Sep 5, 2025
Join Ari and Anna as they wrap up Season 2 of Interfaithing with the second part of Ella Goldberg's captivating journey of self-discovery and faith exploration in "Becoming Whole in the Holy Land"!
Topics addressed include:
- Ella's transformative Birthright trip to Israel, where she felt her identity come together in harmony;
- The emotional rollercoaster of converting to Judaism in Israel;
- Navigating the complexities of interfaith identity and family dynamics;
- The power of interfaith families in promoting dialogue between faiths;
And MUCH MORE!!
~ Hear Ella's powerful words: "When I was in Israel... that was the first time that I just felt everything come together beautifully and in harmony."
~ Consider Ari's passionate declaration: "Interfaith families are not just key to it, but I think that they are central figures in making a beautiful faith life happen for the world."
~ Plus, don't miss Anna's inspiring message: "Don't be afraid to know yourself and then to share yourself. Like don't hide yourself."
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about interfaith relationships, Jewish identity, or the power of personal spiritual journeys. Tune in and prepare to be inspired!
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Check out the Trailer of Season 2 for a description of the season's theme: Interfaith Dialogue is What We Call Dinner!!
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Glossary of Hebrew words listed chronologically from today's episode:
- Mefaked (מפקד) - A commander of a unit in the Israeli military.
- Keshet (קשת) - Literally, "rainbow." Also used metaphorically to refer to the diversity of ethnicities, races, and religious backgrounds of Israelis.
- Rabbanut (רבנות) - Chief rabbinate of Israel responsible for official policy of the Israeli government related to Jewish identity, weddings, conversions, and burial.
- Halakhic (adj) or Halakhah (n) (הלכה) - Often translated as "according to Jewish law," this term refers to a system of how Jewish identity, practice, and beliefs are deemed legitimate according to accepted rabbinic authorities.
- Giyur (גיור) - The process of converting to Judaism.
- Hashlamah (השלמה) - Literally, "fulfillment." This term is used to describe the process of finishing a term of study, especially primary school.
- Shul - A Yiddish term meaning "synagogue."
- Mefakdot (מפקדות) - The plural form of "mefaked" (see #1).
- Meah She-arim (מאה שערים) - Literally, "100 gates." This term refers to a particulalry ultra-orthodox neighborhood in Jerusalem and is often used as a shorthand to describe an ultra-orthodox lifestyle and approach to Jewish practice & belief.
- Sechel (שכל) - Literally, "mind" or "logic." This term is used by Ella to describe how the person convincing her to make aliyah appealed to her sense of logic.
- Mikveh (מקווה) - A bathouse or natural body of water used to immerse individuals or objects for Jewish ritual purposes, including conversion & purification.
- Misgeret (מסגרת) - Literally, "framework."
- Beit Din (בית דין) - A Jewish tribunal - often consisting of 3 rabbis - who preside over important Jewish ritual & legal matters, including conversion.
- Kippah Srugah (כיפה סרוגה) - Literally, "a Jewish head covering (i.e. Yarmulke) that is knitted." This term is used to refer to a subset of Jewish Israelis who typically wear a knitted kippah and identify as religious, modern, and Zionist.
- Teek (תיק) - A general term that can refer to a "bag, binder, or file." Ella uses it in reference to the material collected by the Beit Din regarding her candidacy for conversion.
- Shema (שמע) - A well known prayer declaring the God of Israel as the One God. It is the closest statement in Judaism to a formal creed and is thus recited as a statement of loyalty to the Jewish people during the ritual of conversion.
- Neshamah (נשמה) - A person's soul.
- Neshamot (נשמות) - The plural form of "neshamot" (see #17).
- Safek (ספק) - Literally, "doubt." The term was used by Ella to explain how the rabbi who presided over her conversion had "no doubt" that her soul was at Mt. Sinai with all other Jewish souls.