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The conversion process is a long and complex one, at the end of which the convert has the same status as any other Jewish person. In this section you can read about the main groups applying for conversion and the criteria required to undergo the process. |
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| What is conversion? |
Conversion is a process by which a person exchanges his existing religion for Judaism and thereafter leads a lifestyle based on the written and verbal dictates of the Torah (Bible), belief in the God of Israel, performing the mitzvot (righteous deeds or commandments) of the Torah and full identification with the Jewish people. The conversion process includes two main precepts: acceptance of the Torah and the mitzvot of immersion in a mikveh (women and men) and performing a brit mila (men).
Any person who successfully passes the conversion process then becomes a “Jew for all intents and purposes” and his status is identical to that of any other Jew born to a Jewish mother. The process affects not only the individual who converts, but also his children, and all subsequent generations born to the convert shall be considered Jewish. The conversion process lasts at least one year and includes instruction in Judaism and Jewish tradition. |
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| Who can be converted? |
Any individual, regardless of former religion, race, color or sex, is eligible to apply for conversion. A prerequisite for conversion is possession of Israeli citizenship or residence via civil marriage to an Israeli citizen. People with any other citizenship or tourists must be approved by a joint committee of the conversion courts and the Ministry of the Interior for acceptance to the conversion process. Further information on the Exceptions Committee is available from a booklet published by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption and the website of Itim (the Jewish Life Information Center).
 Itim - the jewish-life information center |
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| Groups applying for conversion |
Applicants to the conversion courts comprise a number of principal groups:
 Children of Jewish fathers with a Jewish identity
Many immigrants from the former Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries were born to a Jewish father and raised in a home where there was a strong Jewish identity and adherence to mitzvot, such as eating matzot during Passover and fasting on Yom Kippur. Thus, when they arrive in Israel they wish to further reinforce their Jewish identity and undergo a formal conversion according to Halacha.
Immigrants who arrived in Israel under the Law of Return
Immigrants who came to Israel as second or third generation descendants under the Law of Return, some of whom may not have led a Jewish lifestyle in their countries of origin but now seek to accept the heritage of their fathers or grandfathers.
Immigrants from Ethiopia
Immigrants belonging to the Falash Mura tribe, or who underwent a forced conversion to another religion, must appear before the conversion court to “shed the blood of circumcision” (this involves a mohel making a small scratch on the penis to produce a drop of blood symbolizing circumcision) and immersion in a mikveh.
Bnei Menashe from India
Descendants of the ancient tribe of Menashe who settled in the Indian states of Mizoram and Manipur, who wish to immigrate to Israel, must undergo conversion according to the Halacha in a conversion court.
Men and women married to a Jew by civil marriage
In cases where a couple wishes to marry according to the laws of Israel (according to Halacha), under a chupah (wedding canopy) and with ritual sanctification (kidushin), although one of the couple is not Jewish, the couple must apply to the conversion court so that the non-Jewish member may undergo an Halachic conversion.
Couples wishing to register for marriage
Further to immigration from various countries around the world, some couples who apply to register their marriage at their local Rabbinate are surprised to discover that one of the couple is not considered fully Jewish according to Halacha. Even if one of the couple has undergone a Reform or Conservative conversion abroad, or any form of conversion that is not recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, the couple may not marry until their status is resolved.
Adopted children
In recent years several organizations have been active in bringing adopted children into Israel from various countries around the world, including: Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Guatemala and the Far East. An adopted child born to a non-Jewish family must undergo conversion of a minor.
“Spiritual converts”
A “spiritual convert” is a person who is not Jewish and reaches a decision to convert to Judaism as a result of an in-depth thought process, investigation and a conviction that Judaism is the religion he believes in. |
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