Conversion Bill

The Matan Kahana miracle

Authoritative rabbinic leaders and Chief Rabbis from everywhere asked him to drop the conversion reforms, but he refused. Op-ed..

Blow to coalition:

American rabbis come out against conversion reform

After Min. Kahana visits US, rabbis from major American Jewish organizations warn conversion reform will 'divide Israelis even further.'

Husband of coalition chair: 'Conversion reform won't happen'

Shmulik Silman, husband of MK Idit Silman, says, 'Everyone has red lines, she won't sell her portion in the World to Come.'

Bypassing Knesset vote:

Religious Affairs Min. to pass Conversion Law as gov't decision

Conversion plan to be approved by government in coming weeks, implemented before Knesset vote.

Organization leader:

'State of Israel is bluntly distancing Diaspora Jews'

Minister Ayelet Shaked tells delegation: No changes in Western Wall status quo unless accepted by all.

Instant Jews

A short story. It is as if the politicians said: For every Jewish baby you bring into the world, we will make Instant Jews out of 100 goyim.

'They're breaching the entry gate to the Jewish People'

Shas party's Council of Torah Sages publishes letter calling on rabbis to join conference protesting conversion reforms.

The Conversion Bill will cause more problems than it solves

There are hundreds of thousands of non-Jewish Israelis not interested in a halakhic conversion or a lifestyle of any Torah observance.Op-ed.

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.

15 judges cannot decide who is a Jew

The Supreme Court has ruled on conversion, a topic which is not theirs to decide. Opinion.

MK Betzalel Smotrich: 'We'll support State Conversion Law'

Internal Yamina confrontation over bill initiated by Minister Aryeh Deri that states Israel will only recognize state conversion system.

Senior rabbis: Don't disqualify conversion plan

Religious Zionist rabbis warn disqualifying conversion law formulated by former Minister Moshe Nissim would strengthen Reform conversions.

The Kotel Compromise and the Conversion Bill

MK Stern: 'Revive original conversion law'

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chair asked to apply 'continuity law' to proposal allowing city rabbis to perform conversions.

Leading rabbis to Netanyahu: Be strong

Leading Religious Zionist rabbis sign declaration of support for PM after Reform, Conservative outcry over Kotel Plan and Conversion Law.

57% of Likud's voters oppose haredi parties' conversion bill

Nearly 2/3 of Israelis think municipal rabbis should be allowed to perform conversions.

'MKs who vote for conversion bill not welcome in Chicago'

President of Jewish Federation of Chicago says organization will refuse to host any MK who votes in favor of conversion bill.

Watch: Haredi UTJ Party Releases First-Ever Facebook Video

Techno music accompanies unofficial UTJ clip featuring scintillating foosball action... don't miss it.

MK Stern: Conversion Law a Political, Not Religious, Issue

Stern tells Arutz Sheva about his controversial conversion reforms - and why he thinks Chief Rabbinate may be forced to concede.

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin: Hareidim Are the Biggest 'Reformers'

Efrat Rabbi slams conversion law critics, accuses them of pushing people away instead of following commandment to love converts.

The Amended Conversion Law: Problems and Pitfalls

Government Approves Conversion Compromise

All of the ministers except Jewish Home's Uri Ariel voted in favor of allowing local rabbinical conversion courts.

Minister Requests Additional Funding to Help Converts

Housing Minister Uri Ariel requests additional budget of NIS 45 million, including funds to help converts prove their Jewishness.

Conversion Law: Return of the 'Druckman Compromise'

Knesset expected to ratify less extreme version of bill Sunday that doesn't recognize reform conversion.

Exposed: Leftist Pact With Arab MKs for Conversion Bill Votes

Hatnua and Yesh Atid support appeal against Arab MK Zoabi's Knesset ban in return for Arab vote for controversial Conversion Bill.

Knesset Vote Set on Controversial Conversion Bill

Bill submitted for Monday vote, with rabbis warning it will prevent conversions being recognized in Israel and abroad.

Chief Rabbis Warn PM: Converts Under New Bill Won't Be Jews

Chief Rabbis won't give recognition for conversions under new bill that removes their supervision, after world rabbis say the same.

Breaking News

Conversion Bill Approved for Second, Third Readings

Constitutional Committee rejects appeal by religious parties to revise controversial bill.

'Netanyahu Must Choose – Us or Livni'

MK Rabbi Ben Dahan says if Hatnua brings Conversion Bill to a vote, Jewish Home will have to leave coalition.

Chief Rabbi Praises PM's Conversion Decision

Netanyahu's move to shelve conversion liberalization wins him accolades from Chief Sephardic Rabbi.

Chetboun Lauds PM's 'Brave' Decision on Conversion

Jewish Home MK says Netanyahu 'preferred the unity of the Jewish people to the unity of the coalition'.

Report: Netanyahu Planning Spring Elections

Speculations rampant that Netanyahu's shelving of Conversion Bill is meant to strengthen alliance with hareidim ahead of new elections.

Report: Netanyahu Nixes Conversion Bill

Prime Minister torpedoes bill sponsored by Tzipi Livni's party following heavy pressure from hareidim. Will Livni leave the coalition?

Exclusive to Arutz Sheva

What's the Solution to Israel's Conversion Controversy?

Dept. Minister of Religions, MK Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, says there is only one way to diffuse the crisis threatening to split the Jewish world.

World Rabbis Warn Israeli Converts Won't Be Recognized

Chief Rabbi David Lau meets with rabbis in London, who tell him controversial new conversion bill threatens to split Jewish world.

Bennett Vows to Fight 'Anti-Jewish' Legislation

Netanyahu and Bennett agree that Conversion Bill will not pass against wishes of Jewish Home.

Conversion Requires Acceptance of Mitzvahs

Conversion Bill could Divide the Nation, Warns Legislator

MK Motti Yogev pleads with bill's author, MK Elazar Stern, to rethink establishment of independent religious courts.

Hareidi MK Accuses Reform Movement Leader of 'Extortion'

MK Moshe Gafni demands Reform Movement head Gilad Kariv be removed from stormy committee meeting for 'hutzpah'.

Coalition in Crisis over Conversion Bill

Jewish Home MKs say if bill presented by MK Stern is approved, they'll start voting against the Coalition, at least until next week.

Hatnua Backed Controversial Bills in Exchange for Conversion Law

Livni’s party agreed to back three controversial bills in exchange for govt. support for its own contested legislation.

Conversions Controversy

Hareidi Uproar Over Conversion Bill is 'Cheap Politics'

Deputy minister says hareidi MKs ‘upset’ over bill they themselves approved, claims they are simply 'looking for a fight'.