Ne'eman Committee Recommendations


The Ne'eman Committee, established to reach a compromise concerning Jewish conversions, completed its deliberations and reached agreement on several recommendations. The Chief Rabbinate Council is expected to consider these recommendations next week. Finance Minister Ya'akov Ne'eman, who chaired the committee, said that they are not offering a compromise, but a breakthrough for coexistence and mutual respect among Jews in Israel and throughout the world. The committee members agreed that all conversions in Israel will be conducted by the Chief Rabbinate Court. Prospective converts would be able to study in an institute administered by the Jewish Agency and taught by representatives of all three movements of Judaism. The Reform representatives on Ne'eman's commission endorsed the recommendations, but will not formally sign them unless they are approved by the Chief Rabbinate. Ne'eman presented the committee's conclusions to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. The Prime Minister praised the committee for reaching a solution and applauded those people who contributed to its success. He said this committee is an important step toward an overall solution to the conversion issue.

Source: Israel Radio, (January 23, 1998)