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.

Key Takeaways

• Conversion isn’t a one-time act—it’s a journey of belonging, identity, and sometimes painful politics.
• Yom Kippur shifts from guilt to joy when seen as an invitation to repair, not punishment.
• Jewish community is found at the crossroads of tradition, spirituality, and personal truth.

Timestamps:

[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

Links

• Danielle Tomson
• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz
• Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn

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

• A decades-long interfaith marriage can deepen rather than dilute religious identity when both partners explore their traditions fully.
• Conversion often happens in the heart before it’s made official—and can be triggered by unexpected world events.
• Ritual, community, and family support are just as critical to spiritual transformation as personal belief.

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

Links

• Eleanor Harrison Bregman’s LinkedIn
• Eleanor Harrison Bregman’s Bio
• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz
• Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn

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.

Key Takeaways

1. The spiritual journey into Judaism isn’t just personal—it’s deeply communal, and that community can sometimes surprise you with its warmth and rigor.
2. Coming from a an immigrant and Persian background, Sina’s path into Judaism reveals surprising overlaps between cultures.
3. Raising a Jewish child post-conversion reframes tradition as both a gift and a responsibility—a sacred roadmap for navigating kindness, identity, and resilience.

Timestamps

• [00:00] The Garden, the Fruit, and the Jewish Journey
• [03:16] Feeling Displaced—and Finding a Spark in Judaism
• [06:49] Why the Jewish Journey Resonated So Deeply
• [10:05] Growing up in an immigrant and Persian home
• [15:00] What It’s Like Entering an Ultra-Orthodox Community
• [19:54] Flipping the Switch: Being Fully Accepted After Conversion
• [27:00] The Real Moment Sina Felt He Was Jewish
• [29:36] How Fatherhood Reshaped His Faith Practice
• [36:30] The Struggle to Daven with Meaning
• [44:31] Looking Forward: Judaism’s Model for Dealing with Loss

Links

• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz
• Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn