Why Is Making Aliyah As A Convert So Hard?
Making Aliyah as a convert can be an intricate, often difficult journey due to the complex interplay of legal, religious, and social factors involved in Jewish identity and Israeli citizenship. This process often highlights the tension between the different Jewish movements, the power of the Orthodox Rabbinate, and the bureaucracy of the Israeli state. Below is a detailed exploration of why making Aliyah as a convert can be so hard:
1. Stringent Conversion Requirements and Recognition
Complexities of the Law of Return and Jewish Status
Israel’s Law of Return grants the right to make Aliyah to any Jew, including those who have converted. However, the question of who is a Jew—and therefore eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return—can be contentious. The Israeli government recognizes Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform conversions, but only under very specific circumstances.
The Ministry of the Interior often scrutinizes conversions, particularly if they were done outside Israel. Converts must provide proof of their Jewish status through documentation and testimony, which can involve a lengthy vetting process.
In some cases, converts need to show that they were part of an active Jewish community for at least one year after conversion, which can add another layer of complexity if they come from regions with fewer Jewish institutions.
Orthodox Chief Rabbinate’s Control Over Jewish Identity
In Israel, the Chief Rabbinate maintains significant control over defining Jewish religious identity, especially in matters like marriage, divorce, and burial. The Rabbinate only recognizes Orthodox conversions, and often only those performed by Orthodox authorities it considers legitimate.
If a convert’s Orthodox conversion is not conducted by a recognized Rabbinical court (Bet Din), or if their non-Orthodox conversion was conducted abroad, they may face rejection or skepticism when attempting to validate their Jewish status in Israel. Many converts find themselves in the paradoxical position of being recognized as Jewish by the State (for the purposes of citizenship) but not by the Rabbinate for religious matters.
2. The Scrutiny and Bureaucratic Challenges of Making Aliyah as a Convert
Lengthy and Difficult Approval Process
Aliyah as a convert typically involves far more bureaucratic scrutiny than for those who are born Jewish. The Jewish Agency and the Israeli Ministry of the Interior often conduct detailed investigations to verify the authenticity of the conversion. This can involve:
Obtaining letters from the rabbi who performed the conversion.
Providing documentation about the rabbinical court (Bet Din) that oversaw the conversion.
Submitting proof of active involvement in the Jewish community for at least a year post-conversion.
These requirements are not standard for all applicants and may vary based on the type of conversion or the authority that conducted it. The process can take months or even years to complete and requires significant patience and effort on the part of the convert.
Extra Documentation and Ongoing Proving of Jewish Identity
In addition to standard immigration paperwork, converts are required to provide extensive documentation proving their Jewishness. This may include letters from synagogues, evidence of participation in Jewish life, and in some cases, community testimonies confirming observance of Jewish laws (like keeping kosher or observing Shabbat).
For converts from smaller Jewish communities or those who converted through less-known rabbis, the process can be particularly difficult. The Jewish Agency may require more thorough investigation to verify the legitimacy of the conversion, which can lead to further delays.
Delays in Processing Applications
Unlike born Jews who often see their Aliyah process move relatively quickly, converts face longer wait times. The Ministry of the Interior must ensure that the conversion is recognized by Israeli standards, which means a lot of back-and-forth between Israeli officials and foreign rabbis or institutions.
These delays can be stressful, especially if the convert has already uprooted their life in preparation for the move. Financial costs can accumulate during this period, adding to the emotional and practical burden.
3. Orthodox and Non-Orthodox Conversion Conflict
Orthodox Dominance in Religious Affairs
The dominance of the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate in Israel means that many converts who undergo Reform or Conservative conversions abroad face additional challenges. While the State of Israel may recognize a Reform or Conservative convert as Jewish for the purposes of granting citizenship under the Law of Return, the Rabbinate does not recognize them as Jewish for religious purposes.
This creates a two-tier system, where someone can make Aliyah and become an Israeli citizen, but still face challenges when trying to marry, divorce, or be buried in Jewish cemeteries in Israel, which are under Orthodox control. These individuals may need to undergo an Orthodox reconversion to be fully accepted in matters governed by the Rabbinate, such as marriage.
Converts and Civil Status in Israel
Converts who are not recognized as Jewish by the Rabbinate find themselves in a legal grey zone where they are Jewish enough to be Israeli citizens, but not Jewish enough to participate in certain religious and life-cycle eventsoverseen by the Rabbinate. This can be particularly difficult in the areas of:
Marriage: All Jewish marriages in Israel must be officiated by the Orthodox Rabbinate. Converts whose Jewish status isn’t recognized by the Rabbinate will not be allowed to marry a Jewish partner through the Rabbinate.
Divorce: If the Rabbinate does not recognize a convert’s Jewish status, complications can arise in cases of Jewish divorce (get), especially if one party is Orthodox.
Burial: Converts who are not recognized by the Rabbinate may have difficulties being buried in Jewish cemeteries governed by religious authorities.
4. Cultural and Social Challenges
Social Acceptance and Integration
Converts, especially those who convert through non-Orthodox movements, often face social challenges after making Aliyah. Israel, with its diverse population, can be a difficult place for integration, and this is especially true for converts who may not be fully accepted by certain religious communities.
Some Orthodox communities may view converts, especially those who have undergone non-Orthodox conversions, with skepticism. Converts may feel pressure to prove their Jewishness through their actions and religious observance in ways that are not expected of born Jews.
Social acceptance can also vary based on how visibly different the convert is (e.g., ethnicity, language barriers). In certain cases, converts may experience prejudice or feel marginalized within both religious and secular communities.
Cultural Tensions Between Secular and Religious Jews
Israel is home to a complex socio-religious landscape where tensions exist between secular Jews and religious Jews. For converts, navigating this tension can be challenging. Secular communities may not fully understand or appreciate the importance of the conversion process, while religious communities may question the convert’s commitment.
Converts may find it difficult to navigate the various expectations placed upon them, particularly if they convert through a non-Orthodox movement but wish to live in a more observant community.
5. Practical Life Obstacles: Marriage, Personal Status, and Children
Marriage Complications
Marriage is perhaps one of the most significant practical challenges for converts making Aliyah. In Israel, marriage for Jews is governed by religious law, and the Orthodox Rabbinate has exclusive authority over marriage and divorce for Jews.
Converts who are not recognized by the Rabbinate cannot marry through the religious system, and Israel does not currently allow civil marriages. This means that converts in this situation must either marry abroad or undergo an Orthodox conversion to be able to marry through the Rabbinate in Israel. This situation creates emotional and logistical difficulties for many converts who wish to start families in Israel.
Children’s Jewish Status
If a convert has children, their Jewish status might also be scrutinized. The Jewish status of the children of converts depends on whether the conversion is recognized by the Rabbinate. Children of converts who underwent non-Orthodox conversions may not be considered Jewish by the Rabbinate, leading to challenges in education, marriage, and community life.
Converts whose children are born in Israel may face additional bureaucratic obstacles in registering their children as Jewish in the population registry if the convert’s Jewish status is still being questioned.
6. Emotional and Psychological Strain
Constant Need to Prove Jewishness
One of the most emotionally taxing aspects of making Aliyah as a convert is the constant need to prove one’s Jewish identity. Converts are often subjected to intense scrutiny from both the government and religious authorities, which can make the process of immigrating to Israel feel like a validation of identity rather than a simple move.
Converts may face repeated questions about their observance, sincerity, and commitment to Judaism, which can be demoralizing. The sense of constantly having to justify one’s Jewish identity—after going through a rigorous conversion process—can be draining and emotionally challenging.
Feelings of Alienation and Exclusion
Converts may experience feelings of alienation or exclusion in Israeli society, especially if they are not recognized by the religious establishment or if their Jewish status is continually questioned. This can lead to social isolationand difficulty integrating into religious or secular communities.
Some converts report that they feel they are not “Jewish enough” for certain communities, which can lead to a profound sense of cultural and religious dislocation. The combination of bureaucratic hurdles, social pressures, and religious scrutiny can leave many converts feeling disconnected from the community they long sought to be part of.
7. The Complex Relationship Between State and Religion in Israel
Dual Recognition Systems
One of the most difficult aspects of making Aliyah as a convert is navigating the dual recognition systems that exist in Israel. The State of Israel and the Chief Rabbinate have different criteria for recognizing someone as Jewish, which can create confusion and frustration.
Converts who are accepted under the Law of Return may still face significant hurdles when trying to marry, register children, or engage in religious life due to the Rabbinate’s separate system for recognizing Jewish identity. This creates a sense of living in two worlds, where one’s legal Jewish identity is recognized by the state but not by religious authorities, leading to complex, and often painful, personal challenges.
Making Aliyah as a convert can be a profoundly challenging process that involves navigating a complex web of religious bureaucracy, legal requirements, and social expectations. The process often forces converts to prove their Jewish identity repeatedly, even after undergoing a rigorous conversion process, and can result in delays, social stigma, and religious barriers. Despite the hurdles, many converts persevere, driven by their deep commitment to living as Jews in the Jewish homeland. However, the process requires resilience, patience, and a strong support network to manage the emotional, social, and bureaucratic difficulties that often accompany the journey.
Case Study: Helping Sarah, a Convert, Realize Her Dream of Making Aliyah
Background: Sarah, a 34-year-old teacher from Boston, grew up with a deep curiosity about Judaism. After years of study, prayer, and soul-searching, she made the life-changing decision to convert to Judaism. Sarah underwent a Conservative conversion, guided by a supportive rabbi and her tight-knit Jewish community. She embraced her new identity, observing Shabbat, keeping kosher, and immersing herself in Jewish traditions. However, Sarah’s journey was far from complete. Her heart was set on moving to Israel, the land she now considered her spiritual and ancestral home. But as a convert, she knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy.
Challenges: While Sarah was confident in her Jewish identity, she quickly realized that making Aliyah as a convertinvolved more than just paperwork. Her Conservative conversion, which was fully recognized by her community in Boston, might not carry the same weight in Israel—particularly with the Chief Rabbinate, which holds sway over many aspects of Jewish life in the country.
Sarah had heard stories of other converts facing bureaucratic hurdles and skepticism about their Jewishness. The prospect of constantly proving her commitment to Judaism, after already going through a transformative conversion process, felt exhausting and overwhelming. She was also concerned about the potential delays and rejection from Israeli authorities who might question the legitimacy of her conversion. Sarah needed guidance—and emotional support.
Our Approach: From the moment Sarah contacted us, we understood the complexity and emotional strain of her situation. She wasn’t just dealing with bureaucracy; this was about her identity, her sense of belonging, and her dream of living in Israel. We crafted a personalized approach to ensure Sarah felt supported every step of the way.
Step 1: Establishing a Foundation of Trust
Initial Consultation: Our first conversation with Sarah was not about paperwork; it was about understanding her journey. We listened as she recounted the years she spent studying, converting, and immersing herself in Jewish life. It was clear that her commitment to Judaism went beyond the technicalities of conversion—this was her soul’s path.
Emotional Support: Sarah was understandably anxious about the process. We reassured her that her Jewish identity was valid, no matter what challenges lay ahead. This was an important emotional anchor for her as we began navigating the practicalities of Aliyah.
Step 2: Navigating the Bureaucratic Maze
Document Collection: Once Sarah was ready to move forward, we worked closely with her to gather all necessary documentation. This included letters from her rabbi, confirmation of her synagogue membership, and evidence of her active participation in the Jewish community for the past year. We knew that Israeli authorities would need clear proof that Sarah’s conversion adhered to their standards, even if it was Conservative.
Addressing Concerns: One of the most difficult aspects of the process for Sarah was knowing that her conversion might not be recognized by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. We explained how Israel’s Law of Return worked, and how, while the State recognizes Conservative conversions for citizenship purposes, the Rabbinate does not always recognize them for personal status issues like marriage and burial. Armed with this information, Sarah felt more prepared to face any potential hurdles.
Step 3: Ensuring a Smooth Application Process
Submission and Advocacy: After preparing all her paperwork, we submitted Sarah’s Aliyah application through Nefesh B’Nefesh and worked with the Jewish Agency to ensure her conversion was recognized by the Ministry of the Interior. Knowing that converts often face delays, we stayed in close contact with the authorities, advocating on her behalf and pushing her case forward when things seemed to slow down.
Handling Questions and Delays: Unsurprisingly, the Ministry of the Interior raised questions about the legitimacy of Sarah’s conversion, particularly the length of her Jewish practice. We worked tirelessly to address these concerns, providing additional documentation, including community letters that spoke to Sarah’s observance of Jewish law. Each question felt like a test of her commitment, but we helped Sarah navigate it with grace and persistence.
Step 4: Emotional Support Through Uncertainty
Dealing with Doubts: Throughout the process, Sarah often felt emotionally drained. The scrutiny of her Jewish identity—something so personal and hard-won—made her feel vulnerable. There were moments when she questioned whether the move to Israel was worth it. We made sure Sarah knew that these feelings were valid and that we were there to support her—not just as professionals helping her fill out forms, but as people who cared about her emotional well-being.
Providing Reassurance: We reassured Sarah that many converts face similar challenges, and reminded her that while the bureaucracy might question her Jewishness, her connection to Judaism was undeniable. This emotional reassurance helped her stay grounded during the most stressful parts of the process.
Step 5: Overcoming the Final Hurdles
After months of waiting, the Ministry of the Interior finally approved Sarah’s Aliyah application. She had made it. But there were still lingering concerns about how her Jewish status would be treated by the Chief Rabbinate. Sarah dreamed of one day marrying in Israel, and we explained that, due to the Rabbinate’s control over Jewish marriages, she might face challenges in having her marriage recognized if she didn’t undergo an Orthodox conversion.
Solutions for Marriage and Family Life: We presented Sarah with options, such as marriage abroad or working with one of Israel’s pluralistic communities, which recognize non-Orthodox marriages and support a more inclusive approach to Jewish life. Knowing there were alternatives made Sarah feel less trapped by the system.
Outcome: After months of patience and perseverance, Sarah successfully made Aliyah. She arrived in Israel and immediately connected with a welcoming community of Olim (immigrants) who understood her journey and provided support during her transition. Her first Shabbat in Jerusalem, surrounded by the ancient walls of the Old City, felt like the culmination of everything she had worked for. Despite the emotional and bureaucratic challenges, Sarah was finally home.
Post-Aliyah Life: Today, Sarah is thriving in Israel. She found a community in Tel Aviv that welcomes Jews from all backgrounds, including converts. She continues to observe Shabbat, attend Torah study classes, and immerse herself in the vibrant Jewish life that surrounds her. While Sarah is aware of the challenges she might face with the Chief Rabbinate regarding marriage and other personal status issues, she has found peace in knowing that her identity as a Jew is unshakable. We continue to support Sarah in her journey, offering guidance and community as she builds her life in the Jewish homeland.
Conclusion: Sarah’s case is a powerful example of how, even in the face of bureaucratic scrutiny, emotional strain, and religious obstacles, a deep commitment to Jewish identity and the dream of making Aliyah can be realized. By providing both practical assistance and emotional support, we helped Sarah navigate the complex process of making Aliyah as a convert, turning what could have been a discouraging experience into one of fulfillment and personal triumph.
This personal and detailed case study illustrates the unique challenges faced by converts making Aliyah and how we can help them successfully navigate the journey while providing much-needed emotional support.