Conversion

Grapevine, May 29, 2026: Meaningful conversation

Movers and shakers in Israeli society

|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN
A general view of Jerusalem's Old City shows the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in the foreground as the Dome of the Rock, located on the compound known to Muslims as Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as Temple Mount, is seen in the background.
THE EXPECTATION that citizens should roam the length and breadth of the country in order to find an appointment slot somewhere to renew a passport is preposterous.

Proposed Law of Return amendment sparks debate over conversion standards in Israel

Religious coalition lawmakers frame the bill as a return to halachic conversion standards, while opponents say it would hand the religious establishment greater control over Jewish identity

|ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE
RAISING THE flag before prayer services in the field.

Making it official: Inside the Nativ program training IDF soldiers to 'join the tribe'

Nativ began with a Trustee Committee in 1998 and was adopted as a military program in 2000. To date, over 58,000 soldiers have begun the program, and close to 20,000 have completed conversion.

|ByJUDITH SEGALOFF
Kidist Mengistu, a lone soldier from Ethiopia, was surprised by her mother at the Western Wall for bat mitzvah ceremony, Februrary 23, 2026.

IDF lone soldiers mark bar and bat mitzvah at Western Wall, including some family surprises

The event was organized by Ach Gadol (Big Brother for Lone Soldiers), a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentorship and community support for soldiers serving in Israel without immediate family.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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.

Thousands of Gazans will become Christian, Palestinian Evangelical predicts

"I was thinking that once again, our leaders sold us to the Jews," he continued. "That was when I decided to go and fight for our land, which I believe was ours."

DECEMBER 30, 2023ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN
Taysir "Tass" Abu Saada

Uncovering Christian missionary efforts: What's the price of support during war?

While some come with the best intentions, other organizations seem to be taking advantage of the war situation to spread the gospel in Israel.

DECEMBER 30, 2023ByATARA BECK
TRAINING MATERIAL for missionaries on how to convince Jews to accept ‘salvation’ through Jesus

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.

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.