Nevertheless, the dubious tradition about Algirdas' Orthodox conversion lived on.

Another was Miriam Gonczarska, the daughter of a Jewish father and one of the first four Polish youths in memory to undergo an Orthodox conversion.

The rabbinate even scrutinizes Orthodox conversions, with some who have converted by orthodox authorities outside of Israel not being permitted to marry in Israel.

Recently ultra-Orthodox parties ran an ad campaign: "One Nation, One Conversion" - meaning only Orthodox conversions should be allowed in Israel, not Reform or Conservative.

However, the villagers of Putti are still seeking an Orthodox conversion and practice strict Rabbinical Judaism.

The legislation would recognize only Orthodox conversions for those converts seeking to enter Israel as Jews.

He converted to Judaism, by undergoing an Orthodox conversion, in 1979.

Under proposed changes to the Law of Return, which defines who is a Jew for purposes of extending automatic Israeli citizenship, only Orthodox conversions performed in Israel would be recognized.

A statement from Mr. Yishai's office said he had instructed his staff to draft a parliamentary bill stating that only Orthodox conversions would be officially recognized.

Two years ago, the Supreme Court in Israel said a non-Orthodox conversion would suffice, but now the Government wants a new law saying that only an Orthodox conversion will do.