London Beth Din facts for kids

The London Beth Din (LBD) is an important Jewish court for Ashkenazi Jews in London, England. It is part of the United Synagogue, which is the biggest group of Ashkenazi synagogues in London.

The LBD is like the main religious authority for Ashkenazi Jews in many Commonwealth countries. Other Jewish courts in Europe also ask the LBD for advice. The current head of the London Beth Din is Dayan Menachem Gelley. He joined the court in 1993 and became its leader in 2014.

What the London Beth Din Does

The London Beth Din has been a central religious authority in Britain since the early 1700s. Many famous Rabbis have led it over the years.

One of its main jobs is to run the largest kosher food organization in Europe, called KLBD. This organization makes sure that food follows Jewish dietary laws, known as Kashrut. Rabbi Jeremy Conway is in charge of KLBD.

The Beth Din also helps with other important matters. For example, they do research on family histories, help with religious divorces, and settle disagreements between people in a fair way.

Helping People Become Jewish

The LBD has a special program for people who want to become Jewish. This program usually takes about 2 to 3 years, but sometimes it can take longer. Each year, about 35 people from all over the United Kingdom complete this process through the LBD. Other Jewish courts, like the one in Manchester, send their candidates to the LBD for final approval.

The process involves learning from special teachers. Candidates are also expected to live with an approved Jewish family for about six months. They need to pay for this part of the program. It's also important for them to live close enough to an Orthodox Jewish community so they can walk to services and activities.

The Beth Din believes that people who want to become Jewish must promise to follow all the Jewish commandments. Sometimes, the conversion process might stop if a person cannot fully commit to this. In London, there is also another way to become Jewish through the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community.