Conversion to Judaism

Making it official: Inside the Nativ program training IDF soldiers to 'join the tribe'

Nativ began with a Trustee Committee in 1998 and was adopted as a military program in 2000. To date, over 58,000 soldiers have begun the program, and close to 20,000 have completed conversion.

MAY 2, 2026|ByJUDITH SEGALOFF

RAISING THE flag before prayer services in the field.

Kidist Mengistu, a lone soldier from Ethiopia, was surprised by her mother at the Western Wall for bat mitzvah ceremony, Februrary 23, 2026.

IDF lone soldiers mark bar and bat mitzvah at Western Wall, including some family surprises

The event was organized by Ach Gadol (Big Brother for Lone Soldiers), a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentorship and community support for soldiers serving in Israel without immediate family.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Ehud Barak, a former prime minister of Israel, announces the establishment of a new political party that he will lead, in Tel Aviv, June 26, 2019.

Former Moscow rabbi says he rebuffed proposal to convert Russians discussed in Epstein recording

The proposal sought to bring converted Russians to Israel as a demographic strategy aimed at preserving Israel's Jewish majority.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026|ByASAF ELIA-SHALEV/JTA

An Argentine oleh (new immigrant to Israel) who made aliyah 20 years ago celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Eilat after a long period of conversion.

Argentinian oleh celebrates his Bar Mitzvah, conversion to Judaism 20 years after making aliyah

Ariel Weintraub, an Argentinian-Israeli who has been living in the country for the past 20 years, decided to fully convert to Judaism after connecting with his Jewish coworkers.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

AUGUST 16, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Fighting for their identity: Amos and Rivka Minster on their Journey to Judaism and Israel

Amos and Rivka Minster converted to Judaism under the official auspices of the state but had to fight to receive their official Israeli identification.

AUGUST 10, 2024ByALAN ROSENBAUM

AMOS AND RIVKA Minster smile upon receiving their official Israeli ID cards.

Rabbi helps two incarcerated men convert to Judaism

Terlinchamp told JTA that she felt comfortable writing a letter to the Department of Corrections advocating that one's life sentence be reduced to 20 years, citing his conversion work as a reason.

JULY 18, 2024ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Ari Kingsman, left, and Joshua Phillips both converted to Judaism while incarcerated.

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JULY 5, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

JUNE 28, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Converts need our support: Let's not forget them - opinion

Two years ago, a new nonprofit organization called Ohev Ger was founded to care for converts on the “day after” conversion, to promote their success and smooth their integration in Israel.

JUNE 16, 2024ByDAVID M. WEINBERG

OHEV GER holds a meeting with directors and converts of the Nativ conversion programs.

After undergoing Orthodox conversion, Noa Arazi is helping others do the same

Arazi has devoted much of her time to helping prospective converts learn about the conversion process, drawing from her own conversion experiences on social media.

MAY 10, 2024ByALAN ROSENBAUM