For some reason many Batei Dinim feel the need to withhold conversion papers that prove someone has completed the conversion process. I find this to be incredibly wrong and it bothers me to the core. Why should someone who just completed one of the hardest things they will ever do, have to wait for their certificate of authenticity? To me, this is akin to those terrible foolish men who withhold gets from their former wives who wish to remarry and move on with their lives.
As many of you know, a good percentage of this blogs readership are converts or those wishing to convert. I have heard so many horror stories of converts not receiving their paperwork until the day of their wedding and many shadchanim, rightfully so, will not even set someone up unless they have the document proving their geirus. Many yeshivos and seminaries will not accept someone without the proper proof as well – yet some Rabbis and beis dins do this on a regular basis.
Is there any point to withholding the paperwork that proves someone to be Jewish? You just converted them, how can you be so callous. Withholding someones get or geirus papers is the highest form of douchebaggery you can achieve. Someone on Facebook said she “knew” of someone who quit Judaism right after she converted, but is an obvious minority a good reason to put people through another painful process when they want to just be fully practicing Jews already.
This is not a funny issue, if you have had this done to you and would like to tell your story I think it needs attention. You can comment below, or email your stories to me at [email protected]
Find out more about the conversion process on 4torah.com