Converting While Studying for a Graduate Degree in Israel

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I am planning on studying in Israel for two years. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to immerse myself into Judaism, experience the practice and the holidays in the Holy Land of all places... I would like to have a good halachic [according to Jewish law] conversion. Does Israeli law recognize a conversion performed by a Masorti [Conservative] Beit Din?

Answer

Israeli law recognizes Conservative conversions for registration in the Interior Ministry. However, the Masorti movement only converts people who have Israeli identification numbers, usually a child of a Jewish father, someone married to a Jew, etc. You could certainly study here and a conversion could be arranged later in your home country.

Rabbi Diana Villa
April 2007