The Conversion Division in the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption was established at the beginning of 2004 after the Israeli government decided to transfer responsibility of the Institute of Jewish Studies to the Ministry, a place where immigrant citizens and soldiers learn for 10 months: Jewish studies, history, Zionism, Jewish heritage and culture.
Upon completion of studies in this program, the immigrants are summoned for an interview in a special conversion court that determines whether they have reached a level where they can become a member of the Jewish people.
In addition to the direct responsibility over the Institute, the Conversion Division helps and supports all other educational frameworks operating to prepare immigrants for conversion in order to increase the number of students and to offer a wider range of study options that are suitable for the varying character and needs of the immigrants.
The other frameworks include conversion ulpans run by the Ministry of Education and organizations and public associations.
The Conversion Division operates in the Ministry's four districts conversion coordinators who provide answers to immigrants' questions, issue updated information and provide study options suitable for the immigrants.
The Conversion Division publishes a vast amount of information in all forms of electronic and written media. It publishes information and explanation booklets on conversion, produces image films about conversion for the relevant immigrant population.
"An Entitled Participant" – One of the Following:
(1) An Israeli citizen immigrant or permanent resident who is not Jewish.
(2) Any non-Jewish person and who is not an immigrant with Israeli citizenship or permanent resident, and only if approved by the joint committee of the conversion division and Ministry of the Interior.
(3) A Jewish person with an Israeli citizenship or permanent resident status who joins an immediate family member (father, mother, brother, sister, son, daughter) studying who falls under the definition of Paragraph (1) or (2).
(4) An unmarried couple who are required by the court to study together for the conversion of one of the members who falls under the definition of Paragraphs (1) or (2).
"Immigrant"
Anyone who immigrated to Israel after 1 January 1989 and anyone born in Israel within less than 30 years from the day his parents immigrated to Israel until the fiscal year in which the application is filed.