Sharansky welcomes independent conversion courts

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky welcomes the establishment of independent rabbinical courts Monday by a group of Orthodox Israeli rabbis.

In a statement, Sharansky says: “We all wish to continue the process of ingathering the exiles from throughout the world in an era of lost identities and growing assimilation. In order to keep the gates of Israel open to all who wish to join our people in accordance with halachah (Jewish law), it is important that rabbis who have been authorized by the Chief Rabbinate to conduct conversions participate in this process, and this new initiative will enable them to do so.”