Latin American Jewish converts seek recognition under Israeli Law of Return

A 1927 communal decree by the Syrian Jewish community in Buenos Aires, later adopted across Latin America, has historically blocked Jewish converts and descendants of forced converts from Spain and Portugal (Bnei Anusim) from making aliyah to Israel. This takanah was originally intended to prevent insincere conversions, particularly to avoid intermarriage, and possibly to protect Jewish communities from persecution by the Catholic Church during a period when converts and rabbis were at risk. However, it has created a bureaucratic paradox where many Bnei Anusim, who have undergone Orthodox conversion and identify as religious Zionists, cannot make aliyah because their emerging communities are not recognized by Israeli authorities for immigration purposes.

There are young men and women in Latin America who have undergone conversion, identify as religious Zionists, and dream of serving in the IDF or performing National Service. Yet, because they belong to what Israel classifies as 'emerging communities' rather than recognized ones, they cannot make aliyah.

On July 6, the Nascent Sanhedrin, a contemporary body seeking to revive the historic Jewish high court, issued a ruling challenging this prohibition. While lacking legal authority, the ruling calls on the Chief Rabbinate and the Interior Ministry to accept these converts as a group, potentially opening the door for 10,000-15,000 Orthodox converts and their extended families. This move aims to rectify a nearly century-old policy that has prevented thousands from fully reintegrating into the Jewish people and immigrating to Israel.