Last update - 00:00 24/06/2007
Ethiopian youths march for right to take conversion exam
Fifty-nine Ethiopian immigrant youths on Sunday began a march from the Yifat immigrant absorption center in Arad to Be'er Sheva to demand that they be allowed to appear before rabbinical conversion courts for final conversion exams.
The youths have waited more than a year and a half to be summoned for conversion tests at the rabbinical courts to complete their conversions. Converting would allow the youths to change their status from permanent residents to citizens of Israel.
One of the marchers, Teddy, said "we want to convert and have waited over a year and a half. That's why we decided to march, in spite of the heat, in the hope that someone will hear us and understand how much we want this."
Conditions set by the 'Shebot Am" Jewish identity center for conversion have delayed the final conversion exams for around 150 Ethiopian immigrant youth, all of whom finished their Judaism studies as part of the "Kidma" program.
An official who works in conversions in Israel stated that a few weeks ago authorities at the rabbinical courts decided that before youths would be allowed to appear before the court for their exams, they would have to inform them if they will live in a community where they will be capable of following Jewish Law.
"Without even meeting or seeing them, the court has already judged them harshly," the official stated.
Rabbi Moshe Klein deputy head of the conversion process issued a response stating that "We identify with and feel the pain of these youths. Unfortunately, the number of applicants has increased dramatically in recent years and not all have fulfilled the necessary requirements. In the coming days, we will make efforts to solve these problems and will meet with all the relevant authorities including head of the Ministry of Absorption Erez Halfon."
Klein called on the youths to end their march and return to the absorption center.
The Jewish Agency has issued a statement that it supports the youths' struggle to convert.