The Law of Return is one of the pillars of the state of Israel. It posits that everyone who has one Jewish grandparent has the right to immigrate to Israel and receive citizenship.

Some members of the new Israeli governing coalition have raised strong opposition to the “grandfather clause” and recognizing conversions that are not performed by Orthodox rabbis. 

If this law changes and is more restrictive, then it will have a direct impact on many would be immigrants, especially from the Former Soviet Union. If the status quo on conversion is affected, there could be a major impact on the North American Jewish community.

The Jewish Agency, as the main historical conduit for Aliyah, is in the forefront of the negotiations about this issue. Come to this private briefing during the JFN Conference to learn about these negotiations from Mark Wilf, Charmain of the Board of Governors of The Jewish Agency in conversation with Jeff Schoenfeld.