A Terminally Ill Patient's Last Wish: To Convert and Marry in a Jewish Ceremony

An especially moving wedding took place yesterday (Wednesday) between Yuri (49) and Lada (45) Babkin. Although the couple has been married for 25 years and has five children, they only now got the opportunity to marry in a full Jewish ceremony. According to Jewish law, the Babkin couple was considered non-Jewish, so they began the conversion process a few months ago.. 

Regrettably, due to a severe and likely terminal illness recently discovered in Yuri, the couple had to approach the rabbinical courts to consider Yuri's medical condition (a trained physician, he worked for many years at Shaare Zedek Medical Center) and allow the process to be expedited and completed. The rabbinical courts responded to the request and contributed their assistance to the couple.. 

Lada and Yuri underwent an expedited conversion process that included a brit milah (circumcision) for Yuri and both of them immersing in a mikveh, according to Jewish law. The couple then became full-fledged Jews and received their new names—Uri and Leah. After the immersion, and with the help of a special ambulance, the excited couple arrived at their wedding ceremony, held in the presence of friends in a particularly moving event at a Jerusalem restaurant..

"We cannot stop crying and being moved," said their daughter Mary, expressing gratitude to all who made the conversion possible. "There are no words to describe the wave of sadness followed by an immense wave of joy. Despite the health situation, the celebrations do not stop for a moment. It gives us a lot of strength and joy in these difficult days."