committee recommendations cause trepidation

Rabbis call on Nissim Committee members who signed conversion recommendations to reverse position.

Dutch mosque: We converted 'Jewish nobleman' to Islam

A Dutch mosque says it converted a Holocaust survivor to Islam. Local Jews are skeptical.

Lost Jews: From China to Jerusalem

Five young women from China reconnect with their Jewish roots, convert to Judaism in emotional ceremony in Jerusalem.

Separating politics from the core conversion issue

Needed: Full disclosure before conversion

In this West African country, a Jewish community is forming

African community converts to Judaism, creating their country's first Jewish community.

Conversion: The real story of how to be a Jew

Everything you always wanted to know about conversion, but were afraid to ask.

Conservative movement sends angry letter to PM Netanyahu

Conservative movement slams Israel for not 'diversifying' determination of Judaism, calls status quo 'unconscionable.'

'The Chief Rabbinate cannot serve only a tiny minority'

Rabbi Yuval Cherlow says Chief Rabbinate cannot adopt only the most extreme interpretations of Jewish law, serve only a small group.

Ivanka, not Yael

Converts should be persuaded to change name, but if they refuse, court must convert without stipulating conversion on name change.

Arab man held captive for desire to convert to Judaism, join IDF

Israeli-Arab teen locked away by family after saying he wishes to become Jewish, join Israeli army.

Converts practice Pesach Seder

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Trump to Ivanka's rabbi: You're doing good work

Trump attends National Prayer Day breakfast, praises Ivanka's rabbi.