The final step: The Wedding

We wrote about the Bissato family, Yehoshua, 45, Chana, 36, and their daughter Leah, 10, when they arrived in Israel from Caxias do Sul, Brazil. The former pastors’ unusual path actually led them away from the teachings they grew up on and onto a path towards Judaism. They were looking for a conversion process for eight years and are excited to complete their journey to Judaism.

 

Once formal conversion to Judaism takes place, after many months, or even years of learning, the new converts dunk in a mikva (ritual bath) after which men undergo circumcision and a married couple will marry again, according to the Torah. 

 

This particular ceremony was quite the celebration! Hosted by the bride and groom’s respective adoptive families in the town of Alon Shvut south of Jerusalem, the wedding had around 200 guests, including Chaya Castillo, Shavei Israel’s Coordinator for all of the Conversion Programs, who has accompanied the couple and their little girl through the entire process. 

 

The wedding was a joyous and memorable event both for the Bissato family, and, indeed, all of the guests. MAZAL TOV! 

 

“We are very grateful to Shavei Israel who has been in touch with us, and helping us, throughout our entire process, and continue to help until today. We are also amazed at the chesed (kindness) of the people of Israel. We can’t believe that our young daughter is already speaking Hebrew! We are looking forward to continuing our future in our land, Israel.”  ~Yehoshua, Hanna, and Leah

 

To help the Bissato family and others like them who are working hard to complete their conversion, feel free to donate any amount. Thank you!