A Path Forward || Faith in Flux

Judaism Unbound began as a podcast in 2016, led by Dan Libenson and Lex Rofeberg. The show explores contemporary Jewish topics and how Judaism is evolving in response to them. When Rabbi Solomon heard me talking about my struggles with the synagogues I’d visited and my enthusiasm for Judaism Disrupted by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, he suggested that Judaism Unbound might be a great resource for me.

I started listening to the podcast on my drive home and immediately fell in love with their approach. While Reconstructionism views Judaism as an evolving civilization, Judaism Unbound takes it a step further by actively participating in and shaping that evolution in the 21st century. They discuss bold ideas like challenging the traditional sense of place—asking whether Jewish identity is truly confined to synagogue walls. They also innovate Jewish learning through online classes offered by their UnYeshiva program. Most compelling to me, they offered conversions—or affirmations, as they call them—online.

The prospect of an online conversion intrigued me, but I was hesitant after my disappointing experience with the Humanistic denomination. I researched Judaism Unbound thoroughly, exploring their other offerings and listening to more podcast episodes. My confidence grew as I saw the breadth of their work. What ultimately convinced me to take the plunge was the timing: their next conversion cohort was set to begin the following week. It felt like a sign. After a couple of days of consideration, I hastily drafted an email to inquire about the program. By the end of the day, I received a response from Rabbi Melissa, Judaism Unbound’s director.

We spoke for about an hour, and it was one of the most affirming conversations of my journey so far, rivaling my first visit to Kehillah. Questions I had been too afraid to ask, opinions I feared might lead to rejection, were met with grace and understanding. Rabbi Melissa assured me that the class would not only address my questions but also help me craft an affirmation ceremony and rituals that respected tradition while being deeply personal and meaningful. I loved everything I heard and enrolled the same day the class began.

The class is small, with no more than 10 people, each coming from backgrounds similar to mine. Like me, they had encountered roadblocks on their paths to Judaism and sought an alternative route. Now, as I reach the end of this part of the process, it feels less like an ending and more like a beginning.

Reflecting on the Journey

My exploration of Judaism has been unconventional at best. It’s natural for someone to spend time ensuring that such a life-changing decision is the right fit. My journey has spanned nearly four years, marked by moments of discouragement but, more importantly, by profound fulfillment and growth. As I reflect on this hard work, I feel the weight and significance of what’s ahead.

To me, the affirmation at the end of this chapter represents much more than a formal recognition of my Jewish identity. It signifies that I’ve found a community that shares my values without requiring me to compromise who I am. No longer am I an amorphous blob trying to fit into the jagged confines of ill-fitting puzzle pieces. Now, I am my full self, embraced by a greater presence—the Divine—and a broader community that includes both people like me and those vastly different from me. And there is room for all of us.

Looking Ahead

The next part of this series will explore how I engage with Judaism’s tenets and values in my everyday life and how I plan to continue doing so. I firmly believe that Judaism can be molded, adapted, and evolved to meet the needs of its practitioners. When done with wisdom, reverence, and respect for tradition, these changes enrich rather than diminish the faith. This belief will guide me as I continue to grow within Judaism and live out its values in ways that are meaningful and authentic to me.