Conversion

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

The gates of aliyah and the gates of conversion were meant to stand side by side. It is time to open them both.

|BySETH FARBER
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,
Soldiers praying at the Kotel in 2013.

'I never had a bar mitzvah,' lone soldiers from Ethiopia to celebrate at the Western Wall

The ceremony is expected to bring together soldiers and soldiers without immediate family in Israel, many of whom immigrated alone and joined the Israel Defense Forces.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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

The proposal sought to bring converted Russians to Israel as a demographic strategy aimed at preserving Israel's Jewish majority.

|ByASAF ELIA-SHALEV/JTA
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

Ariel Weintraub, an Argentinian-Israeli who has been living in the country for the past 20 years, decided to fully convert to Judaism after connecting with his Jewish coworkers.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israelis killed on October 7 denied Jewish burials due to halachic status

The incidents came to light on Monday during a Knesset discussion about expediting the conversion process for those currently serving in the IDF.

NOVEMBER 13, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Alina Falahati, 21, who was murdered on October 7 and buried 'outside the fence' due to her halachic status (she had not completed the conversion process to Judaism.)

Accused antisemite Kat Von D renounces witchcraft, converts to Christianity

The famous tattoo artist shared a video of her baptism on Instagram.

OCTOBER 6, 2023ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Tattoo artist Kat Von D poses at the premiere of "Jackass 3D" at Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California October 13, 2010. The movie opens in the U.S. on October 15.

Phoenix Suns will retire Amar'e Stoudemire's number

The Suns announced Wednesday that Stoudemire, along with his teammate Shawn Marion, would be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor during the 2023-2024 NBA season.

AUGUST 11, 2023ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
Amar'e Stoudemire, 2009.

Converting to Judaism: Is it good for the Jews? - opinion

The current hurdles to entry at many Orthodox beit dins are almost impossible for the individuals who wish to join our ranks, and the process leaves a lot to be desired.

JULY 5, 2023ByADAM MINTZ, JONATHAN LEENER, AVRAM MLOTEK
Beit din religous court 311

Sicily’s Jews have their first rabbi in 500 years, but aren't accepted

In an ongoing point of frustration, the formal organization representing Italian Jewry (UCEI), does not recognize them as Jews.

JUNE 15, 2023ByDAVID I. KLEIN/JTA
A view of Mount Etna, Europe's highest and most active volcano, crater of Sud-Est on the island of Sicily, Italy, June 11, 2022.

'Being a Nation State': Evolution of Israel's Jewish, democratic balance - review

Tensions have moved along two interrelated axes in Israeli society: between Jewishness as a national identity and democracy; and Judaism as a religion and democracy.

JUNE 3, 2023ByGLENN C. ALTSCHULER
A MARCH from Ramat Gan to Bnei Brak in protest of the haredi community’s monetary demands for the upcoming budget, last month.

Shavuot: 7 things converts can teach us about Judaism

Just as our sages learned about Jewish affirmations from Ruth, so I have found through my work with converts that we can learn much about Judaism from them.

MAY 26, 2023ByRAPHAEL SHUCHAT
FOR MANY converts, the original impetus was not actually a Jewish partner. Pictured: Huppa in Cape Town, 1979.

Ukrainians trying to convert to Judaism in Israel face Kafkaesque trials

Yael and Aaron Agpov from Ukraine had tried to convert to Judaism in 2022, but then the war broke out. This, plus Israel's Kafkaesque bureaucracy, thrust them into uncertainty.

MAY 25, 2023ByALAN ROSENBAUM
THE AGPOV family with ITIM head Rabbi Seth Farber (L) after receiving Israeli citizenship at the Netanya Interior Ministry offices.

Condoms and tikkun olam: An Orthodox woman strives to aid sex workers in Prague

L’Chaim is an organization dedicated to helping sex workers in the Czech Republic.

MAY 24, 2023ByDINAH SPRITZER/JTA
Yael Schoultz founded a group called L'Chaim, which counsels and supports sex workers.

Editor's Notes: Love the convert

As Jews in Israel and around the world read the Book of Ruth during the holiday of Shavuot, it is worth asking how beloved converts truly are today.

MAY 24, 2023ByAVI MAYER
THEN-JEWISH AGENCY CHAIRMAN Natan Sharansky speaks at a protest held outside the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem, in 2016. The signs read ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ and ‘Judaism without coercion.’