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Conversion in Israel
Question
Dear Rabbi,
I am looking for some guidance on whether conversion is the right thing for me or not!
I have been living in Israel for almost a year. My husband is Israeli (very secular)! I have been very much accepted by his family, and have learn very much this last year about Judaism, Israel, and the history of the Jewish people...
I grew up with Jewish holidays (Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, and more) through having Jewish childhood friends! So, I was already familiar with many things before I moved to Israel!
My dilemma is (well, I have a couple)
I was brought up in a religiously observant (Christian) home and have an inherent respect and reverence for religious tradition .My husband and his family are secular and although they have huge family gatherings for holidays, they are missing the more reverent respect for the history or spiritual significance of the holiday. I long for that again. I would love to study more about Judaism and find a way to bring that into my daily life. Since I am now living in Israel and will be raising my children with Jewish customs and beliefs, I think it might be a good idea to do it all more officially!
I want to have a strong base for our children, but I feel I can provide that without a conversion certificate. Although, I have no contact with religion in Israel as my husband did not even have a bar mitzvah, there is no rabbi who I can automatically approach. I would like to find someone I can speak with openly with, someone to learn from and someone who would support our children even if I decided not to convert. I have already chosen to raise them with Jewish tradition and values. With respect to living as a non-Jew in Israel, it's not easy, but after almost a year I am almost fully fluent in Hebrew and working in my profession!
I look forward to reading your thoughts,
Answer
In my opinion, if you want to raise a Jewish family in Israel, the best option is to convert. There is no reason for your children to have a problem growing up with the status of a non Jew in a Jewish country, especially since they will no doubt consider themselves as Jewish because of the education you will give them.
As for the non-orthodox conversion, reform or conservative, the new law you refer to, will give you the status of a Jew for the Interior Ministry, but not for the Rabbinate. If you convert in a non-orthodox movement, your children will not be able to marry at the Rabbinate. Understand me, I am not suggesting that you to convert in an orthodox conversion (I am a Conservative Rabbi), but you must be aware of every aspect of your decisions. For matters of conversion in the Conservative Movement, you should contact Rabbi Andy Saks, 054 5920670 or email raisrael@jtsa.edu, he will tell you about Batei Din abroad.
If you will tell me in which city you live, I'll give you the name of a Conservative Rabbi in your area, to speak with and maybe to attend services in his/her synagogue.
I do hope you will find the right person.
Rabbi Monique Susskind Goldberg
May 2005
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