UNWELCOME: Venezuelan Jews Barred From Immigrating to Israel Because ‘They Don’t Belong to a Jewish Community’. [archive] “Despite evidence, Ministry of Interior claims applicants – suffering from shortages in food and medication – haven’t been engaged enough in Jewish life.”

Following three years of study, in early 2014, they were converted by a Conservative rabbinical court, comprised of three American rabbis. Afterward, they joined a synagogue in Valencia, a recognized Jewish community about an hour’s drive away, where they have been active members ever since. 

The nine converts, all indigenous Venezuelans, belong to three families. In documentation presented to the Jewish Agency in November, Rabbi Juan Mejia, a Spanish-speaking rabbi from Oklahoma who oversaw the conversions, confirmed that they had all joined the Jewish community of Valencia at his recommendation. . . .

In a letter addressed to Jewish Agency officials several months ago, Mejia begged for compassion from the Israeli authorities, noting the severe shortages in food and medicine his converts were facing, as well as threats to their personal safety. “The country in which they live is collapsing around them,” he wrote. . . .

Last week, during a special Knesset caucus meeting attended by a delegation of American rabbis representing the various Jewish movements, the Israeli government was attacked for its indifference to the plight of the Venezuelan Jews. The issue was raised by Asher Lopatin, a prominent modern Orthodox rabbi. “These nine individuals underwent conversions that were 100 percent in line with the Law of Return,” he said, “and I am saying that as an Orthodox rabbi. They must be allowed to come to Israel.”

Leading the struggle in Israel on behalf of the nine converts is Rabbi Andy Sacks, director of the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly in Israel. “Sadly it is all too common that issues of race and denominational affiliation play into the decisions made by the Interior Ministry,” he said. . . .

In an email exchange with Haaretz, Mejia wrote: “More egregious than that Israel would deny people who fulfill the legal requirements their right of return is the fact that the actions of the Interior Ministry are continuing to put these people’s life at risk.”