This is a story about a man named John Anzola.  John arrived in Israel 15 years ago from Colombia.  He came here to work as a caregiver for the elderly.  John’s services were much in demand.  His strength lay in his ability to listen, to be interested, and to learn from his clients.  John’s special curiosity concerning Jews and Judaism delighted his elderly clients, who opened before him a window to their world.  Over the years, John discovered a real need deep within himself to belong, to become a part of the Israeli story and a part of the Jewish people. 

John fell in love with Jews and with Judaism.  He turned to the Reform Movement in Ramat Gan (near his home) and found that it offered conversion classes, led by Rabbi Edgar Nof--himself fluent in Spanish and a native of Argentina.  At the conclusion of his studies, John was told that the conversion ceremony itself would have to be done abroad because Reform and Conservative conversions that are done in Israel are not recognized by the State. 

John flew to Buenos Aires.  There, he successfully passed the examination of the Jewish Court, was circumcised, and immersed himself in a mikvah.  John returned to Israel with a Reform conversion certificate--but the state authorities refused to recognize his conversion. 

John turned to us for help, and we petitioned in his name and in the name of other liberal converts to Israel’s Supreme Court.  On the list of petitioners are converts who have been in Israel for many years, fluent in Hebrew, taxpayers, and above all, people who live a Jewish way of life.  We demanded that the State recognize these Reform and Conservative converts as Jewish. 

The Supreme Court was not hasty in its decision.  Far from it.  Rabbi Uri Regev, Esq. and Attorney Nicole Maor had to return again and again to the Court and argue before the Justices.   Six long years passed.  Finally, on March 31, 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that a conversion begun in Israel with a rigorous course of study and concluded with a ceremony abroad was legally valid and should be recognized by the State of Israel for both Jewishness and citizenship.  As the Court’s ruling was read aloud John burst into tears.

Welcome to Judaism and to Israel John Anzola.  You have something precious to teach us in your passionate romance with the Jewish people and the Jewish religion.   I pray that we will be worthy of your love.

B'Shalom,

Anat Hoffman