Episodios

  • Fourteen and Searching: My Path to Judaism | Aliza Bulow
    Oct 29 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.

    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores Jewish conversion stories and the spiritual transformation journeys that follow.

    At just 10 years old, Aliza Bulow knew Christianity wasn't her path. What followed was an extraordinary journey through atheism, Buddhist chanting, psychic healing workshops, and dozens of library books, all before she turned 14. When she finally discovered Judaism through a single book, "To Be a Jew" by Hayim Halevy Donin, she knew immediately that she was home. There was just one problem: she was 14, and nobody believed this was more than a teenage phase. In this deeply moving episode of Zero Percent, Aliza shares her remarkable conversion story and how it shaped her life's mission to empower Jewish educators worldwide.

    🎯IN THIS EPISODE:
    Why Aliza began her spiritual search at age 10 Exploring atheism, Buddhism, and New Age spirituality as a young teenager The moment she read "To Be a Jew" and knew she was Jewish, without knowing any Jews Attending psychic healing workshops and chakra sessions at 14 How her parents' divorce and grief shaped her independence Convincing a rabbi to let her convert at 16.
    The Holocaust survivor who asked her the question that changed everything. From first-generation Jew to leading Jewish educator: The concept of "squeeze and receive" in Jewish transformation

    👤 ABOUT ALIZA BULOW: Aliza Bulow is a noted author, lecturer, educator, and Managing Director/CEO of CORE, an organization dedicated to teaching pastoral counseling, community support, and empowering Jewish educators. Her journey from a searching 10-year-old in Portland, Oregon, to a leading voice in Jewish education is a testament to the power of conviction, resilience, and purpose.

    🔗 CONNECT WITH ALIZA BULOW: AlizaBulow@gmail.com
    She has hours of recorded classes available at www.abiteoftorah.org.
    Want to know more about the organization (CORE), check here: www.coretorah.org

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    RELATED TOPICS:
    How to convert to Judaism | Jewish conversion process | Orthodox conversion to Judaism | Conservative conversion | Mikvah experience | Moving to Israel | Aliyah stories | Jewish educators | Jews by choice community | Conversion stories | Spiritual journey to Judaism | Finding Jewish identity | Jewish philosophy | Jewish continuity
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    1 h y 8 m
  • Christian to Jewish Conversion Story | From Bible Belt Pastor's Words to Orthodox Judaism: Mr Gus
    Sep 24 2025
    ✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcast ✨

    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast exploring Jewish conversion stories and spiritual transformation journeys! Discover Gus's incredible Christian to Jewish conversion story - from evangelical fundamentalist Christianity in Oklahoma's Bible Belt to Orthodox Judaism in Miami Beach. This religious conversion documentary reveals how one pastor's unexpected confession about Jews being God's chosen people sparked a life-changing spiritual awakening and faith transformation.

    Listen to this Jewish conversion testimony as Gus shares his journey from Christianity to Judaism, including years of biblical study, learning Hebrew language, analyzing messianic prophecies, and challenging Christian pastors who couldn't defend their theology. His interfaith dialogue experiences and religious questioning led to profound spiritual growth and religious identity. This conversion to Judaism story explores the cost of religious transformation, including divorce, family separation, and relocating from Oklahoma to Miami to join an Orthodox Jewish community.

    Gus's journey from Christian faith to Jewish faith demonstrates intellectual honesty in religious seeking and spiritual authenticity in faith exploration. From an evangelical Christian background to Orthodox Judaism practice, from biblical Hebrew study to Jewish law learning, from Christian theology debates to the rabbinical conversion process, this is an inspiring story of religious conversion, spiritual seeking, and finding an authentic faith community.

    Perfect for Listeners interested in: Jewish conversion process, Christianity to Judaism stories, interfaith dialogue, religious transformation testimonies, spiritual awakening experiences, biblical study methods, Hebrew language learning, Orthodox Judaism lifestyle, faith crisis resolution, and authentic spiritual seeking journeys.

    Catch Zero Percent on all your go-to platforms!

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact.
    Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

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    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    1 h y 9 m
  • Why I Never Connected with Christianity, My Journey to Orthodox Judaism: Mrs Rachel Rose
    Aug 27 2025
    ✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨

    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people and stories of Jewish conversion!

    Join us as Rachel Rose shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a non-religious family that explored different faiths to discovering Orthodox Judaism and realizing that her soul had always been Jewish. Growing up in a heavily Christian community in Colorado, Rachel tried to connect with Christianity through Bible study classes. Still, the Old Testament (Torah) resonated with her while the New Testament never quite made sense. What happens when someone spends years trying to understand Jesus as the Messiah but keeps thinking, "he didn't bring world peace - look around"?

    From her first transformative Shabbat dinner in San Francisco that sent "a jolt through her body" to navigating not one, but two Orthodox conversion processes, Rachel's spiritual journey is filled with courage, faith struggles, setbacks, and ultimately profound religious fulfillment. Hear how she found her husband Michael through their shared path to Orthodox Judaism, discovered the life-changing power of Shabbat observance, learned Hebrew, kept kosher, and built the Jewish family she always dreamed of - including beautiful twins.

    This compelling conversion testimony covers her experience with Christian Bible study, discovering Torah wisdom, working with sponsoring rabbis, appearing before the Beit Din (Jewish court), going to the mikvah (ritual bath), and embracing Jewish law and traditions. Rachel also shares her transformative experience visiting Israel and feeling immediately at home in Jerusalem.

    Whether you're curious about Jewish conversion, seeking spiritual authenticity, questioning your current faith, interested in interfaith relationships, or drawn to stories of profound personal religious transformation, Rachel's candid account offers a unique window into choosing Judaism and finding your true spiritual home. Her story touches on modern Orthodox Judaism, Jewish community life, conversion challenges, family acceptance, and the deep meaning found in Jewish practice and belief.

    Catch Zero Percent on all your go-to platforms!

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact.
    Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

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    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    1 h y 11 m
  • Rabbi Berel Wein
    Aug 20 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨

    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people! 🌟

    Join us for a special episode honoring Rabbi Berel Wein, who passed away this past Shabbos, a giant of our generation and one of the most influential Jewish educators and historians of our time. In this intimate interview, recorded just months before his passing in his Jerusalem apartment, Rabbi Wein shares his extraordinary journey from Chicago lawyer to world-renowned rabbi, historian, and community builder.

    Discover how a pivotal encounter with Rabbi Isaac Halevi Herzog, Israel's Chief Rabbi, changed the course of his life with a simple but profound challenge: "What are you going to do to build the Jewish people?" Follow Rabbi Wein's remarkable path from the courtrooms of Chicago to the pulpits of Miami Beach, from heading the Orthodox Union's kashrut division to founding Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Monsey.

    As the author of over 25 books and creator of a groundbreaking audio lecture series, Rabbi Wein was truly the original Jewish podcaster, long before the term existed. His rare ability to make the depth of Jewish history accessible to everyone - from scholars to everyday people with humor, warmth, and crystal-clear explanations made him one of the most sought-after speakers in Jewish communities worldwide.

    This moving conversation offers a rare glimpse into the personal story of the man who told the story of the Jewish people, sharing family connections, pivotal life moments, and his vision for the Jewish future. Whether you're interested in Jewish history, leadership, or personal transformation, Rabbi Wein's legacy of bringing profound ideas to life will inspire and guide you.

    May his memory be a blessing, and may we honor his life by carrying forward the light, humor, and clarity he brought into the world.

    ✨ Listen to all our podcasts here: www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨

    Catch Zero Percent on all your go-to platforms!

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact.
    Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    39 m
  • I Left Christianity After 40 Years and Found My True Home - Mrs Batya
    Jul 30 2025
    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people!

    🌟 Join us as Pat shares her remarkable journey from a non-religious upbringing in small-town Colorado to discovering her Jewish soul through unexpected encounters and deep spiritual questioning. Follow her transformation from a devoted Christian raising three children in the church to finding profound meaning in Jewish tradition, sparked by meeting an Orthodox Jewish classmate in graduate school.

    Despite leaving behind a lifetime of Christian faith and facing the challenges of divorce and starting anew, Pat's story reveals profound spiritual fulfillment, authentic connection with God, and the unexpected ways life leads us to our true purpose. Her journey from Sunday services to Shabbat candles shows how sometimes our deepest questions lead us to the most meaningful answers.

    Whether you're curious about conversion, seeking spiritual authenticity, or interested in personal transformation, Pat's story offers a moving window into choosing Judaism and finding your spiritual home.

    ✨ Listen to all our podcasts here: www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨

    Catch Zero Percent on all podcast platforms, available on your go-to platform!

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact, please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • Shabbos Kestenbaum: Fighting Antisemitism
    Apr 23 2025
    🗳️ IMPORTANT: VOTE NOW for student representation at the World Zionist Congress: http://aish.com/vote/RabbiMenachemLehrfield

    Welcome to our channel, where we spotlight voices making a difference in the Jewish community. In this powerful talk, Harvard Divinity School graduate Shabbos Kestenbaum shares his journey as the sole remaining plaintiff in a landmark civil rights lawsuit against Harvard University over antisemitism on campus.

    Shabbos discusses:
    • Why he refused to settle when other plaintiffs did
    • The troubling rise of antisemitism on elite campuses
    • His advice for Jewish high school students considering college
    • The importance of Jewish education and youth empowerment🗳️
    • Support Jewish student leaders by voting in the World Zionist Congress elections (only happens once every 5 years!): http://aish.com/vote/RabbiMenachemLehrfield

    • Select Slate #10 (AISH)


    Shabbos challenges us to reconsider what institutions truly deserve our support and argues that the Jewish community should focus on building stronger Jewish identities rather than fighting for acceptance at universities that have demonstrated hostility toward Jewish students.
    This talk was recorded live at AISH CENTER in Boulder, Colorado, on April 23, 2025.

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact

    Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    42 m
  • From Chinese TV Star to Orthodox Jew – Dr. Esther’s Astonishing Journey
    Mar 26 2025
    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people!

    🌟 In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary journey of Dr. Esther, a former award-winning Chinese TV host, investigative journalist, and medical professional, who defied all odds to embrace Orthodox Judaism. Born into a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, Dr. Esther was on a fast track to media stardom, winning prestigious competitions and hosting popular television programs. Yet, a series of unexpected encounters and deep intellectual questioning led her down a path she never imagined, one that would ultimately reveal her Jewish soul.

    Through sheer determination, faith, and an unwavering quest for truth, Dr. Esther navigated the complexities of converting to Judaism, overcoming cultural barriers, skepticism, and personal struggles. From discovering her hidden Jewish ancestry to immersing herself in Torah study and halachic observance, her journey is truly inspiring. Whether you're curious about Jewish conversion, spirituality, personal transformation, or the surprising ways people find their true purpose, this episode will captivate and inspire you. Listen as Dr. Esther shares her profound insights on faith, destiny, and the unexpected ways life unfolds when you pursue truth with an open heart.

    🔹 Listen now to Zero Percent and be inspired by Dr. Esther’s incredible journey! 🎙️

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact

    Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    1 h y 4 m
  • From Military Missions to Mitzvot: A Couple’s Journey to Judaism
    Feb 26 2025
    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people! 🌟

    Join us as Tehilla and Mikhail, a young couple who married as teenagers, share their remarkable journey from Christian backgrounds to Orthodox Judaism. Their transformation began during Mikhail's military deployment to Afghanistan when Tehilla started questioning the origins of Christian holidays. Hear how they navigated religious transitions while moving between Germany, South Carolina, and Florida, gradually finding their authentic spiritual path from messianic communities to full Jewish conversion.

    Despite resistance from family members who feared they were condemning themselves by abandoning their Christian beliefs, the couple remained steadfast in their search for spiritual authenticity. Their story reveals how sometimes our understanding of faith evolves across continents and life experiences, and how a powerful moment of pure connection to God in a synagogue can change everything. This moving conversation highlights the beauty of choosing a path focused on building a direct relationship with Hashem, without intermediaries, even when it means leaving familiar traditions behind.



    📩 Reach out to The Munoz:
    ✉️ Mikhail: mikhaelakiva@gmail.com
    ✉️ Tehilla: mclove95@yahoo.com
    📺 Their YouTube Page: Life of Virtue
    📸 Tehilla's Instagram: @TehillahMunoz



    Catch Zero Percent on all podcast platforms, available on your go-to platform!

    Keep the conversation going! If you have questions or ideas about Jewish success and impact Please email us at Zeropercent@joidenver.com.🌟

    Help others discover Zero Percent! Please leave us a five-star review and share it with friends who might find this podcast enlightening.

    Follow us for more:
    Website - https://www.joidenver.com
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joidenver
    Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/JOIdenver
    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JOIdenver
    Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/jewishdiy

    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
    Más Menos
    1 h y 5 m