Think You're Jewish? Think Again.

This week's Jewish Week has a troubling article: http://thejewishweek.com/news/newscontent.php3?artid=12414

The gist of the article is right in the first paragraph:

"In what appears to be a direct challenge to the legitimacy of the largest branch of Orthodox Jewry in America, the Chief Rabbinate in Israel is refusing to accept conversions performed by several leading Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) rabbis here."

O� boy.

I found out about this story from my wife, for whom this story hits very close to home. You see, my wife is a convert, and the Beit Din that converted her was, I believe, an RCA Beit Din. Now what happens if we decide to go on Aliyah?

The example given in the story of a young woman who studied at Lincoln Square Synagogue for three years prior to her conversion, performed by three Rabbis I know and respect greatly, is heartbreaking. Here is a woman who has made a conscious decision to be Jewish. Forget the three years of her life spent studying; How about the rest of her life? Here's someone who made a conscious decision to be Jewish. She wasn't born to it. She didn't have to chose a lifestyle that essentially limits what jobs you can hold, where you can eat, what places you can live or what clothing you can wear. She didn't have to separate herself from the lifestyle that surrounds her. She had a choice and she chose to be Jewish�. and we honor that choice by telling her she's not Jewish.

Another troubling quote from the article:

"Some rabbis feel that the chief rabbinate has become more haredi in recent years and is seeking to raise the bar in terms of halachic standards."

Hnh? I know that as a religion we dissuade converts, and I think that's a positive thing in some ways. However, by setting the bar too high we risk loosing those we already have. If we start by holding all converts to this matter, how long before we begin holding all Jews to that standard? I don't like that idea. Let each person be as frum or not frum as they can be and leave that between them and HaKadosh Baruch Hu.

On the other hand, there's one thing I do sort of agree with in the article:

"He intimated that the Chief Rabbinate will no longer accept conversions performed by community, synagogue or other rabbis who do not specialize in conversion"

While I�m not 100% in agreement, I do think that Rabbonim who are not "up" on the topic should refer potential converts to specialists on the topic. I think that's just a good idea, especially in light of the Rabbinate's position.

I think it is very important that anyone who knows a convert that is planning on going on Aliyah or who is planning on marrying or having any sort of Simcha in Israel make them aware of this change at once.

All-in-all, this saddens me. More barrier building between Jews in general, a slap in the face to many converts and many more Rabbonim, and on a personal level, a reason to make some phone calls.

Comments are welcome.