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Leadership by Converts

Question

Can a convert to Judaism be an official in a Jewish organization?

Answer

The Talmud (Yevamos 45b, Kiddushin 76b), commenting on Deut. 17:15, says that any position of authority can be held only by a person of Jewish descent. But a learned convert can hold a Rabbinical position; indeed, some of the heads of the Sanhedrin were proselytes.