From Khan Yunis to Rishon LeZion: The Inspiring Story of a Muslim Boy Who Converted Thanks to One Passover Seder

Meet Shahar Yitzchak Amnon from Rishon LeZion, whose chilling story seems almost unbelievable. His story involves an escape from the Muslim society he was born into in Khan Yunis and severe interrogations after being caught. However, this did not stop him from trying again until he managed to cross the 'barrier' literally and convert to Judaism, becoming a person who upholds the Torah and commandments. 'People are always shocked when I tell my story, but it's all true', he shares in an interview with 'Ynet Rishon LeZion'. 'This is the story of my life. The journey I took as a young Muslim from Khan Yunis to a devout Jew living in Rishon LeZion'.

Amnon was born in Khan Yunis into a devout Muslim family with five siblings. He spent his childhood in the city's streets, with football as almost the only 'recreation'. 'At that time, there was no Intifada, and even the soldiers would join us in football games', he recalls from when he was four years old. 'I wasn't afraid of the soldiers. Once, one of them gave me a sweet candy, and I still remember its taste. When my father asked who gave me the candy, I told him it was one of the soldiers - he got very angry. He threatened that I should never take candy from Jews again because they put poison in them'.

Every time he heard the word 'Jews', a particular curiosity piqued within him. 'I remember one day the teacher walked into class and told us he would tell us how the Jews took our lands and those of our ancestors, emphasizing that Tel Aviv and Haifa belong to us. He also said anyone who kills Jews is a holy person, and that Jews are scary creatures with three legs.

'I didn't want to be in that lesson, so I asked to leave. But the teacher took me to the principal's office, where I was whipped with a horse whip. The next day, they called my father to the school and told him what happened, which made him very angry. He entered the classroom and slapped me in front of everyone. He shouted at me that if they told me to kill Jews, I should do it'.

The First Passover Seder He Celebrated with Jews Changed His Life Forever

This event was etched forever in his heart, but it was not the only thing that made him question the religion his parents, friends, and everyone he knew believed in. He notes that at school 'they continued to indoctrinate us against the Jews, but something didn't add up for me'.

For example, while everyone believed Jews were scary creatures with three legs, he saw that the soldiers patrolling the alleys walked on two legs. 'I was then seven years old, and it's hard for me to explain how I saw things. But I think it was a kind of more spiritual vision'. As he grew older and came to know Jews better, the situation worsened, culminating in a severe confrontation with his father, forcing him to leave home.

'I met Israeli Arabs who lived at a construction site, and I befriended them', he recalls. 'They gave me 50 shekels each night, and I stood guard for them. Later, they took me into their group, and I started working as a construction worker. My luck was that I didn't have to show anyone documents. I just lived my life'.

Everything was going well until he met M (a pseudonym) - a Jew who heard his life story and felt pity for him. 'The very next day, he brought me clothes, food, and other good things. We started getting closer, and one day he brought me elegant clothes and invited me to celebrate the Passover Seder with him'.

There he first encountered Judaism. 'When I saw the whole family around the big, beautiful table - it captivated me, and at the end of the evening I told my host that I wanted to be Jewish. I was disappointed when he told me it was impossible, and that 'a Muslim remains a Muslim, and a Jew a Jew'. I told him I wasn't willing to accept that and that I was willing to do whatever it takes to become a Jew'.

To Muslims Who Wish to Become Jews: 'I Explain to Them That They Need to Be Observant, Because Otherwise - What's the Point?'

But Amnon didn't give up his dream of becoming Jewish. He continued to 'pester' his Jewish friend until he agreed to 'match' him with a rabbi from Ramat Gan. 'The rabbi asked me why I want to be Jewish at all, and I told him I want to be part of the chosen people. He liked the answer but asked me for a letter from my family since I was a minor'.

Amnon explained that it had been several months since he had been in contact with his family, and that he was willing to wait until he turned 18 - when he wouldn't need their approval. But at 18, when he returned to the rabbi and asked to complete the process, another issue arose. 'I was told I needed a residence permit in the country, so I had to drop it'.

One day, he was injured at a construction site in his leg and needed urgent medical attention. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery, but when asked to present an identity card - the authorities discovered he was an illegal resident and, when the situation allowed, he was transported to the Erez checkpoint and from there to the Palestinian side. 'There they took me to the police, and after three hours of waiting, they put me in an interrogation room, turned me upside down, and beat me in the legs. They accused me of collaborating with the Israelis'.

He endured two whole weeks of torture in that dark cell, but when the investigators saw that he wasn't cooperating and didn't confess, they decided to release him. 'When I found myself alone in Gaza, I knew I wasn't staying there. It was harder for me to sneak back this time, but I managed to do it and returned to the family that adopted me in Rishon LeZion. I told my 'adoptive' father that I wanted to be Jewish already, and that everything I went through only strengthened my desire'.

When the 'adoptive' father saw the spark in his eyes, he realized it was genuine and began using his connections. 'After many vetting processes, the Shin Bet issued me a residence permit, and I began the conversion process, which was completed when I was 23'.

Today, Amnon assists people like himself who wish to join the Jewish people. But he has one condition. 'I explain to them that being Jewish goes beyond religion, and it requires a lot of willpower. Sometimes I also encounter Muslims who want to become Jews. They approach me, and I try to help. But I explain that it has to come from them. I can't do magic and turn them into Jews. I also insist that if they want to be Jews, they must be Torah-observant - otherwise, what's the point?'.