BLOG, MY CONVERSION
How to convert in Israel as a non-citizen

DECEMBER 13, 2018


​Converting to Judaism in Israel without citizenship is quite a challenge! But despite many sources, it's not impossible! Read my story of how I managed to start an Orthodox conversion with the official Rabbinate of Israel and let me help you on your journey!

​The official conversion to Judaism in Israel goes through the Orthodox Rabbinate of the state Israel. This is the highest accepted conversion in Israel. While Israeli citizens have an easier registration process, non-citizens who wish to do their conversion in Israel have to go through a complex acceptance process through a exception committee, called the Vaadat Charigim. The Vaadat Charigim is made up of representatives of the Ministry of the Interior, the Legal Department of the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Office of the Chief Rabbi. In this article I will tell you how to begin and tell you from my experience how to convert to Judaism in Israel. I have a great video "How to convert in Israel" available for purchase! 

1. Have experience in an Orthodox Jewish community

In order to be accepted to start your conversion process in Israel, it is expected to have spent a reasonable amount of time in a Jewish community. I recommend you to have at least one year of experience in a Jewish community before applying for conversion in Israel. Yes, I came to Israel after only 3 months in a community in Spain before I applied for my conversion in Israel, but I am sure that this is a very very rare exception! I don't recommend doing the same.

2. Prepare your Documents

For the application to convert in Israel you need to hand in various documents. While still in your home country, you should get the following official documents:
  • A certificate, authorized by an apostille that the applicant has no criminal record abroad
  • 2 recent passport photos
  • One’s CV / resume (in Hebrew)
  • ​Documents of previous conversions (if you have started a conversion before)
  • Recommendation letters of your previous orthodox communities, Rabbis, Jewish organizations and adoptive families attesting one’s longstanding and continuous connection to Judaism and one’s religious observant lifestyle. If you are married to a Jew or are in a serious relationship with a Jew, bring similar letters of recommendation for him/her (5-8 letters)

3. Come to Israel on a Tourist Visa

Coming to Israel on a tourist visa allows you to stay for three months and gives you enough time to hand in all the necessary documents. During this time you will also want to find a community or a Yeshiva or Midrasha (Torah school).

I joined a Midrasha (Torah school for girls) "Midreshet Berot Bat Ayin after arriving to Israel. The studies prepared me for the official conversion process and the school wrote me a very valuable recommendation letter that helped me in my conversion application.

Furthermore I recommend you joining an Orthodox community and being active in their services and activities. Build up a relationship with the other members and the community's Rabbi. If you need recommendations for welcoming communities in Israel feel free to contact me! (Note: Chabad does not accompany conversions through the chief Rabbinate in Israel.)

4. Write a Motivation Letter
​
Prepare a detailed motivation letter in Hebrew (I can connect you with an affordable translator. Contact me!) Your letter should include an explanation of your motivation to convert to Judaism. Mention such things as Jewish studies, Jewish family members, and your connection to Jewish communities and Jewish families. Your letter should be as emotional and honest as possible and show your feelings, hopes and desires. It should be one page long.

(Purchase my video about "how to write a motivation letter" here)

5. Hand in Your Application to Convert in Israel

This application form is an official document to apply for a conversion in Israel through the Rabbinate. Leave your email to receive the official application form from me: ​
Send your application via mail to the office in your area (you will be able to change your office during the process in case your location changes). Make sure to include a copy of your passport and the blue entry visa card that you received at the airport upon arrival.

Jerusalem
Email: Jerusalem@giyur.gov.il
Phone: 025099101, 025099108

Tel Aviv
Email: merkaz@giyur.gov.il
Phone: 037406100

South
Email: darom@giyur.gov.il
Phone: 086620900

North
Email: Zafon@giyur.gov.il
Phone: 046718104

A few days after sending your application, you should call the office and make sure they have received your documents and opened your file.

6. First Interview with the Beit Din

After 1-2 months you will receive an invitation for your first interview. This interview is probably the most important meeting of your life. It decides if you are permitted to start a conversion in Israel or not. You will meet a Rabbi who will ask you all kinds of questions regarding your faith, observance and Jewish knowledge. I want to list some of the questions I was asked to give you an impression of the meeting.
  • How did you find Judaism?
  • Which mitzvot do you keep?
  • If Hashem would have wanted you to be Jewish, why didn't he have you be born to a Jewish mother?
  • What is G-d to you?
  • Judaism says the world was created in 6 days. Modern science says something different. How can you combine the two different theories?
  • Why are the Noahide laws not enough for you?

You should bring all the above mentioned documents, letters and photos to the appointment.

(Book a one on one preparation session with me here)

7. Fight for Your Permission to Convert in Israel

According to the committee’s regulations, an answer should be given to the applicant within 3 months from the time they submitted the request. After 5 months I was still waiting for my answer. And to be honest, so far I haven't met anyone who received their answer after 3 months. By now you will have had to leave the country in order to receive the second 3 month Tourist visa.

The office's email address, phone number and address will be your best friend for the next few months. You will find yourself in a complex situation, because your second 3 month Tourist visa is about to expire soon and you might not get another visa... What I did when my second visa was about to expire is I requested an appointment to renew my visa at the Ministry of Interior. The appointment gave me a kind of "permission" to stay in Israel without a valid visa. And then PRAY that you get your answer from the  Rabbinate before the appointment!

And you wait and wait and wait...And you call and cry and wait and call again.

And suddenly there is it, a YES! A positive answer from the Rabbinate will allow you to extend your visa until the end of your conversion process in Israel.

If the Vaadat Charigim rejects one’s application, he/she has the right to send a written appeal. (If this has happened to you, contact me and I will try to help you!)

Contact me for help!

8. Start a Conversion Course

Find a conversion program that is a good fit for you. There are different programs with different study levels and prices. For example, there are full-time Torah schools with tuition or free programs of 6 hours of class weekly (contact me for recommendations). If you have a Jewish partner, your partner will have to join the classes or study in a similar program.

The official conversion process in Israel has a duration of 10 months.

Please be aware that you will not receive a work permit for the duration of your conversion. Yes that makes the whole situation pretty tricky. But believe me, if Hashem wants you to be in Israel, Hashem will sustain you!

(Purchase the video "how to convert in Israel" with practical tipps and my own experiences here)

Please contact me if you need guidance on your conversion plans in Israel and I am happy to answer you all your questions. Schedule a free call with me here.

By Ilana Schiffner

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1 Comment

DANIELLA
DECEMBER 13, 2018

Thank you for sharing this! It's so helpful!

    Leave a Comment

About Me

Welcome to "Jewishbychoice"! 
I am Ilana and I converted to Orthodox Judaism, currently living in Israel. Fascinated by Torah, Spirituality and Jewish values.
​Today I share my experiences on my blog and assist people in their conversion process. I teach weekly Judaism classes and offer professional conversion coaching.

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