Background
James and Rachel Williams presented an extraordinarily complex case when applying for aliyah. Both had been born to Christian families in London but had independently developed interest in Judaism during university, where they met in a Jewish studies course. After three years of study, they underwent Orthodox conversion together under the authority of the London Beth Din, a widely respected Orthodox rabbinical court.
Following their conversion and Jewish marriage, the couple attempted to have children but encountered fertility challenges. After several unsuccessful fertility treatments, they decided to pursue adoption. In 2018, they adopted Maya, a one-year-old child from India with no Jewish background. In accordance with Orthodox practice, they converted Maya as well, immersing her in the mikvah (ritual bath) and raising her with full Jewish observance from that point forward.
By 2023, when Maya was six, the Williams family had become pillars of their Orthodox synagogue in London. James served on the synagogue board, Rachel taught in the Hebrew school, and Maya attended Jewish day school. When James received a significant professional opportunity in Jerusalem, the family began exploring aliyah, only to encounter unprecedented questions about Maya’s status.
Despite Maya’s Orthodox conversion, questions arose because she had been converted as a dependent minor rather than making an independent choice as an adult. Additionally, her adoption by convert parents rather than born Jews created a unique convergence of circumstances that had limited precedent in Israeli immigration law.
The Challenge
The family’s application presented several extraordinary complications:
- Maya had undergone conversion as a dependent minor rather than making an adult choice
- Both her adoptive parents were converts rather than born Jews
- She had no genetic connection to anyone with Jewish ancestry
- Questions arose about whether her conversion might require reaffirmation at adulthood
- Her case represented an intersection of adoption law, conversion principles, and immigration policy
- Concerns existed about her religious status for future lifecycle events
- Her multicultural background added complexity to questions of identity and integration
Precedent Case: The Conversion Continuity Principle (2016)
The Williams family’s situation found resolution through the “Conversion Continuity Principle” established in 2016, which addressed questions about the status of minor converts and their integration into Jewish communities.
The principle established that: “When minor children undergo appropriate conversion procedures and subsequently receive consistent Jewish education and upbringing, their Jewish status for immigration purposes should be recognized on equal terms with born Jews. The sincerity of the family’s Jewish practice, the legitimacy of the converting authority, and the continuity of the child’s Jewish identity from conversion forward establish the authenticity of their Jewish status regardless of birth circumstances. While converts who become adults may theoretically renounce their Judaism, children raised with consistent Jewish identity from young ages develop authentic Jewish consciousness deserving recognition under the Law of Return.”
Resolution Process
Working with experts in both religious law and immigration policy, the Williams family developed a comprehensive application addressing their unique circumstances:
- Conversion Authentication:
- Complete documentation of both parents’ Orthodox conversions through the London Beth Din
- Certification of Maya’s conversion according to Orthodox requirements
- Letters from the supervising rabbis confirming the validity of all conversions
- Analysis of the London Beth Din’s widely recognized standing in the Orthodox world
- Documentation showing consistent acceptance of their conversions in Jewish communal life
- Jewish Life Evidence:
- Five years of records demonstrating Maya’s Jewish education and upbringing
- Documentation of the family’s synagogue involvement and community integration
- Evidence of consistent Jewish observance in the home
- Testimonials from community leaders regarding the family’s authentic Jewish practice
- Documentation of Maya’s Jewish day school attendance and religious development
- Legal Analysis:
- Expert opinions on the intersection of adoption law and religious conversion
- Precedent research on similar cases of converted adopted children
- Analysis of how the Law of Return had been applied in cases involving minor converts
- Documentation of the legal adoption process establishing full parental rights
- Comparison with other cases where minor conversions had been recognized
- Integration Planning:
- Connection with Orthodox communities in Jerusalem prepared to welcome the family
- School arrangements addressing Maya’s unique background and needs
- Support systems for Maya’s multicultural identity development
- Professional integration plans for both parents
- Housing arrangements in appropriate religious communities
Outcome
After a seven-month review process including consultation with religious authorities, the Ministry of Interior approved the family’s aliyah application, explicitly citing the Conversion Continuity Principle. The approval recognized all three family members as eligible Jews under the Law of Return, with Maya’s status established through her valid Orthodox conversion and consistent Jewish upbringing.
The approval stated: “This family represents the multifaceted nature of contemporary Jewish identity formation. The parents’ conversions through a recognized Orthodox Beth Din established their Jewish status, while their daughter’s conversion as a minor, followed by five years of consistent Jewish education and practice, has formed an authentic Jewish identity deserving recognition. The family’s demonstrated commitment to Orthodox Jewish life provides compelling evidence that these conversions represent genuine religious transformations rather than instrumental actions. For purposes of the Law of Return, all three family members qualify as Jews entitled to aliyah.”
The approval included acknowledgment that while it established eligibility for immigration, religious authorities might independently evaluate Maya’s status when she reached adulthood, particularly for marriage purposes—a standard approach to conversions performed on minors.
The Williams family successfully made aliyah in 2023 and settled in Jerusalem. James works as a financial analyst, while Rachel teaches English. Maya enrolled in a religious girls’ school where, despite her unique background, she has integrated well with her Israeli peers. The family has connected with a modern Orthodox community that has embraced their sincere commitment to Jewish life. While aware that Maya may face questions about her status when she reaches marriage age, they are raising her with the knowledge and tools to navigate Israel’s complex religious landscape.
Key Principles Established
This case reinforced several important principles regarding aliyah approval for converted adopted children:
- Minor conversions followed by consistent Jewish upbringing establish valid Jewish status for immigration
- Convert parents can transmit recognized Jewish status to their adopted and converted children
- The sincerity of religious practice following conversion strengthens recognition of Jewish status
- The standing of the converting authority carries significant weight in evaluations
- The distinction between immigration eligibility and religious status for other purposes is maintained
- The authenticity of Jewish identity emerges from sustained practice and education rather than birth circumstances
- The Law of Return accommodates diverse pathways to Jewish identity when properly documented
This case is now referenced when counseling Jewish converts with adopted children considering aliyah, demonstrating that families formed through both conversion and adoption can establish recognized Jewish status for immigration purposes through proper religious procedures and consistent Jewish living.
