Conversion Bill: Still the subject of concern

Once again, the Rotem Conversion Bill has become a subject of concern. And once again, our colleagues in Israel, led by Rabbi Gilad Kariv and counsel at IRAC, in cooperation with ARZA USA, the Conservative Movement and the Federations of North America, and with the support of Natan Sharansky, Chair of the Jewish Agency, have addressed the issues.

There is a moratorium to which the Government has agreed, to permit a negotiated solution to the problem, now extending until July 2011. This time, in addition, a round table on conversion has been established to create a mechanism to address conversion issues.

Attached, please find two documents relating to the moratorium on the Conversion Bill:

a letter from Natan Sharansky outlining the extension of the moratorium on the Rotem Conversion Bill that was reached among the parties and which will now extend until July 1, 2011; and

a copy of the agreement to continue the freeze as sent to the Supreme Court on behalf of the Reform and Conservative Movements  and the plaintiffs – the converts.

We understand that the Prime Minister was involved in pressing both Israel Beiteinu and Shas to agree to this extension. Our thanks to Natan Sharansky, Chair of the Jewish Agency,  our representative from the IMPJ, Rabbi Gilad Kariv, and IRAC, for assisting in negotiating this important interim agreement. Arzenu participates in the coalition which is working to resolve these issues.

B'vracha

Joan Garson

Chair: Arzenu

Letter from Natan Sharansky.10.01.2011.doc

Conversion Bill: agreement for the continuation of the freeze.doc