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