Conversion to Judaism

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.

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

A Spanish flag flutters in the air as the capital of Spain is seen from the observatory deck of Madrid's city hall August 7, 2013.

I traveled from Israel to Spain to convert new Jews. A single ‘Sababa’ made me feel safer - opinion


Under Your Wings: A gathering to celebrate, support Israel's converts to Judaism

The evening offered a rare chance for converts to come together, share their stories, and celebrate the blessings of their journeys.

Converts share their stories in a discussion circle at the Under Your Wings event.

'Yes! I am Jewish’: How a Jewish Korean princess was ordained as a rabbi - review

In her book Heart of a Stranger, Buchdahl tells the story of her life. She ends each chapter with a homily applying a sacred text to contemporary faith, values, and behavior.

ANGELA BUCHDAHL in 2013. She was ordained as a cantor in 1999 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion before going on to become a rabbi.

When did Israel become so stringent with Jewish converts? - opinion

One organizer told a rabbi in her conversion interview: "You can’t force me to stop being Jewish any more than I can be forced to convert to Christianity or Islam.”

HOMES ARE severely damaged after the Hamas October 7 massacre in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. ‘Since October 7, many of my friends and colleagues here in Israel have wrestled deeply with their Jewish identity,’ says Orah.

Shavuot's special significance: Recognizing those who converted to Judaism

This identification of Israel with the Almighty is so profound that Shavuot was transformed into the concept of a spiritual marriage between God and the Jewish people.

 READING FROM the Torah in synagogue: Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments. These commandments, like the Torah, offer stories, insights, values and actions as ways in to God

Leading haredi rabbi apologizes for accusing rabbinic org. Tzohar of conversions for money

A settlement was recently reached in the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, requiring Rabbi Yosef to issue a public apology both in writing and during his weekly class.

 Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, grandson of former Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef.

Journey of faith, sustainability: Encountering Jewish convert communities in El Salvador - opinion

Individuals from Christian backgrounds, descendants of those forcefully converted during Inquisition times, drawn to Judaism, over time coalesced into small communities.

 THE WRITER dines with members of the Beit Israel community at the Beit Israel Center in San Salvador, enjoying an authentic traditional breakfast.

Chaya Bisker: From Colombia’s high court to a new life in Israel

“If what I discovered is true and the Jewish people are the chosen people, I no longer want to be Catholic.”

 Chaya and Chaim (Fernando) Bisker.

Three Jewish converts in Mexico are trying to make aliyah. A rabbinic decree won't let them

A long-standing rabbinic decree in Mexico refuses to recognize converts and admit them into Jewish communities, preventing converts from making aliyah.

 Oskar, Rodrigo, and Gustavo Rivera receive their conversion to Judaism certificates.

Christian monk, Jewish convert, Israeli: One man's journey to Judaism

William Karon’s spiritual path to Judaism was generations in the making.

 WILLIAM (second right) at his ‘huppah,’ with his wife at their wedding.

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles