What happens when your conversion is accepted in one community but rejected in another?
This episode dives into the remarkable journey of Danielle Tomson, a scholar of political communication and Jewish convert, who shares how her path to Judaism reshaped her life, identity, and spirituality. From her early encounters with Jewish friends in Pittsburgh to deep involvement at Yale and New York’s Orthodox communities, Danielle reflects on how she found her place within Jewish tradition—even navigating the complexities of undergoing two conversions.
She also explores the meaning of Yom Kippur, describing how the High Holidays evolved from feelings of guilt to a season of joy, healing, and spiritual repair. With insights ranging from sea glass metaphors to the politics of conversion recognition worldwide, Danielle offers a refreshing and deeply personal perspective that resonates with seekers, lifelong Jews, and anyone exploring faith, identity, and belonging.
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[00:00] First Yom Kippur as a new Jew – Danielle’s emotional experience in Central Park
[02:10] Danielle introduces herself: background, studies, and first conversion story
[04:00] High school in Squirrel Hill and first Jewish friendships
[06:00] Discovering Orthodoxy, Yale experiences, and struggle to find a conversion path
[10:25] Family ancestry, Jewish connections, and stories of possible Jewish lineage
[13:09] Why Danielle converted twice and the politics of recognition
[19:40] Deep dive into halacha, learning shochet skills, and continued Jewish study
[28:01] Rethinking Yom Kippur: from guilt to joy through teshuva
[37:34] Fasting for the first time – challenges and how she prepared
[43:00] Experiences with ultra-Orthodox communities and finding beauty in diversity
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This is the story of how a Christian minister became Jewish—and why it felt like coming home.
In this deeply personal and moving episode, listeners are invited into the extraordinary journey of Eleanor Harrison Bregman—a Christian minister from Savannah, Georgia—whose decades-long interfaith marriage, commitment to raising Jewish children, and deep engagement with Jewish community life ultimately led her to Orthodox conversion. This is not just a story of religion, but of love, identity, and the courage to step fully into a place where the heart has long lived.
Eleanor shares how her path wound from seminary classrooms to synagogue leadership, from Christmas traditions to Shabbat tables, and how world events—including the shock of October 7th—crystallized a truth she had been living for years. Listeners will hear about the emotional complexity of interfaith family life, the quiet accumulation of spiritual shifts, and the profound sense of belonging that comes when one’s inner reality finally meets public affirmation.
Key Takeaways
Timestamps
[00:00] Follow your own heart in interfaith relationships
[01:58] Eleanor’s upbringing in Savannah and path to New York
[04:04] Deciding to raise Jewish children while in ministry
[07:00] Family reactions to Orthodox conversion of children
[10:34] Navigating faith and identity after children are born
[19:00] Starting “Strangers No More” for interfaith couples
[27:45] Moving from B’nai Jeshurun community life
[34:17] Windham’s role during COVID in deepening Jewish connection
[39:00] October 7th and realizing “I was Jewish from the inside out”
[44:10] Mikvah, wedding celebration, and feeling true belonging
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What happens when you fall in love and find your community.
What does it mean to convert to Judaism—not just ritually, but spiritually, emotionally, communally? In this episode, we explore the raw and revelatory journey of Sina, an Iranian-born, thinker who found family in an ultra orthodox community. From early feelings of displacement to the powerful sense of being welcomed, Sina’s story isn’t just about religion—it’s about identity, belonging, legacy, and parenting in a deeply Jewish context.
Joined by Jewish activist Meredith Berkman and hosted by Rabbi Adam Minz, this conversation dives into the unseen nuances of conversion: the invisible switch of full acceptance, the trials of davening with authenticity, and the urgency of raising a Jewish child in a world fraught with division. Sina’s thoughtful insights are woven with modern reflections and ancient wisdom—making this episode a must-listen for anyone seeking deeper understanding of faith, family, and the Jewish future.
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She was born Jewish—but not “Jewish enough” to get on the synagogue email list.
What happens when a committed Jewish leader—steeped in Jewish life, identity, and service—is told she's not halachically Jewish enough to even join her synagogue’s email list? In this deeply personal and powerful episode, the conversation explores the tensions between identity, legality, and belonging in Jewish communities around the world.
Tiffany Harris, Chief Program Officer of MEM Global and a former Biden White House Jewish Leaders Council member, shares her unexpected journey into Orthodox conversion despite being born to a Jewish mother and grandmother. After moving to Zurich, she was stunned to find her Jewishness questioned—sparking a soul-searching process that led her to Project Ruth. Through this episode, listeners will discover why conversion isn’t just for the “non-Jewish” and how the community’s gatekeeping can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs—or painful identity reckonings.
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What happens when being ‘Jewish enough’ depends on who’s asking?
Orthodox conversion is no longer just about halacha—it’s become a battlefield of power, conformity, and hidden gatekeeping. This episode explores the deep fractures within modern Orthodox institutions that quietly decide who gets to be part of the Jewish people, and who doesn’t.
Featuring insights from Rabbi Isaac Schulman and Rabbi Leead Staller of Project Ruth—an organization championing inclusive, halachically sound Orthodox conversions—we examine what happens when the community is ready for change, but its leaders aren’t. This episode isn’t just about conversion; it’s about reclaiming agency, redefining spiritual authority, and building a Judaism that welcomes rather than withholds.
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Orthodox conversion rules are less about faith—and more about politics.
In an age where Jewish identity is more fluid and fragmented than ever, this episode dives deep into the soul of Orthodox conversion—and why it's at a pivotal turning point. Listeners will hear how Project Ruth is building not just programs, but pathways—redefining what it means to truly belong in the Jewish peoplehood while staying deeply rooted in halachic integrity. The discussion spans global Jewish communities, questions of legitimacy, and how to prepare for a Jewish future that honors both heritage and inclusion.
Rabbi Jon Leener and Rabbi Adam Gindea—leaders in educational innovation and spiritual guidance—share personal stories and bold visions on how Orthodox conversion can be compassionate, robust, and future-proof. Whether you’re questioning Jewish identity, curious about conversion, or thinking about community from a generational lens, this episode opens the door wider while keeping the mezuzah firmly on.
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On October 7th, the world changed—and for some, so did their decision to embrace Judaism.
Conversion to Judaism is a deeply personal journey, but it’s also a subject of intense debate within Jewish communities. In this episode, legal scholar and New Yorker writer Professor Jeannie Sook Gerson shares her own conversion experience, detailing the complexities of Jewish identity, religious law, and the surprising ways October 7th influenced her decision.
This discussion explores the challenges faced by converts—navigating family expectations, denominational differences, and the unspoken tensions around Orthodox vs. Reform conversion standards. With insights from Rabbi Adam Mintz, founder of Project Ruth, this episode unveils the lesser-known realities of Jewish conversion, including the hidden debates over Zionism, LGBTQ+ converts, and what it truly means to become part of the Jewish people.
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