Jewish Conversion Matters in Côte d'Ivoire.

This article examines the 2017 Jewish conversions in Côte d'Ivoire, and explores some of the Ivorian Jewish-related efforts in their historical context. The article addresses cultural, gender, and various political aspects of the issue arena. It also considers the changing relationship between Israel and the Israeli embassy with these communities. Finally, this work contemplates issues related to North-South Jewish relations and, more generally, the discourse concerning conversion as an option for people who are involved in this phenomenon. The context of the 2017 Ivorian conversions is an excellent example of numerous and crosscutting pressures as well as aspirations that are operative today in relation to the Jewish phenomenon in sub-Saharan Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]