The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/conversion/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:39:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png conversion | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/conversion/ 32 32 Highlighting Diaspora rift, Israel rejects US immigration applicant over Zoom-era conversion https://www.timesofisrael.com/highlighting-diaspora-rift-israel-rejects-us-immigration-applicant-over-zoom-era-conversion/ Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:48:36 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3671019 Critics say the rebuffing of Isabella Vinci, who spent Shabbats with an Orthodox host family and taught English in an Israeli public school, defies a 2005 High Court ruling

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]]> In a polarized time, new chief rabbi envisions revamped Rabbinate with a wide embrace https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-a-polarized-time-new-chief-rabbi-envisions-revamped-rabbinate-with-a-wide-embrace/ Fri, 01 Aug 2025 13:15:45 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3608969 From the Haredi draft to marriage and kashrut, top Ashkenazi cleric Kalman Ber says he believes love, unity and quiet action — rather than public fights — are key to lasting change

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]]> With echoes of Book of Ruth, author chronicles 7 women’s remarkable journeys to faith https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-echoes-of-book-of-ruth-author-chronicles-7-womens-remarkable-journeys-to-faith/ Mon, 02 Jun 2025 04:59:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3560984 This Shavuot, read Kelsey Osgood's 'Godstruck,' a reflection on her own unexpected Orthodox conversion to Judaism as well as the conversions of six others to a diverse array of religions

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]]> Ahead of Shavuot, thousands of converts remain unrecognized by state, stuck in limbo https://www.timesofisrael.com/ahead-of-shavuot-thousands-of-converts-remain-unrecognized-by-state-stuck-in-limbo/ Wed, 28 May 2025 20:20:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3560296 Knesset committee looks at difficulties faced by those seeking official acknowledgment of conversion, with only half of those who start process each year managing to complete it

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]]> Government failure to arrange circumcisions delays conversion to Judaism for 98 men https://www.timesofisrael.com/government-failure-to-arrange-circumcisions-holding-up-98-mens-conversion-to-judaism/ Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:34:22 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3207500 A soldier fighting in Gaza nearly spent NIS 7,000 of his own money to finalize the process, an activist representing him says

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]]> Jewish-born actor Shia LaBeouf converts to Catholicism, intends to become deacon https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-born-actor-shia-labeouf-converts-to-catholicism-intends-to-become-deacon/ Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:32:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3194309 Actor began process after playing revered Italian saint in 2022 film 'Padre Pio'; said in interview he never felt real connection to Judaism

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]]> Russian speakers relish a user-friendly Shavuot, and its pro-conversion message https://www.timesofisrael.com/russian-speakers-relish-a-user-friendly-shavuot-and-its-pro-conversion-message/ Thu, 25 May 2023 12:01:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3021330 An organization that helps build communities of newcomers from former Soviet countries has adapted the Jewish holiday's all-night study tradition

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]]> Daily Briefing May 23: Netanyahu finally gets UAE invite, but not the one he wanted https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-may-23-netanyahu-finally-gets-uae-invite-but-not-the-one-he-wanted/ Tue, 23 May 2023 10:33:02 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3020327&preview=true&preview_id=3020327 Diplomatic correspondent Lazar Berman brings headlines from the annual Herzliya Conference; religion reporter Canaan Lidor on stymied conversions and dying European communities

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]]> Jewish Agency head warns incoming government not to alienate world Jewry https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-agency-head-warns-incoming-government-not-to-alienate-world-jewry/ Sun, 13 Nov 2022 21:45:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=2873265 Cautionary statements come as likely coalition members propose measures that would dramatically reduce immigration, delegitimize non-Orthodox conversions

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]]> Israel’s official rules limiting Shabbat activity increasingly ignored — research https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-official-shabbat-rules-being-increasingly-broken-on-the-ground-research/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 18:31:09 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2840168 Though 70% of Jewish local authorities ban cultural sites from opening on day of rest, 58% of such centers and 82% of museums operate; over a quarter of shopping malls also open

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]]> Daily Briefing Aug. 23: US med school programs closing in Israel; PA push at the UN https://www.timesofisrael.com/daily-briefing-aug-23-us-med-school-programs-closing-in-israel-pa-push-at-the-un/ Tue, 23 Aug 2022 11:02:27 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2823039 US correspondent Jacob Magid discusses a new Palestinian bid for UN membership; Diaspora affairs reporter Judah Ari Gross talks of seeking to become a Jew, or a doctor, in Israel

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]]> Government advances conversion reform that seeks to curb rabbinate’s control https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-advances-conversion-reform-that-seeks-to-curb-rabbinates-control/ Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:58:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2705446&preview=true&preview_id=2705446 Contentious proposal for accepting Jewish conversions meant to give more power to local authorities, but liberal critics say it doesn't go far enough

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]]> Charlotte Nichols could soon be UK Labour Party’s only Jewish woman in parliament https://www.timesofisrael.com/charlotte-nichols-could-soon-be-uk-labour-partys-only-jewish-woman-in-parliament/ Sat, 12 Feb 2022 11:11:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2700764 Only 30, Nichols is a rising star in a party losing Jewish MPs while still reckoning with years of antisemitism accusations under Jeremy Corbyn

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]]> Religious services minister unveils government plan to reform conversion system https://www.timesofisrael.com/religious-services-minister-unveils-government-plan-to-reform-conversion-system/ Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:30:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2682087 Matan Kahana touts 'historic opportunity' to address problem of close to half a million Israeli residents of Jewish ancestry who are not considered Jewish by state

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]]> Liberman issues warning to chief rabbi as Knesset vote on conversion reform delayed https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-issues-warning-to-chief-rabbi-as-knesset-vote-on-conversion-reform-delayed/ Wed, 29 Dec 2021 20:23:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=2674545&preview=true&preview_id=2674545 Finance minister tells Lau he must fulfill terms of his job or could be ousted; plenum vote on bill pushed off two weeks due to lack of support

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