Uruguay hosts Israeli Rabbinate Court

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay - Sept. 10, 2014 - PRLog -- The Jewish community of Uruguay hosted this week a tribunal of three religious judges (dayanim) for the purpose of converting interested Uruguayan residents to Judaism. The judges were sent by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. They were invited by the Chief Rabbinate of Uruguay and were hosted by the Yavne synagogue of Montevideo. This was a historic visit, representing the first time such a delegation has come to Uruguay and the first time in generations that any such tribunal has operated in Uruguay.

There were ten conversion candidates who were tested by the tribunal. All ten candidates were approved, which according to the judges, was a rare and impressive accomplishment as in most such visits, not all candidates pass. The candidates were trained by Rabbi Oved Avrej, responsible for the conversion program, an intensive long-term course of study and involvement in the Jewish community.

Subsequent to the successful conversions, five couples were married in consecutive ceremonies witnessed by the judges and officiated by the Rabbi of the Yavne synagogue, Rabbi Michael Rubinstein.

“This is a milestone event for the Jewish community of Uruguay,” stated Uruguayan Chief Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz, “which strengthens our community in an incalculable way and reinforces our connection with the Israeli Rabbinate. The thorough and dedicated instruction by Rabbi Avrej and the support that the community provides can serve as a model for many communities around the world as to how to facilitate and strengthen the integration of new members to our communities in ways that elevate the entire commitment of the community to Jewish life, practice and continuity.”

Previously, candidates interested in conversion needed to undertake the long and expensive trip to Israel. By bringing the judges to the candidates, the Rabbinates and its leadership have enabled the conversion of greater numbers of worthy candidates, many of which had been waiting for years for the opportunity. It is expected that due to the great success of the tribunal's visit, they will return again to Montevideo in the foreseeable future.