About Keter Shem Tov Conversion School
History and International Recognition
The Keter Shem Tov Conversion School has existed for 15 years since its foundation. However, we began operating as a full-fledged educational institution in 2017. Over these 7 years, we have achieved significant success and gained international recognition. We work with students from various countries, including China, Russia, Latin America, and South America, offering both online and in-person classes.
Legal Precedent and Recognition of Private Conversions
In 2022, an important legal precedent was set in Israel, initiated by lawyer Tomer Warsha. According to the court ruling, private conversions by officially recognized rabbinical courts are now accepted by the Israeli Ministry of Interior on par with state conversions. This decision significantly changed the approach to the process of repatriation and recognition of people as Jews, providing more opportunities for those who sincerely strive to become part of the Jewish people.
Rabbi Avraham Shem Tov
The founder of the Keter Shem Tov Conversion School is Rabbi Avraham Shem Tov.
Rabbi Avraham Shem Tov was born in Israel and held a commanding position in the army. He received his rabbinical ordination in 1998 and is the rabbi of an Orthodox community in Nahariya. Rabbi Avraham Shem Tov has been involved in teaching and guiding Orthodox conversions since 2002.
Ariela Elmaliah - School Director, Senior Teacher
Ariela Elmaliah worked in the state conversion system and the NATIV system for over 10 years. For the past two years, Ariela Elmaliah has held the position of director of the Keter Shem Tov School.
Requirements for Conversion Recognition
For a conversion in Israel to be recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Interior, it is necessary to prove the sincerity of the candidate’s intentions. This means that a person must show that they have embraced Judaism not for the sake of obtaining citizenship, but truly desire to live as a Jew, observing traditions and laws.
Our Authority
We are proud to be practically the only institution in Israel and worldwide authorized to conduct private Orthodox conversions recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Interior.
Role of Our School
The Keter Shem Tov Conversion School is one of the few institutions authorized to conduct private conversions recognized by the Israeli Ministry of Interior. We are proud to remain one of the leading private courts in this field and strive to help everyone who sincerely wishes to embrace Judaism.
International Approach and Teaching Staff
We take pride in our international teaching staff, which allows us to offer instruction in various languages. Our school provides teaching in Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, English, and Turkish. This enables us to reach a wide range of students and provide quality education for all those wishing to undergo conversion.
The Keter Shem Tov Conversion School continues to work towards ensuring that every candidate feels like a welcome and valued member of the Jewish people. Our efforts are directed at creating an inclusive and supportive community where everyone can find their place and feel part of the Jewish community.
If you have any questions or want to start your journey towards conversion, please contact us. We are always happy to help and support you on this important path.
