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

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

• Tiffany Harris' Linkedin
• Mem Global
• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz
• Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn

​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:

1. The biggest challenge in Orthodox conversion isn't halacha—it’s rabbinic insecurity and gatekeeping masked as authority.
2. Uniformity is crushing diversity within the Jewish community, sidelining people who don’t “fit the mold.”
3. 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

Links

• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz

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.

Key Takeaways

1. Orthodox conversion needs to be more accessible without compromising its halachic integrity—this balance is central to Project Ruth’s mission.
2. Conversion isn’t just about observance—it's about community, peoplehood, and spiritual journeying across lifetimes.
3. Transparency, empathy, and a future-focused mindset are critical in making sure Jewish lineage doesn’t fracture across generations.

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Timestamps:

• [00:00] – The vision behind making conversion feel guided and relational
• [01:46] – Introduction to Project Ruth and the unique backgrounds of its rabbis
• [05:54] – The birth of the “Jewish Questions” course
• [09:16] – Why conversion is more than just a curriculum
• [11:09] – How a shul became central to conversion success
• [13:00] – The flaws in how Orthodoxy has handled conversion historically
• [17:00] – Halachic accessibility and inclusion vs. Orthodox rigidity
• [24:30] – Where do rabbis draw the red line on practice?
• [33:59] – The challenge of future recognition in stricter Orthodox circles
• [44:00] – The historical context: American democracy and modern conversion trends

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Links & Learnings

• Rabbi Adam Gindea on LinkedIn
• Rabbi Jon Leener/Prospect Heights Shul website
• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz

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.

Key Takeaways

• Conversion to Judaism isn’t just a religious act—it’s a transformation of identity, history, and community ties.
• The Jewish world is deeply divided on who qualifies as a Jew, with Orthodox, Reform, and Conservative perspectives clashing over conversion standards.
• October 7th sparked a wave of introspection, leading some to solidify their Jewish identity—whether through conversion or a renewed sense of belonging.

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Timestamps:​

• [00:00] – Converts “join Judaism retroactively” – what this means historically and spiritually
• [01:12] – Introduction to Professor Jeannie Sook Gerson and her New Yorker article The Choosing Ones
• [03:47] – Why Jeannie expected backlash—but was shocked by the overwhelmingly positive response
• [09:32] – The hidden struggles of Orthodox converts & why some rabbis resist discussing certain conversions
• [14:51] – Project Ruth’s role in conversion & the debate over different Orthodox standards
• [21:27] – How October 7th sparked conversions—people realizing their connection to the Jewish people
• [28:48] – Navigating dual identities: Jeannie’s experience as a Korean American Jew
• [34:45] – The “Christmas dilemma” for Jewish converts—how to handle interfaith family traditions
• [41:57] – The controversy over LGBTQ+ conversions in Orthodox Judaism & pushback Rabbi Mintz received
• [46:39] – Final thoughts: Why the conversation on conversion matters for the Jewish future

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Links

• Jeannie Suk Gersen on X
• Converting to Judaism in the Wake of October 7th The New Yorker
• Top 10 Jewish Highlights from 100 Years of The New Yorker

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