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.

|ByBATSHEVA SHULMAN
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

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.

|ByGLENN C. ALTSCHULER
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

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.”

|ByJONATHAN LIEBERMAN
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

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.

|ByNEVILLE TELLER

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.

JUNE 16, 2024ByDAVID M. WEINBERG
OHEV GER holds a meeting with directors and converts of the Nativ conversion programs.

After undergoing Orthodox conversion, Noa Arazi is helping others do the same

Arazi has devoted much of her time to helping prospective converts learn about the conversion process, drawing from her own conversion experiences on social media.

MAY 10, 2024ByALAN ROSENBAUM
performing in Daglanut for Israel independence Day.

Artist Lea Gul's journey: Muslim upbringing in Turkey to Jewish life in Jerusalem

Mother of four and convert to Judaism, Lea Gul, overcame many obstacles to get where she is today. 

MAY 5, 2024ByABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMAN
Artist Lea Gul

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau calls for slain Palestinian convert to be buried in Jewish grave

David Ben-Avraham (born Saamach Zeitoun) underwent a non-rabbinate conversion in Bnei Brak in 2019 and was mistakenly killed by IDF troops in March.

MARCH 28, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau is seen at the establishment of the Latin American Rabbinical Organization, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 2, 2023.

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

MARCH 1, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Shabbat candles

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.

JANUARY 24, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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.

Israel's High Court recognizes non-orthodox conversions for citizenship

Supreme Court President Esther Hayut said there was "no clear reason" to deny converted Jews the rights afforded by the Law of Return

DECEMBER 13, 2023ByZVIKA KLEIN
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.

Gazan who escaped to Israel, converted to Judaism shares his story

The amazing story of the Gazan who escaped to Israel and converted to Judaism.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023ByOMRI GALPERIN/MAARIV
Dor Shachar escaped life in Gaza, and is now living in Rishon LeZion.

Would Ruth, a convert, be good enough for Israeli citizenship? - opinion

It’s time for a clear, predictable path to citizenship with an explicit list of requirements for converts wishing to live in Israel.

MAY 29, 2023ByLEAH AHARONI
INTERIOR MINISTER Moshe Arbel arrives for a cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

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.