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conversion to Judaism

Yizhar Hess, a World Zionist Organization vice chairman and senior representative of the Masorti/Conservative Judaism (left), discusses with an ultra-Orthodox worshipper at the Western Wall in an undated picture. (Courtesy)
May 12, 2026, 2:23 am
Divisive bill barring non-Orthodox practices at Western Wall back on Knesset agenda
Legislation would give chief rabbis ultimate authority at holiest site for Jewish prayer, could see non-Orthodox worship branded as ‘desecration,’ carrying 7-year jail term
By Rossella Tercatin
FILE: New immigrants from France arrive on an "Aliyah Flight" at Ben Gurion airport. August 1, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
May 7, 2026, 2:56 pm
Ministerial panel to vote on bill that would bar citizenship for non-Orthodox converts
Reform movement leader: ‘Government slamming door in the faces’ of Diaspora Jews amid rising antisemitism; MK Rabbi Kariv: Move would ‘collapse the bridge’ between Israel and Diaspora
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
The offices of the Interior Ministry in Jerusalem, November 23, 2011. (Nati Shohat/Flash90)
April 29, 2026, 9:45 am
After years in limbo, court lets Syrian convert live in Israel with husband, a disabled vet
Interior Ministry had repeatedly denied couple’s efforts to build a home in the country, despite woman’s conversion to Judaism and severing of ties to Syria
By Sue Surkes
Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, carries a Torah scroll at his bar mitzvah held at Temple Beth-El in Providence, March 14, 2026. (Candy Adriance)
March 19, 2026, 9:51 am
Divine Providence: Serving and former mayors of Rhode Island capital celebrate bar mitzvahs
Brett Smiley and David Cicilline join 11 others in a group ceremony after 18 months of study for those celebrating the rite of passage as adults
By Sue Surkes
Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt after receiving the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2024 (Karlspreis) on May 9, 2024 in Aachen, western Germany. (INA FASSBENDER / AFP)
February 7, 2026, 6:20 am
Leading rabbi says he rejected mass Russian conversion plan mulled in Epstein audio
After ex-Israeli PM Ehud Barak heard backing engineering demographics, exiled Moscow chief rabbi reveals former minister asked him about matter, says it sounded ‘extremely racist’
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
Interior of the Bet El Sephardic synagogue in Buenos Aires. (Horacio Literat/ACILBA, the Moroccan Jewish Association of Argentina)
January 21, 2026, 12:25 pm
Argentina’s chief Sephardic rabbi reaffirms ban on local conversions, sparking outcry
Non-Orthodox groups say century-old edict is no longer needed, subjects converts to Judaism to control of Israel’s Orthodox rabbis
By Juan Melamed
Jewish country music singer Joe Buchanan (Lila Photo)
November 12, 2025, 5:44 am
Shalom, y’all: Jewish country music singer mixes Torah with Texas twang
Bred in America’s Bible Belt, Joe Buchanan converted to Judaism after his wife of 13 years revealed her heritage at a Holocaust museum
By Zev Stub
At Amit Amital School in Netanya, Isabella Vinci taught English as part of a Masa program, November 2022. (Courtesy via JTA)
October 25, 2025, 6:48 am
Highlighting Diaspora rift, Israel rejects US immigration applicant over Zoom-era conversion
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
By Asaf Elia-Shalev
'Ruth in Boaz's Field,' by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1828. (Public domain)
June 2, 2025, 7:59 am
With echoes of Book of Ruth, author chronicles 7 women’s remarkable journeys to faith
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
By Rich Tenorio
Yosef Kibita poses with his new Israeli passport. (Courtesy Masorti Movement in Israel)
August 17, 2024, 7:55 am
After 7-year legal battle, Uganda Jewish man finally gets Israeli citizenship
Interior Ministry approves the bid of Yosef Kibita from the Abayudaya community after four conversions and years of roadblocks
By Jackie Hajdenberg
David Ben Avraham. (Courtesy)
March 29, 2024, 6:04 pm
Disturbing video shows Jewish convert fatally shot by IDF in West Bank posed no threat
Footage features David Ben Avraham obeying orders, standing with his hands up before reservist opened fire; interior minister posthumously grants him Israeli residency he long sought
By ToI Staff
Members of a conversion program meeting in New York City on December 21, 2023. Jasamine Hodge is seated in the center in a white sweater, with her fiancé Adir standing to her left. Seated on the right are Rabbis Adam Mintz and Avram Mlotek. (Courtesy of Hodge via JTA)
January 18, 2024, 5:09 pm
‘I just felt this urgency’: For some, Oct. 7 fuels dedication to becoming Jewish
In the Diaspora and Israel, rabbis see a surge in interest from potential converts since the Hamas-led onslaught, both from people already in the process as well as newcomers
By jacob gurvis
Jared Armstrong, right, playing professional basketball in Israel. (Courtesy of Armstrong via JTA)
August 26, 2023, 3:53 pm
Basketball player who fought for Israeli citizenship promotes Black-Jewish ties
Among his efforts, Jared Armstrong will run a free basketball clinic for middle schoolers in Philadelphia on Sunday that has Black and Jewish kids coming from as far as Connecticut
By jacob gurvis
Javier Milei, presidential candidate of the Liberty Advances coalition, raises his arms at his campaign headquarters after polling stations closed during primary elections in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
August 17, 2023, 2:42 am
Argentina’s far-right presidential frontrunner wants to become Jewish
Javier Milei studies Jewish topics regularly with Buenos Aires rabbi but admits observing Sabbath may be obstacle to converting; he also vows to move country’s embassy to Jerusalem
By Juan Melamed and Gabe Friedman
Rabbi Reuven Yaacobov speaks about the weekly Torah portion in this screenshot from a video posted on June 8, 2023. (YouTube screenshot)
June 16, 2023, 7:10 pm
Berlin rabbi fired amid mounting allegations he preyed on young women
Reuven Yaacobov’s May 31 termination by the Jewish community came shortly after the claims went public, but alleged victims say complaints have been swept under the rug for years
By Toby Axelrod
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