Why is it more difficult for a young Israeli to convert to Judaism?

January 5, 2018   

במפגשים בין שלוחי הרבי בעולם ובין שלוחים בארץ עולה לעיתים השאלה, איזו שליחות קשה ומאתגרת יותר. במבט ראשון נראה שהשליחות בקצווי תבל קשה יותר. הריחוק, הבדידות, קשיי החינוך, המורכבות הכרוכה בהשגת מזון כשר. גם חיפוש היהודים בפינצטה הוא אתגר לא פשוט.

In this sense, it is much easier in Israel. Even those who live in a relatively remote place can reach the center, where all their needs are, in a short drive. A suitable school for children can be found nearby, and at most the journey to it will be somewhat longer. And there are Jews here in abundance, almost like the blue sea on the shore...

It's not easy in Israel.

But in other ways the situation is the opposite.

Jews abroad feel more the need to connect with the Chabad House. We see this every day in Chabad houses for travelers. Young people here in Israel did not feel any need to connect with religion and tradition, and it never occurred to them to enter a Chabad House or a similar place – they seek out the Chabad House there and feel a desire to participate in prayer, a holiday meal, or a Torah lesson.

The Jew living abroad feels that he needs a connection with Judaism and tradition in order to feel Jewish. Here in Israel, a feeling can take root that simply living in the country, speaking Hebrew, and socializing with Jews is enough to be Jewish.

Therefore, while abroad the emissary fulfills a visible and conscious need, in Israel he is required to convince that this need even exists.

This is precisely why activity in the country is more vital and necessary. The young Israeli grows up with the feeling that Judaism is not lacking for him, and he does not know that he should seek it out. As a graduate of the Israeli education system, he feels that he has received the knowledge he needs, and he has no idea how much he lacks the most basic knowledge of Israel's heritage.

Unlike young people abroad, many of whom absorb the message at home that they should seek Jewish partners, the average Israeli young man is not raised on the knees of this value. On the contrary, opposition to mixed marriages is presented in the media as prejudice and even racism. Articles are often published that describe mixed marriages in positive terms, as a bold step that breaks stigmas. When such a young man goes out into the world, he does not have the mental strength to avoid a relationship that leads to assimilation.

A rare connection

827 Chabad emissaries across the country, operating 412 Chabad houses, are starting their activities from a much more difficult point. The political tension in the country and the struggles over religion and state do not make the work any easier. Nevertheless, the emissaries are doing their work and achieving impressive and exciting achievements.

Since Chabad is an apolitical organization, it does not have a connection to generous state budgets. The emissary is required to obtain the funding for its activities on its own. To add penny to penny and recruit more donors and more partners.

But when you enter those Chabad houses, you see the wonderful connection that has been created there between Jews of all ethnicities and classes. Everyone feels a sense of home there, where every Jew is received with love and warmth, and where the unity of Israel is a real reality and not a slogan.