April 7, 2022 – In recent months the Religious Zionist community has engaged in intense and passionate debate regarding proposed reforms to the conversion process in Israel. While the issues surrounding the legislation are nuanced and complex, what is indisputable is that the underlying challenge it seeks to address is significant and that there is Continue Reading »
Shavei Israel and Rabbinical Council of America to open English-language conversion institute in Jerusalem. January 13, 2020 – The Jerusalem-based non-profit Shavei Israel, in partnership with the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), is opening a new English-language conversion institute in Jerusalem. The institute, named Machon Milton, will operate under the auspices of Israel’s Chief Rabbinate Continue Reading »
Whereas as the Torah commands us to “love the convert” (e.g., Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 10:19); and, Whereas the Torah warns against the mistreatment of a convert thirty six times, and according to some, forty six times (Bava Metzia 59b); and, Whereas the Talmud (ibid.) rules that one who hurts the feelings of a convert, or Continue Reading »
The Rabbinical Council of America strongly objects to the latest decisions of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s office rejecting the endorsement of leading rabbinic figures in North America of the status of at least two converts. While we have worked assiduously with the Rabbinate in the past to assure the integrity of converts, recent missteps Continue Reading »