BLOG, MY CONVERSION
5 Reasons why to convert in Israel

SEPTEMBER 03, 2018


​Today I officially started my conversion to Judaism in Israel. Mazel tov to myself! Ten months ago I came to Israel to do my conversion in the holy land instead of in my home country. Why Israel? 5 reasons why converting in Israel is the best decision.


1. Surrounded by Jewish Life

In Israel you can't escape Judaism, it is everywhere around you. You find unlimited Jewish communities, Jewish free time activities, Jewish adoptive families, friends, and a Jewish atmosphere wherever you go. You listen to Hebrew all day long and feel the Jewish mentality.
For me that was the main reason why to come to Israel for my conversion process. I wanted to be surrounded by Jewish life in order to develop my own Jewish lifestyle.
​
2. Shorter Duration

While in other countries a conversion to Judaism can take many years. In Israel the duration of a conversion is usually shorter. Once you have been accepted by the committee, it shouldn't take you more than 1 year (some time of community activity is required before being accepted by the committee).

3. Living in the Holy Land

What a blessing! Converting in Israel means being in the Holy Land every day. You can go to Jerusalem and feel the Kotel wall with your bare hands whenever you want. Besides all of that, you can actually visit and touch the places that you read about in the Torah. In addition, you are in the land that is said to have a direct connection to God (you’ll have lower phone bills for your prayers, after all it’s a local call ;)

​4. Less Distractions

I found it quite challenging to resist friends’ invitations to go to the beach or to go shopping on Saturdays. As well as, staying at home while all of my friends went to a party on Friday night. In Israel you are more likely to have observant Jewish friends. While you are keeping Shabbat, all of your friends will also be keeping Shabbat, or at least they are aware that they can't call you on Yom Kippur. You don't have to justify yourself anymore and you can focus on your conversion with plenty of support.

5. Kosher Food

Yes, I love food who doesn't?
​Exactly One year ago I started keeping kosher in Spain. That meant living without cheese for 3 months, stop going to restaurants, and telling people at birthday parties: "Sorry, I can't eat your super delicious smelling brownies (because you probably baked a ham-and-cheese-toast in your oven before)" It was frustrating!
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By Ilana Schiffner

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1 Comment

ARIEL
NOVEMBER 04, 2018

you made my day with your lower bills joke hahaha and that's true the eyes of G-d are always upon Israel

    Leave a Comment

About Me

Welcome to "Jewishbychoice"! 
I am Ilana! 
​German, 28 years old, 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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