This whole argument is based on the flawed premise that reform rabbis will go around issuing conversion certificates to anyone who asks for one. This may demonstrate astonishing ignorance but that is no excuse for writing such nonsense. I have some albeit limited knowledge of the process of reform conversion in England and only sincere converts are passed by the beth din. There is a lengthy period of study (a minimum of one year) and candidates attend synagogue regularly and celebrate festivals with the community. The process has also been designed specifically to meet with halachic requirements, which could be acceptable to orthodox Judaism. Finally, following approval of the individual's community Rabbi, the candidate goes for a viva before the beth din, where only those sincerely commited to a Jewish life are accepted as jews. This (irrational and unfounded) fear of a sudden influx of economic migrants from 'afro-asian' nations seems nothing more than a thinly veiled, xenophobic rant aimed against non-whites. I wonder what our Etheopian brothers and sisters will make of this. . Rabbi Rosen's article is full of prejudice and ignorance and really is quite unbecoming of a rabbi. This would be laughable, if he wasn't serious.

Admittedly the High Court decision is frought with dangers..Sad that the Ortho religious and politcal establishments are the catalyzers to this step. If hundreds of serious candidates for conversion could achieve their goals respectfully here and could openly identify with non-Ortho relgious movements that exist in Israel..there may not have been need for this. Shabbat Shalom... "And sho is like your nation of Israel..one people..."

Stephen, I am also very aware of the Reform movement in London - having grown up in it myself. The Reform movement in the UK is NOTHING like the Reform movement in the US. In the US - they are the same in name only. I have respect for the British Reform movement which is far more similar to the Conservative movement than anything else. Believe me, the Reform movement conversion in the US is much, much easier than what you describe. Don't take my word for it - ask most American Reform Jews and they will tell you. Don't let your ignorance destroy your people.

Rabbi Rosen's arguments against the high Court's decision to recognize converts who have studied in Israel and were converted abroad constitute a defemation of character of all Reform and Conservative rabbis. As if we are just waiting to mass convert whole populations in order to inundate Israel with undesirables who are only waiting to receive free health benefits here. Really, Rabbi Rosen! I know that you are not naive enough to believe what you have written. And if that is so, you must have no self respect or respect for your non orthodox colleagues who uphold standards of Jewish leadership no less than you do. And what about the Orthodox rabbis who will convert and register a person if the price is right. One who lives in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. So let's stop the recriminations and help preserve and enhance the Jewish People together.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but who in their right minds is going to take on the "burden" of being Jewish for the sake of a "health benefits package"?

The [pure]goyish Russians have it easy. A large minority of the million are not halachicly Jewish or outright gentiles who used the grandfather clause. Believe it or not, many came to Israel for the economic benefits and didn't have to convert. If you're not Russian, than the reform conversion is the next easy ticket.

and agree with Stephen#1. My conversion process was much as Stephen described. I was embedded in the Jewish community and attended synagogue regularly observing the Holidays and Festivals throughout the calendar year, while studying alongside my rabbi during the week. The entire process took one years time to complete. Of course, it didn't hurt that I grew up in a Jewish neighborhood in New York as a young adolescent and had Jews in the family. Besides that, Reform has undergone some major changes in the last 20yrs. It has been highly influenced by Conservative drawing more closer to it. Additionally, vice-versa, for that matter. If the trend continues, I expect the two will merge into one expression in the near future. We are already comfortable in each others synagogues.

Now for the first time in history (better late than never) the Israelis will get to know first hand, what Reform and Conservative Judaism are all about. Israelis will no longer be forced to uncritically accept the biased opinions, the ill conceived notions, the false premises, the half-truths, the misperceptions, the mean spirited antagonisms and their sources again in the same way. They will see with their own eyes, hear with their own ears, feel with their own hearts what Conservative and Reform Judaism offer them. And , they will make up their own minds. The false facade that has been presented to them through the years will come tumbling down revealing the truth that has been kept from them, and the motives of those who erected that false facade.