by Publisher Ant Katz
So, did you get the answers to the two puzzling questions about the Right of Return to Israel?
When is a non-Jew able to claim the Right of Return?
A non-Jewish man whose father or grandfather was Jewish is allowed to claim the Right of Return – but only to that third generation. This right is recognised by the Israeli Supreme Court.
Of course, this does not make the man in question a Jew. He would be recognised as a gentile with Israeli citizenship.
There are many weird and wonderful reasons proffered for this legal anomaly. But, according to the newly-appointed Shaliach at the Jewish Agency at Beyachad, Shimon Shamila, the reason for this is that under Nazi persecution, a man whose grandfather was Jewish was considered “Jewish enough” to be sent to the gas chambers.
When is an Halachic Jew not able to claim the Right of Return?
If he has renounced Judaism, says Shimon, he is not entitled to the Right of Return.
This, too, has been ratified by the Israeli Supreme Court. Of course he would still be Halachically considered Jewish and will always be considered a Jew if he was born or converted a Jew. And he would always be entitled to a Jewish burial.
But he would not be entitled to the privilege of the Right of Return.
Meet the new SA Shaliach: Shimon Shamila
Shimon and his family arrived in South Africa in mid December 2009 to take up his shlichut as Director of the Israel Centre. Shimon has been on shlichut all around the globe, including America and the UK.
After finishing his military service in the Golani brigade (Shimon is now a Captain in the IDF Reserve forces), he has managed non-profit organisations including a charity NGO providing education and nourishment for needy families in the Negev and fundraising for an NGO assisting Ethiopian Olim.
Shimon spent the last four years as a director of the Partnership 2000 (P2k) Project in the eastern Negev working together with Jewish organisations in New Jersey and Delaware.
Shaliach Shimon Shamila can be contacted at Beyachad on 011 645-2560 or by e-mail at shimonsh@jafi.org
Shimon is looking for a house to rent a house, if anyone can help him. He needs 4 bedrooms. He says it must be near Yeshiva College, must be available from August and must be a nice house. He is willing to pay a fair rental for the right property.
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