Conversion to Judaism

When someone like Dolgopyat has grown up his entire life as a Jew and as an Israeli, the nuts and bolts of Judaism are part of his cultural upbringing.

This decision to deny me the right of return directly contradicted the opinion of the Jewish Agency, the Tzohar rabbinate and the clear standards set forth in the law.

Hiding behind the claim that eating meat was not forbidden, is not the Judaism that strives to rectify the world and do the moral, good and right thing in the eyes of God.

Jewish studies departments should ensure that their teaching celebrates and engages with the racial and cultural diversity of the Jewish community worldwide.

Every convert to Judaism makes a journey across religious, cultural and emotional frontiers. One of the milestones on that journey is the moment when antisemitism ceases to be theoretical.

Ever since some one million immigrants came to Israel from former Soviet countries, a battle has been waged over conversion.

Not only does it pave the way for Jews of all streams to be eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return, it also sends a message that the Orthodox monopoly on Israel is not sustainable.

Time and again I have heard a non-Orthodox convert react with shock at the idea that their conversion isn’t valid according to Halacha. Why aren’t they being told this to begin with?

The real struggles have not been about who is a Jew but about who will decide who is a Jew

This move, we believe, will help foster in Israel a less coercive Orthodoxy and worldwide will embrace all of our people as part of Am Yisrael, with a shared past and shared future.