Jerusalem – Thursday, August 30th was an eventful day for Nasreen Qadri: the popular Arab-Israeli singer celebrated her 32nd birthday, changed her name to Bracha and, according to one rabbi, successfully completed her conversion to Judaism.
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But that conversion will not be accepted by the Israeli Rabbinate, which said on Monday that only conversions performed under its auspices can be recognized under Israeli law.
According to Arutz Sheva (http://bit.ly/2Ptk4sG), Qadri began her conversion two years ago while she was engaged to a Jewish man. That relationship eventually petered out after succumbing to societal and familial pressures, but Qadri continued her mission to become Jewish under the guidance of Rabbi Dudu Dery, who refers to himself on Facebook as “the singing rabbi.”
Qadri grew up in Haifa in a Muslim family. She made waves in 2012 when she won the Israeli musical reality show Eyal Golan Is Calling You as an Arab singer, launching her career as a solo artist.
After a quiet ceremony at the Kosel, a trip to the mikvah and a small dinner with friends on Thursday, Qadri announced her conversion to her fan base, reported YNet (https://bit.ly/2LSl8Eh). The often controversial right wing Lehava, which has been extremely vocal in its attempts to combat assimilation in Israel, decried Qadri’s conversion.
“After a clear investigation it was found that conversion is not recognized in the State of Israel by the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Interior and it is unnecessary to note that conversion that does not include acceptance of the yoke of Heaven and mitzvot has no validity,” said Lehava in a statement.
Despite her intent to use her new name, Bracha, Qadri will still be listed as an Arab by Israel’s Ministry of Interior.
As an Arab-Israeli singer, Qadri has found herself performing in front of diverse crowds and in a 2017 interview with YNet (http://bit.ly/2Cg28Ae), Qadri said that she sees music as a great unifier. Having performed in both Israel’s official Independence and Memorial Day ceremonies, she feels strongly about being a voice for positivity in an often turbulent world.
“My message is one of peace and harmony, against racism and against violence,” said Qadri.
“Music can bring people together and that’s what I am doing.”
An Instagram post from last summer bearing Qadri’s picture bore a quote from the singer saying, “Those who call for boycott are only trying to divide us. I was lucky to be born in Israel and I am grateful for the opportunity to build bridges of understanding.”
The fact that the Rabbinut doesn’t recognize the conversion may not necessarily be a ריעתא. In the US, everything depends on the Rav. Probably also true in Haifa. So reserve judgment until all the facts are known..
There is no democracy when religion and government are intertwined.
I recently spoke to RCA about geirus questions regarding Israel’s recognition of outside conversions. In short, the stamp of approval by the Israeli Rabbanut whether a conversion is good has no bearing on whether or not someone is ACTUALLY Jewish or not, so long as the rabbis involved were frum, and the convert loves a life of piety.