Conversion

Proposed Law of Return amendment sparks debate over conversion standards in Israel

Religious coalition lawmakers frame the bill as a return to halachic conversion standards, while opponents say it would hand the religious establishment greater control over Jewish identity

 THE EXPECTATION that citizens should roam the length and breadth of the country in order to find an appointment slot somewhere to renew a passport is preposterous.
RAISING THE flag before prayer services in the field.

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

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

 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,

Israel’s conversion crisis is becoming an aliyah crisis - opinion


Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Number of converts to Judaism rising since Oct. 7

Since October 7, Rabbi Rick Jacobs has focused on mobilizing the Reform movement as it rallies behind Israel while also confronting the rising antisemitism in North America

 Rabbi Rick Jacobs at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv.

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.

 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.

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

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.

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

Gaza mosques to Jerusalem synagogues: A radical Islamist's journey to Judaism

Almost nothing in the appearance of Yaron Avraham, a religious Jew, can provide any hint of his past life and horrible childhood experiences.

 YARON AVRAHAM wearing his IDF uniform and tefillin.

Israel owes David Ben Avraham a Jewish burial - editorial

Despite his conversion not being recognized, this man persevered through so much grief in his life and deserves the chance to be buried next to people of his chosen faith.

Har HaMenuchot cemetery, Jerusalem

Rabbis call for convert killed by IDF to be buried in a Jewish cemetery

The 63-year-old victim, whom the soldiers suspected of being a security risk, was known as David Ben Avraham by Jews who knew him, but was born Saamach Zeitoun.

The Jewish Cemetery on the Mount of Olives

IDF probes soldiers for mistakenly killing Palestinian convert to Judaism

The shooting incident on Thursday morning raised several questions, as the man who was shot, a Jewish convert, did not show indications of an attack.

 Israeli security forces at the scene of a suspected terror attack near Elazar, in Gush Etzion, in the West Bank, on March 21, 2024.

Conversion crisis: Israeli gov't circumcision tender delay leaves 100 in 'torture'

Only seven medical circumcisions had been performed since April 2023, according to data presented to the Knesset.

A rabbi holds an eight-day-old baby during a circumcision ceremony in Brussels, August 20, 2009.

Israeli public ready for relaxation of conversion laws - poll

The much-politicized issue of Jewish conversions has seen Israel’s left and right-wing debate the merits of halachic conversion and what should be considered a legitimate conversion for decades.

 President of the Supreme Court of Israel Esther Hayut and all fifteen justices assemble to hear petitions against the reasonableness standard law in the High Court in Jerusalem, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.