Getting married in Jerusalem

Rabbanut (Chief Rabbinate), Marriage Department: Those coming here are forced to prove their Jewishness without leaving any doubt. I have heard horror stories about those Rabbis working there but, in a way, it is great when someone is thoroughly checking the Jewish background of a person. Thus, liers won't have less chances. 

Jews who made Aliyah and want to get married in Jerusalems need different proofs of their Jewishness. A Ketubah from the parents, a letter from the Rabbi back in the home country and a confirmation from the municipality or the court of the home country stating that the person is either single, divorced or a widower. 

Converts who want to get married to a born Jew may face difficulties, as they are being checked and so is the potential spouse. There are cases where the Rabbanut refused to marry off converts to secular Jews. 

Photos: Miriam Woelke

ISRAEL: Unmarried Couples and the Law

Photo: Alisa Ruby 

B"H

Not every Jewish Israeli is religious and countless young unmarried secular couples like living together in order to try out whether the relationship works out. If yes, the couple may get married later on; if not, then the couple splits and the relationship is finished. No obligations and everyone will be free again. But is this really true ? 

A Canadian friend told me once that there is a law in Canada (at least in British Colombia) where partners of an unmarried relationship may claim inheritance in case one of the partners dies. Unbelievable, I thought and in Germany one must show a marriage certificate in order to inherit. 

Today I learnt that Canadian law seems to apply to Israel. Unmarried couples, no matter what age, living together in the same place and leading a marriage - like relationship, may find themselves in unconvenient positions. An unmarried couple living together for four or five months can already face obligations and court cases. 


For example:

Girlfriend and boyfriend living together, the boyfriend has to go to the army and is killed in action. In case the couple had live together for more than four or five months, the girlfriend may turn out as the main inheriter. Lets say the boyfriend owned the apartment, the girlfried is entitled to inherit the estate if the boyfriend didn't make a will or there is no further legal agreement. 

Problems also may occur in case the boyfriend / girlfriend throws his or her partner out of the house. Then the person thrown out may claim compensation for a certain time (three months or whatever the judge decides). 

The solution is that while you are deeply in love, not to loose your common sense. Before moving together, an unmarried couple should go to a lawyer and make an agreement in advance. Furthermore, if you have money or property, make a will. 

Another solution would be: Remain single and don't move in with anyone.:-)

Not only Zedakah but Family

B"H

There are countless of religious Jews who follow the Mitzvah of giving Zedakah (charity). They donate and donate or arrange new connections between the needy and potential donors. Showing their kindness (Chesed) by helping other people.

OTHER people but how about your own family ?

Don't you have a brother or sister you haven't spoken to in years ? Do you speak to your parents on a regular basis or do you have been hating each other since you moved out ?

Many people love doing kindness in connection with strangers but when it comes to their own relatives, all the thoughts of struggling, quarrel and suffering are coming up. "I don't speak to him because he has done such and such !"

Maybe it would be better taking care of your own family matters instead of only helping out strangers !

Why I am saying this ?

Because I am exactly in that kind of position at the moment. A long forgotten family branch suddenly reappeared in my life. Tonight I spoke to an uncle I haven't spoken to since I was a child more than thirty years ago. What he said was: "Isn't it sad that family matters such the death of a relative is bringing you together again after such a long time !"

Em Habanim

B"H

EM HABANIM is a single - parent family organization in Jerusalem. Despite the news that more and more haredi singles are looking for Shidduchim (match), no one should overlook that the divorce rate among Israeli haredi families is on the rise. EM HABINIM offers support to divorced religious women.