The Amended Conversion Law: Problems and Pitfalls

06 Nov 2014
Israel

One of the current hot button topics here in Israel is pending legislation to make changes in the current process of converting non-Jews to Judaism here in the Jewish state. The bill itself has undergone many compromises and changes until it was approved by the coalition cabinet for presentation to the Knesset for a deciding vote.

Handing over the power to convert non-Jews to Judaism to local and communal rabbis in the long run will cause more problems than it solves.

The bill, in its original form was backed by Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party, abetted by the Russian immigrant Yisrael Beyteinu party, and other smaller secular, left of center parties in the ruling coalition. It seemingly opened a loophole to allow for non-Orthodox conversions to take place and be recognized. That original bill has been modified now numerous times and that loophole has been closed and eliminated.

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The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.