Israeli rabbis create independent Jewish conversion court

A group of Israeli rabbis has created an independent Jewish conversion court, defying the country's Orthodox establishment's monopoly on religious affairs. While the conversions will not be officially recognized, the move signals growing impatience in some sectors with the Orthodox rabbinate's tight grip on aspects of daily life and a political leadership that has not liberalized access to conversion and other religious services. The court, established by a dozen liberal rabbis, began offering conversions on Monday, with six children starting the process.