Saturday, July 19, 2008

UJC, JAFI press Olmert on conversion - A Commentary

I read the article "UJC,JAFI press Olmert on conversion".  Since becoming officially a Jew and keeping up with the issue of conversion in Israel, I am frustrated and sadden.  How can one group of narrow-minded, prejudice individual set in judgment of who is a Jew and who is not?  I am angered when I see Orthodox Jews control every aspect of life in Israel.  It is dangerous.  Since when did G*d put them to over us? I have heard lies and misrepresentations of Reform Judaism on Israel National Radio, namely by Tovia Singer. In his and other Orthodox Jews opinion anyone who choose to convert to other branches of Judaism are not real Jews.  Makedah and I studied many years before we were able to find a Rabbi in the branch of Judaism we chose and convert.  There are countless other Jews who do not belong to or even wish to become Orthodox.  Why should the doors to our recognition be controlled by the Israeli Chief Rabbinate?  I were to make aliyah to Israel as the Orthodox groups are pushing, why would I be willing to die defending a country which does not accept me for me.  As  Black American, my life in Israel would be no different than here in America.  In both countries white people control what I can do and what I cannot.  In both countries I would be treated as if I were a "nobody".  Both countries have barriers whether legal or socially to hinder marriages they have ruled to be "taboo".  It seems to me being well versed in the Jewish Law should not allow them to hold a monopoly on conversions and conversion practices.  It should not matter if I converted in the United States Of America, The former Soviet Union or Europe.  Conversion is conversion and should be universally accepted in Israel. 

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