The Court Paves the Way: Historic Recognition of the Regional Rabbinical Court in Gush Etzion

Judge Anat Singer

In another precedent-setting ruling handed down by the Jerusalem District Court, Judge Anat Singer ruled that a conversion conducted by the Regional Rabbinical Court in Gush Etzion must be recognized. This decision, which follows the Rozni Reis case, reflects a clear judicial trend of safeguarding the rights of converts in the face of bureaucratic hurdles.

An Eight-Year Journey

The story of Emily Rivka Goldstein began in her youth in France when she first became interested in Judaism. In 2014, already living in Israel, she began her conversion process at the "Ami" conversion institute in Tel Aviv. After two years of intensive study and integration into the Jewish community, she was referred to the Orthodox Regional Rabbinical Court in Gush Etzion, headed by the late Rabbi Yisrael Rosen.

Rabbi Rosen, a key figure in the national conversion system, was deeply impressed by Goldstein's sincerity and knowledge. In the summer of 2016, after a comprehensive examination before three rabbinical judges, she was granted a conversion certificate. However, this marked the beginning of an eight-year bureaucratic ordeal, during which she was forced to file three legal petitions.

Problematic Conduct by the Ministry of Interior

Despite submitting all required documentation to obtain legal status based on her conversion, the Israeli Ministry of Interior repeatedly rejected her application. Even after agreeing, following a petition to the High Court of Justice (Bagatz), to reexamine her request, the process dragged on for years. Meanwhile, her life continued: she married an Israeli Jew, lived in a Jewish community in Toronto for three years, and eventually returned to Israel.

Judge Singer harshly criticized the Ministry of Interior for failing to establish clear criteria for recognizing private rabbinical courts, as had been required by the landmark Regatshova ruling of 2016. In such complex cases, as noted by a recommended immigration attorney, professional legal counsel is essential to navigate the bureaucratic and legal challenges.

The Significance of Recognizing the Court

The ruling sets an important precedent by adding another court to the list of private rabbinical courts recognized in Israel. Until now, the courts led by Rabbi Karelitz and Rabbi Amsalem’s "Ahavat HaGer" have been recognized by court rulings. It is important to note that while some may qualify for an expedited conversion process, in Goldstein's case, a full conversion process was required.

Judge Singer emphasized that the Gush Etzion court was led by rabbis with extensive experience in the national conversion system and that their standards were no less rigorous than those of the official system. This ruling represents a significant victory for converts and for those who seek to undergo conversion under private rabbinical courts.

Summary and Implications

This decision establishes a key legal precedent and signals the ongoing judicial trend of protecting the rights of converts. It highlights the importance of strong and professional legal representation, which successfully led to the historic recognition of an additional rabbinical court and secured the convert’s rights after an eight-year battle.

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