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.
Key Takeaways:
- The biggest challenge in Orthodox conversion isn't halacha—it’s rabbinic insecurity and gatekeeping masked as authority.
- Uniformity is crushing diversity within the Jewish community, sidelining people who don’t “fit the mold.”
- The community needs empowered local rabbis and a system that serves people, not hierarchy.
Timestamps:
- [00:00] Opening Challenge – Leead questions why rabbis avoid risk when it comes to conversion
- [01:32] Introductions – Meet Rabbis Isaac Schulman and Leead Staller and how they came to work on conversion
- [04:17] Core Dilemma – Should Zionism or the IDF be a red line in Orthodox conversion?
- [07:39] Historical Perspective – How conversion has shifted over 2000 years
- [12:41] Family Dynamics – When conversion becomes a band-aid for interfaith or strained families
- [18:26] The Authority Crisis – Local rabbis vs. national halachic gatekeepers
- [24:37] How Conversion Actually Works – Why three rabbis are enough to make a Jew (and why no one acts like it)
- [29:56] Conformity in Orthodox Culture – From red pants to red flags
- [36:17] Class, Power, and Fear – The deeper reasons rabbis and communities avoid change
- [44:25] Final Charge – Why speaking up as a community member still makes a difference
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