One of the most critical documents for making Aliyah under the Law of Return is the rabbinic letter — a signed declaration by a recognized Jewish religious authority confirming your Jewish status. Whether you’re born Jewish or converted, this letter is often the linchpin of your Aliyah file. Yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood, frequently rejected, and poorly prepared documents submitted to the Ministry of Interior.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the rabbinic letter — including who must write it, what it must say, how to avoid rejection, and what to do if you’ve converted or have no rabbi.
What Is a Rabbinic Letter?
A rabbinic letter is a formal written declaration from a recognized Jewish rabbi or clergy member stating that you are Jewish according to Jewish law (halacha) or that you have undergone a valid conversion.
The letter is used to:
- Verify that you are Jewish and eligible for Israeli citizenship under the Law of Return
- Establish your maternal Jewish lineage
- Confirm the validity and details of any conversion to Judaism
Without this letter, your application cannot proceed — even if you have other supporting documents like a Jewish name, synagogue membership, or ketubah.
Who Needs a Rabbinic Letter?
You need a rabbinic letter if:
- You are Jewish by birth (especially through maternal lineage)
- You are a convert (Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform)
- Your parents or grandparents are Jewish and you’re applying under the grandchild clause
- Your family is known to be Jewish, but you lack sufficient civil documentation (e.g., from Holocaust-survivor families)
Even people born to clearly Jewish mothers are typically asked to provide a rabbinic letter to confirm their halachic status.
Who Can Write the Rabbinic Letter?
The letter must be from a recognized rabbi who meets the following criteria:
| Required | Details |
|---|---|
 Ordained |
Must be a semicha-ordained rabbi |
| Affiliated |
Must be affiliated with a known synagogue, congregation, or Jewish organization |
| Relationship |
Should have personal knowledge of the applicant and/or their family |
| Letterhead |
Must be written on official synagogue or institutional letterhead |
| Language |
Preferably written in Hebrew or English; French and Russian are also accepted |
Important: A family friend or unaffiliated “rabbi” without formal credentials or community ties will likely not be accepted by Israeli authorities.
Required Content of the Rabbinic Letter
The letter must be formal, factual, and detailed. It should include the following:
Header
- Synagogue or institution’s full name, address, and logo
- Rabbi’s full name, title, and contact details
Opening Statement
- “To Whom It May Concern” or “To the Ministry of Interior, State of Israel”
Required Details
- The applicant’s full legal name as it appears on passport
- A clear statement that the applicant is:
- Jewish according to halacha, OR
- Has undergone a valid conversion to Judaism
- Confirmation that the rabbi has personal knowledge of the applicant and/or their Jewish family background
- If applicable, names of the applicant’s Jewish parents, especially the mother
- If the applicant is a convert:
- Full details of the conversion (rabbinical court, date, place)
- Statement that the conversion was conducted according to halacha and involved mikvah and, where required, brit milah
- Rabbi’s signature and date
Sample Language (Jewish by Birth)
“This letter is to confirm that [Applicant Full Name], daughter of [Mother’s Full Name], is Jewish according to Jewish law. I have known her and her family personally for many years. Her mother, [Mother’s Name], is Jewish by birth, and there has been no conversion in the family line. I am an ordained rabbi affiliated with [Synagogue/Community].”
Sample Language (Converted Jew)
“This letter is to certify that [Full Name] converted to Judaism under my supervision and the oversight of a recognized rabbinical court on [Date] in [City/Country]. The conversion was performed in accordance with halachic requirements, including immersion in a mikvah and (where applicable) circumcision. I am an ordained Orthodox/Conservative/Reform rabbi affiliated with [Synagogue or Rabbinical Court].”
Additional Documents That May Be Requested
Depending on your case, you may also be asked to submit:
- Conversion certificate
- Beth Din letter (if converted through a rabbinical court)
- Maternal grandmother’s documents (for grandchild clause)
- Ketubah of parents or grandparents
- Family photos, burial records, synagogue membership letters
Common Reasons Rabbinic Letters Are Rejected
 Reason |
 What To Do |
|---|---|
| Letter not on official letterhead | Ask the rabbi to rewrite on institutional stationery |
| Rabbi is unknown or unaffiliated | Use a recognized community rabbi |
| No mention of applicant’s mother | Include maternal Jewish lineage |
| Letter too vague (“They identify as Jewish…”) | Must say “Jewish according to halacha” |
| Rabbi is deceased or unreachable | Find a new rabbi who can verify your Jewish status |
| Conversion details missing | Include full date, place, court, and conversion type |
Country-Specific Notes
| Country | Tip |
|---|---|
| USA/Canada/UK | Use a rabbi affiliated with a known denomination (OU, USCJ, URJ) |
| South Africa | Use a Beth Din-affiliated rabbi (e.g., UOS) |
| France | Use Consistoire or Rabbinat-based rabbinic authorities |
| Latin America | Use rabbis affiliated with AMIA, Masorti, or Orthodox kehillot |
| Australia | Seek rabbis from the Rabbinical Council of Victoria or NSW |
What If You Don’t Have a Rabbi?
If you’re secular or unaffiliated:
- Reach out to a local synagogue to begin building a relationship
- Ask if the rabbi would be willing to meet with you and your family
- Present any supporting documents (e.g., family ketubot, Jewish burial records, family tree)
- Easy Aliyah can assist in referring you to an appropriate rabbi or Jewish community
How Easy Aliyah Can Help
The rabbinic letter is often the most sensitive part of the Aliyah file. At Easy Aliyah, we help ensure that your letter is:
Written by a recognized, credentialed rabbi
Contains the correct language and religious terminology
Includes all legally required content (Jewish lineage, conversion details)
Properly formatted, signed, and translated (if needed)
Accepted by the Ministry of Interior without delay
We also assist:
- Applicants without a synagogue affiliation
- Converts with limited documentation
- Families with complex or mixed Jewish backgrounds
- Those who need help contacting overseas rabbinic courts or Beth Dins
With our support, you can navigate this deeply personal and sometimes bureaucratic process with professionalism and peace of mind.
Contact Easy Aliyah for confidential support with your rabbinic documentation.
Final Checklist: Rabbinic Letter for Aliyah
 Requirement |
Completed? |
|---|---|
| Written on official synagogue letterhead | |
| Rabbi is ordained and recognized | |
| Full name of applicant and Jewish parent(s) included | |
| Clear halachic status stated (“Jewish according to halacha”) | |
| For converts: date, place, court, and rabbi noted | |
| Signed and dated by rabbi | |
| Consistent with other documents (passport, birth certificate) | |
| Translated if necessary |