Do converts have to wait to move to Israel?

Question

I read this here : http://www.ujc.org/page.html?ArticleID=158183

"According to the draft, a conversion must take place in a “recognized Jewish community,” and the convert must participate in a conversion course lasting at least nine months. In exceptional cases, when the course lasted fewer than nine months, the ministry will demand certification that it entailed at least 350 hours of study. In some cases the local rabbinical court will be allowed to explain why the convert studied for a shorter period.

Advocates for converts say the proposed regulations would codify an existing illegal policy that discriminates against Jews by choice. All other Jews (as well as non-Jews who can prove a Jewish grandparent) are eligible for immediate Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return. "

Answer 1

Israel faces various threats to its security as I'm sure you are aware, and it therefore needs to be somewhat discerning as to who it lets in. It doesn't always get it right (for example the recent case of neo-Nazis in Haifa), but as a general rule its policies on this matter are both pragmatic and successful.

People born to Jewish families are fundamentally linked to the Jewish people and so are less likely to be a threat; by comparison converts need to be more throughly vetted to ensure that their motive is not just to infiltrate Israeli society.

I can understand why you might view that as a discriminatory practice, but I say that security must come first.

Answer 2

The debate over the law of return has gone on since it began.
The debate then became more about how to define "Who is a Jew".

For the most part--converts are consider Jews unless they have converted to another faith.
The Orthodox have continued to try to say that a convert isnt a convert unless done through Orthodoxy but that created a rift for the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements where many of the converts come from. Israel a secular state, has not allowed the change so far.

By Law a Jew is defined as someone with a Jewish mother or who has converted.
Orthodox Jews want the "grandmother" line deleted since it has opened the gates for many non-Jews or I should say Jews of other faiths to make use of the law of return.

Yet a Jew from birth who has converted to another faith is denied return.
"By this ruling the law of the land contradicted Jewish law, since according to rabbinic halakhah, a Jew remains a Jew even if he is converted to another faith."

To answer the question--NO--they dont have to wait but once in Israel they have to deal with classification and the all important idenity card.

Example: The case of "Brother Daniel" a Polish Jew was denied entry because he converted to Chrisitanity.
Yet a Jewish mother (convert) who had married a Muslim brought all 170 of her family members with her and all where excepted under the law of return but most were practicing Muslims.

The whole subject is confusing but very interesting to me.

Answer 3

Nika,
Conversion and aliyah to Israel is determined on a case-by-case basis. There may be pertinent details in your background or your community that alter the general rules.
Some individuals complete the process in Israel, while others make aliyah only after they become Jewish.
On-line and hard-copy documents and articles can be confusing. Discuss your concerns with the rabbis (or knowledgeable families) that are helping you. Those experienced in navigating the system are most able to help.
Good luck.
P.S. There is obviously another option for someone who genuinely wants to convert. Apply to a conversion program in Israel while you are overseas. (Some have dorms or group flats in addition to the studies.) Depending on your financial and personal situation, this may or may not be a viable option.It does allow one to study and live in Israel, but you would need to support yourself while here.

Answer 4

EDMUND T

The Law Of Return does not state that ONLY Jews can become citizens.

It states that ALL Jews can become citizens.

There is a huge difference between the two, as I'm sure you can appreciate.

Given our history, it would make no sense to finally have a Jewish state, if said state did not provide swift sanctuary when needed, as well as a welcoming homeland for all and any Jews who wish to move there.

As for your comparison with Saudi Arabia, it's simply not valid.

In Saudi Arabia, all religions other than Islam are banned and even owning a Christian bible is illegal and punishable under the law.

In Israel, all are welcome to worship as they please, and to follow any religion they like. People of all faiths are welcome to apply for citizenship and indeed, over 20 per cent of Israeli citizens are not Jewish.

Answer 5

Israel actually has a problem with neo-Nazi immigrants. It must do something right away to prevent their entry.

This is one step towards doing that. I hope that now that you know this, you will be more understanding.

Answer 6

is it just me or does the "law of return" simply seem like a discriminatory tactic? is it just to increase the jewish population and drive out other religious groups? i would say that not granting citizenship based on religion is something a country like saudi arabia would be doing, not a democratic and "free" country like israel.