Sharansky bemoans conversion reform rollback

Jewish Agency chief Natan Sharansky criticizes a cabinet decision to repeal an initiative that would have recognized conversions to Judaism conducted by a wider circle of rabbis.

“The Jewish Agency for Israel deeply regrets the cancellation of the government’s decision from less than a year ago regarding the establishment of local conversion courts,” Sharansky says in a statement.

“The establishment of the local courts sought to address the needs of tens of thousands of immigrants and their children who require conversion due to their desire to join the Jewish people in a more complete and recognized manner,” he adds.

“We cannot accept the fact that a matter so vital to the future of the Jewish people and to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state is subject entirely to the configuration of the coalition at any given time and to government decisions adopted and then canceled after each election cycle,” he concludes.