February 15,2008
The Israeli Community of Venezuela informed officials that they were going to do an investigation on the large rise of religious conversions to Judaism in Venezuela. They believe some people have been converting as an easier way to emigrate to Israel. El Universal said that Pynchas Brener, the head rabbi of the Israeli Union in Caracas, told reporters he does not believe fake conversions are occurring and that he did not know the man detained in Tel Aviv or the Rabbi that confirmed that specific conversion. In the past few years about 200 Venezuelans have immigrated to Israel with these "fake" conversions. The man detained in Tel Aviv,was a representative of the Jewish Agency who admitted to being involved in the plot. The detained employee went on to say that he was simply assisting the Rabbi in charge. The Jerusalem Report mentioned that the employee simply wanted to be seen as productive and therefore endorsed these fake conversions. Both El Universal and Ha'aretz said people converted because of the economic situation in Venezuela and the benefits they could enjoy from the Jewish Agency once they arrived in Israel.Most of the Venezuelan Jews live in Ramle. Israel is investigating the Absorption and Interior Ministries of Israel in order to understand how such a large number of false converts made their way over.
This article displays a frightening trend. Conversion in Judaism is one of the best things people can do, when done correctly. These people are not only giving a bad name to Judaism, but also discouraging Israel from accepting more Jews in the future. It is interesting that during such time of anti-semitism some people would rather be Jewish, just to escape the situation.
Link to Original Article:http://www.groundreport.com/World/False-Conversions-to-Judaism-in-Venezuela-force-th/2855621
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