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.
Key Takeaways
- I discovered that even with generations of Jewish women in my family, without halachic paperwork, I could be locked out of communal Jewish life abroad.
- Going through Project Ruth not only gave me recognition—it gave me access, peace, and a feeling of true belonging I hadn’t known I was missing.
- October 7th intensified my sense of Jewish identity, showing me that connection isn't just about law—it's also deeply spiritual, emotional, and communal.
Timestamps
- [00:00] — Mikvah Experience: Tiffany describes her emotional first mikvah and how it shifted her perspective on the city around her.
- [01:20] — Introduction to Project Ruth: Rabbi Adam Mince introduces Project Ruth and welcomes Tiffany Harris and Meredith Berkman.
- [04:03] — Jewish But Not “Papered”: Tiffany outlines her Jewish lineage and why she still pursued conversion.
- [06:45] — Birthright and Feeling at Home in Israel: She reflects on her first trip to Israel and the impact of seeing diverse Jewish identities.
- [08:57] — Career Meets Faith: How Tiffany’s work in Jewish community spaces deepened her Jewish practice and exposure to Orthodox life.
- [10:58] — Zurich Community Shock: She shares the moment she was denied community access for lacking Jewish “proof.”
- [16:00] — Intersection of Identity and Exclusion: How being a Jew of color layered the emotional impact of being gatekept.
- [17:00] — October 7th and Jewish Pain: Tiffany explains how October 7th profoundly affected her spiritually and personally.
- [28:59] — Conversion Process & Project Ruth Praise: Tiffany details her experience with Project Ruth and the support she received.
- [32:59] — New Belonging & Emotional Closure: The episode concludes with reflections on identity, paperwork, and choosing deeper connection.
Links & Learnings
