Conversion to Judaism

IDF lone soldiers mark bar and bat mitzvah at Western Wall, including some family surprises

The event was organized by Ach Gadol (Big Brother for Lone Soldiers), a nonprofit that provides one-on-one mentorship and community support for soldiers serving in Israel without immediate family.

Kidist Mengistu, a lone soldier from Ethiopia, was surprised by her mother at the Western Wall for bat mitzvah ceremony, Februrary 23, 2026.
Ehud Barak, a former prime minister of Israel, announces the establishment of a new political party that he will lead, in Tel Aviv, June 26, 2019.

Former Moscow rabbi says he rebuffed proposal to convert Russians discussed in Epstein recording

An Argentine oleh (new immigrant to Israel) who made aliyah 20 years ago celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Eilat after a long period of conversion.

Argentinian oleh celebrates his Bar Mitzvah, conversion to Judaism 20 years after making aliyah

A Spanish flag flutters in the air as the capital of Spain is seen from the observatory deck of Madrid's city hall August 7, 2013.

I traveled from Israel to Spain to convert new Jews. A single ‘Sababa’ made me feel safer - opinion


Fighting for their identity: Amos and Rivka Minster on their Journey to Judaism and Israel

Amos and Rivka Minster converted to Judaism under the official auspices of the state but had to fight to receive their official Israeli identification.

 AMOS AND RIVKA Minster smile upon receiving their official Israeli ID cards.

Rabbi helps two incarcerated men convert to Judaism

Terlinchamp told JTA that she felt comfortable writing a letter to the Department of Corrections advocating that one's life sentence be reduced to 20 years, citing his conversion work as a reason.

 Ari Kingsman, left, and Joshua Phillips both converted to Judaism while incarcerated.

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Converts need our support: Let's not forget them - opinion

Two years ago, a new nonprofit organization called Ohev Ger was founded to care for converts on the “day after” conversion, to promote their success and smooth their integration in Israel.

 OHEV GER holds a meeting with directors and converts of the Nativ conversion programs.

After undergoing Orthodox conversion, Noa Arazi is helping others do the same

Arazi has devoted much of her time to helping prospective converts learn about the conversion process, drawing from her own conversion experiences on social media.

 performing in Daglanut for Israel independence Day.

Artist Lea Gul's journey: Muslim upbringing in Turkey to Jewish life in Jerusalem

Mother of four and convert to Judaism, Lea Gul, overcame many obstacles to get where she is today. 

 Artist Lea Gul

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau calls for slain Palestinian convert to be buried in Jewish grave

David Ben-Avraham (born Saamach Zeitoun) underwent a non-rabbinate conversion in Bnei Brak in 2019 and was mistakenly killed by IDF troops in March.

 Israel's Chief Rabbi David Lau is seen at the establishment of the Latin American Rabbinical Organization, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on August 2, 2023.

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

See Shabbat times for your area.

Shabbat candles

Israeli public ready for relaxation of conversion laws - poll

The much-politicized issue of Jewish conversions has seen Israel’s left and right-wing debate the merits of halachic conversion and what should be considered a legitimate conversion for decades.

 President of the Supreme Court of Israel Esther Hayut and all fifteen justices assemble to hear petitions against the reasonableness standard law in the High Court in Jerusalem, on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.