Myths and Facts About the Conversion Law

Many American Jews are concerned about the possibility of a change in the law regarding conversions in Israel. Much of the concern relates to fears that non-Orthodox Jews in some way may be delegitimized by any change. Some Reform and Conservative Jews also object to the ostensible monopoly over religious affairs (including issues relating to marriage and divorce as well as conversion) enjoyed by the Orthodox rabbinate in Israel. The following points were issued by the Israeli government on the narrow issues directly addressed by proposals to change the conversion law, which do not relate to all the issues that have provoked recent upheaval in Israel-diaspora relations.

MYTH:

The Israeli Government is not taking the conversion issue seriously.

FACT:

In an unprecedented step, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought together Reform, Conservative and Orthodox leaders to form a committee headed by Finance Minister Yaakov Neeman. The Neeman committee, which began its work in June 1997, has held over 50 meetings and heard testimony from numerous religious and communal leaders and experts in an attempt to find a recommendation that would avert the need for the Conversion Law.

The Neeman committee is continuing its work for an acceptable solution on the issue of conversions performed in Israel. A second committee was established to address the issue of the conversion of infants adopted abroad. This committee has succeeded in formulating recommendations which were agreed upon by all parties concerned. It is hoped that the success of the second committee will serve as a harbinger of unity and consensus.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a speech to the General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations (CJF) on November 16, 1997, “I do not believe that this issue can be resolved through litigation or legislation. We would rather have neither. What we need is an agreement among the religious leaders of all the parties involved… We are determined to reach a consensus.”

MYTH:

Passage of the Conversion Law would mean that people who undergo Reform and Conservative conversions abroad would from now on be considered second-class Jews in Israel.

FACT:

Reform and Conservative conversions performed in communities outside Israel are currently recognized by the Israeli Government and would continue to be recognized even if the bill were to become law. The proposed law relates only to conversions performed in Israel, and not to those carried out elsewhere. If the Conversion Law is passed, it will not alter the recognition that is granted to conversions performed outside of Israel.

MYTH:

The Conversion Law would disenfranchise Reform and Conservative Jews outside of Israel.

FACT:

The sole objective of the proposed law is to preserve the status quo in Israel, which has been accepted by every Israeli Prime Minister since David Ben-Gurion after the founding of the State in 1948. Cases pending before the Israeli Supreme Court could alter the status quo with regard to conversions performed in Israel. The proposed Conversion Law would codify existing practice. It does not question or cast aspersions upon anyone’s Jewishness or commitment to Israel, nor is it intended to do so. Israel remains the homeland of the entire Jewish people, regardless of their religious affiliation. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said in his November 1997 speech to the CJF [Council of Jewish Federations], “No one, nobody, can deprive a Jew of his Jewishness… There can be no such thing as a second-class Jew. Every Jew is a legitimate Jew. Period.”

Source: Israeli Government Press Office.