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.

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

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

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


Nativ: Helping IDF lone soldiers become halachically Jewish

The "Magazine" sat down with four young IDF soldiers who opened up about their reasons for why they chose to undergo conversion to Judaism.

 122 SOLDIERS graduating from the Nativ military conversion program celebrate at the Kotel, May 2022.

Lionel Richie's daughter converts to Judaism

Sofia Richie revealed that she had been attending conversion classes ahead of her marriage to Elliot Grainge.

Country Music Association Awards - Arrivals - Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., 14/11/2018 - Lionel Richie

The Lost Tribes of Israel: Who are their descendants today?

There is a group of people looking to uncover the truth behind the lost tribes in order to determine where they went and to integrate them back into the Jewish people.

 TWELVE TRIBES mosaic (Middle candelabrum modified).

Mainstream religious Zionist rabbi appointed head of Conversion Authority

A new head of the Conversion Authority has been appointed by the Prime Minister's Office.

 The building of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is located in Jerualem.

Family seeks recognition for ancestor forcibly recruited to Ottoman army, died in service

The Turkish army forced Moshe Efroni, one of the pioneers of the first aliyah, to enlist during the First World War, else he be deported with his family back to Russia.

 The surrender of Jerusalem, December 9, 1917.

Changes to the Law of Return won't affect majority of US Jews - exclusive

99% of US olim are Jewish or are first-degree relatives of Jews. In contrast, about 70% of former USSR olim aren't considered Jewish.

 New immigrants from USA and Canada arrive on a special " Aliyah Flight 2016" on behalf of Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, at Ben Gurion airport in central Israel on August 17, 2016,

Netanyahu had no reason to give in to Maoz's demands - editorial

Netanyahu did not have to compromise his own beliefs and cave in to each of Maoz’s demands – in fact, he could have formed a stable coalition without him.

Noam Party leader Avi Maoz poses for a picture at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 19, 2021.

An Evangelical’s journey to Judaism, Israel – and love of soccer

Frankie McLean, who for decades has been known as Sarit Edri, recently shared her incredible and impressive journey to Judaism and Israel. Now she's returned to soccer.

 WITH FAMILY.

The Zionist essence: Not political, not religious, just a path home

Zionism is a path toward home. Zionism has no political adherence. It is neither a calling for expansion nor a religious movement.

 YAEL ROZENMAN-ISMAEL (speaking at Jerusalem’s Begin Center): Zionism is a path toward home.

Israel must be open home to all Jews, Lapid tells American Jewish leaders

Lapid on Wednesday afternoon met with representatives of 50 Jewish organizations from all denominations at the office of the United Jewish Appeal in New York.

 Prime Minister Yair Lapid meets with US Jewish community leaders in New York on September 21, 2022