Frequently asked questions

The court is headed by Rabbi Haim Amsalem, its Av Beit Din. The court sits in Jerusalem and follows the halachic approach of Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel, of blessed memory, Rishon LeZion and Chief Rabbi of Israel.

The court is operated by the Mekabetz Nidchei Israel association (a registered non-profit). The Zera Israel Foundation supports its work.

In November 2026 Israel's Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal by the Population and Immigration Authority and ruled that conversions performed by the Ahavat HaGer court must be recognised for the purposes of the Law of Return and the Population Registry. The ruling deals with the Law of Return and the Population Registry. It does not deal with recognition by the Chief Rabbinate, for example for marriage registration. In the introductory conversation we will explain what this means in your case.

The court rules according to halacha, with an approach that brings close those who wish to join the Jewish people, especially Zera Yisrael and descendants of the Anusim. The approach rests on the rulings of Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Hai Uziel and on the tradition of the sages of Sepharad and North Africa, as set out in the books of Rabbi Haim Amsalem.

The court sits in Jerusalem. Sometimes sessions are also held outside Israel. The date and place of a hearing are set together with each candidate.

A member of the court gets back to you for a short introductory conversation. It does not commit you to anything. At the end you will know which path fits you and what the next step is.

The site is available in Hebrew and English. You can fill in the forms in any language, and the form lets you choose your preferred language for the conversation. We will try to arrange an answer in your language.

Applications are from age 18. To write to us about a child or teenager under 18, the parent or guardian writes to us through the contact form.

Yes. In every form you can mark that you are filling it in for someone else, for example a parent, a partner or an accompanying rabbi. We will ask for your contact details and the candidate's name, and ask you to make sure they agree.

A letter from a rabbi or a figure in a Jewish community who knows you helps us get to know your path. You can attach it to the application or send it later. If you do not have such a connection yet, you can still apply, and we will guide you.

1. Enquiry and introductory conversation.
2. A full application, with the documents required.
3. Study and guidance in your language, and connection with a community.
4. A hearing at the court and acceptance of the mitzvot.
5. For men: brit milah or hatafat dam brit, by a qualified mohel.
6. Immersion in a mikveh.
7. Continued study and Jewish life in a community.

No. Most people start without prior knowledge. Study is part of the process, and you can study in your language.

Zera Yisrael are people with Jewish roots who are not Jewish according to halacha, for example someone whose father or grandfather is Jewish. Rabbi Haim Amsalem wrote about this at length in his book "Zera Yisrael". In this approach, they should be brought close and their conversion process eased, within the bounds of halacha.

Yes. The return of the descendants of the Anusim to the Jewish people is a central part of the court's mission. Tell us in the form what you know about your family's roots. Partial documents or family stories also help.

Yes. In the application you can choose "Applying as a family" and give the number of children. In the introductory conversation we will explain how the process fits each member of the family.

Write to us through the contact form and choose the topic "Conversion certificates and documents". Give the name that appeared in the case and the year of conversion, approximately if you are not sure.

Conversion is the start of the path. We recommend continuing to study and joining a Jewish community where you live, and we will gladly help you find one.

Yes. Only the court staff handling your enquiry can see your details, and they are used only for that. We do not pass them to anyone for marketing.

An enquiry that did not become a case is deleted at your request. A conversion case is kept permanently, because converts and authorities turn to us for confirmations years later. You can always see your information and ask to correct it. Full details in the privacy policy.