How to (not) make aliyah

A curious facet of Israeli government...

To "make aliyah" means to be accepted as an Israeli immigrant -- i.e., to become a citizen of Israel.

In order to make aliyah, you must be ethnically Jewish. (This is currently measured by requiring at least 1 grandparent to be certified Jewish.) Beyond that...

If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of ultra-orthodox Jewish faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of orthodox Jewish faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of conservative Jewish faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of Kabbalistic faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are agnostic, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of atheistic faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of Buddhist faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of Hindu faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of New Age faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you are of Islamic faith, then you can make aliyah.
If you are of Jewish descent, and you believe that a Ukrainian rabbi named Schneerson who emigrated to the USA and who died in 1994 is the Messiah, then you can make aliyah.
But if you are of Jewish descent, and you believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (i.e., you are of Christian faith), then you are prohibited from making aliyah.

 

Wow.