As one may know already, as I repeatedly have mentioned before, if you convert non Orthodox in Israel(or outside) you aren’t accepted as a Jew by the Rabbinate (any only considered such within Israel by the government if you convert outside Israel). But one thing that is not always on the front page as the issue of non Orthodox conversions are Orthodox conversions conducted outside Israel that aren’t accepted. Orthodox Rabbis who want their conversions accepted, who are outside Israel, must be on a special list of acceptable Rabbis. Why is this “to die for” list so small? Because those on such list follow a conversion practice and expectations quite strinuous. Some deny a convert if they “catch” them doing immodest and unothodox activites – or atleast not Orthodox enough. Some conversion practices have even been considered against many Jewish texts, including the annulment of a conversion based on a belief or suspecting of the convert to have become less observant afterwards. This is against much of Judaism, except for in some extreme cases, because of the belief that converts are equal to birthright Jews and the belief of “once a Jew, always a Jew”. So how does this affect Jews wishing to become Israelis, Jews in America(with or without intentions of becoming Israelis), and so on? Does it look bad on the Jewish people in general that expectations of becoming “one of us” is strigent more and more? What are the reasons behind such expectations? All of these questions, don’t have one of five answers. They are as diverse as the individuals who seek conversion. But with a new year and with requirements for Orthodox conversions in Israel becoming increasing, Jew vs Jew, is the fabric of the Jewish people ripping apart over who is and who isn’t a Jew? This seems like an issue with more to come.