Woman Takes Final, Dramatic Step in Returning to Judaism
November 13, 2024
“return to Judaism” process in the Rabbinical Courts.
Over the past year, Yad L’Achim has shepherded hundreds of women through the “return to Judaism” process in the Rabbinical Courts.
These are women snared by Arab men who convinced them that their troubles would be over if only they converted to Islam and married them. They then moved to Arab communities – in Yehuda and Shomron, the Galilee, the Negev, or in mixed cities throughout the country – where they were nearly forgotten. That is until the angels from Yad L’Achim rescued them and their children, and returned them to the Jewish people.
One particularly moving story occurred recently. A., 41, embarked on a long and winding road back to Judaism. She wanted to complete the process, but something held her back. Even after being rescued from a violent Arab husband and being put up in a safe house by Yad L’Achim, she had difficulty coming to the Rabbinical Court and undergoing the “return to Judaism” procedure. The reason? She feared that the news of this dramatic step would get back to her Arab husband and lead to his seeking revenge. She could imagine him hauling her back to the Arab village, or even killing her.
Officials at Yad L’Achim gave her space. The social worker who had been assigned to her didn’t pressure her about the Rabbinical Court, but dropped gentle reminders from time to time to see if she was ready for the symbolic act that would lock in her destiny as a Jew.
Not long ago, something happened that made her realize the time had come to take the plunge. Her 12-year-old son, who’d escaped together with her from the village and was attending a Jewish religious school, happened to hear her tell someone that she was still registered at the Interior Ministry as a Muslim. This didn’t sit right with him. “We are Jews,” he told her. “We must not forget it, or put it on a back burner, even if we have to pay a price.”
After due deliberations, she was convinced, and asked to schedule a court hearing this past Elul. “I don’t want this to drag on,” she said. “I have to finish up this year – a year in which so many Jews have given their lives for their Judaism – as a Jew, and thus welcome the new year.”
Despite the Rabbinical Courts’ heavy case load, Yad L’Achim managed to get her a quick appointment, and, on Elul 9, she was set to undergo the special ceremony.
It turned out that on that very date A. was in Eilat, on a long-planned vacation with friends from work. She got up at 5 a.m. and caught the first bus to Yerushalayim, arriving just in time for her 11 a.m. court date. “It was an arduous journey but I knew I had to do it,” she said. “I felt I owed it to myself, my son, my soul.”
Reflecting on the case, a Yad L’Achim official said: “It is an inspiring story that illustrates the power of Jewish identity. Even in moments when it seems that all hope is lost, the Jewish spark is present, waiting for the right moment to ignite into a flame.”
