Expert: Rabbi Yechezkel Fox - 10/25/2009

Question
Rabbi,
I converted through a Conservative process about 8 years ago on my own--not for marriage. I married a wonderful Jewish man last year. We sometimes talk about making aliyah and wonder what it would take to ensure my conversion is considered valid in Israel. We have attended Orthodox shuls and I am comfortable there, although our level of observance could certainly be stronger.  I assume I would have to undergo another conversion, via orthodoxy, but would that be enough to allow us to make aliyah? It seems like a very political issue in Israel today.

B'Shalom.
Marilyn

Answer
Hi Marilyn,
          If you are married to a Jewish man, I don't think the State of Israel cares about anything else. As far as your conversion goes, any future children will not be able to get married within Israel by an Orthodox Rabbi. The same would obviously apply outside of Israel but here Conservative is virtually non-existent so they would be very limited.
All the best,
Rabbi Yechezkel Fox