Conversion to Judaism

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.
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.

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

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.

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

 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

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


Fearing court will accept Reform, Conservative converts, gov't seeks delay

“Worried that the decision by the High Court will confirm that there is more than one way to be a Jew.”

Female rabbi being ordained (illustration)

Transformational journey

Angel Himsel’s memoir of her conversion to Judaism is a beautiful read.

ANGELA HIMSEL found herself ‘turning spiritually south, toward Jerusalem.’

Answering ‘amen’

She was raised Protestant, became Catholic, then joined the Orthodox [Eastern] Church when she began “looking for more theology.”

RUTH ELLEN HANSEN YAHR FROM MILWAUKEE TO SAFED, 1995

Conversion authority head resigns in protest over ‘wronging of converts’

Rabbi Yitzhak Peretz submitted his letter of resignation earlier this week.

ACTIVISTS TAKE part in a demonstration in Jerusalem in July against legislation that would have strengthened the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over conversion in Israel

Court orders Interior Ministry to register private Orthodox convert as Jew

The Interior Ministry has defied the spirit of a High Court of Justice ruling for 18 months by refusing to register as Jewish a woman who converted in a private, Orthodox rabbinical court.

The Western Wall in Jerusalem

Filipino guest workers come to Israel... and decide to embrace Judaism

While many Filipinos come to Israel for a few years to make money in a developed economy, the Lopez family converted to Judaism. And as of May, they still hadn’t told their Filipino friends.

Friday afternoon in the Filipino shuk, outside Evelyn’s Market, brings customers from all over Tel Aviv and Israel

It happened to my family. It can happen to yours.

“It’s sad and so unfair. Did you see how proud she was tonight? But unless someone figures out how to fix things she’s going to wake up one day and find out...”

The Rabbinical Court of Tel Aviv

Analysis: Rabbis squabbling over conversion while Jerusalem burns

The endless rabbinical squabbling and dallying over conversion will ultimately seal the fate of the Jewish population in the Jewish state

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen in the foreground as the Dome of the Rock is seen in the background February 15, 2017

Conversion proposals dead on arrival after haredi rejection

Chief Rabbis Yitzhak Yosef and David Lau called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reject Nissim’s recommendations.

THE JERUSALEM conversion office of the Chief Rabbinate

ASK THE RABBI: Converting minors to solve Israel’s conversion crisis

Israeli society is rapidly growing two types of ‘Jewish Israeli’ populations.

NAOMI ENTREATING [famous convert] Ruth and Orpah to return to the land of Moab, by William Blake, 1795