Name: Fatima Isabella Leon Linares

Desired Hebrew name: Elisheba

1. Process that led you want to become Jewish

In 2019, I took a theology course with an Italian professor that guided the class through
the following religions: Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The class
was overwhelmingly Catholic except for one girl who was Jewish. As sessions went by, I
studied the practices of each religion without truly connecting with the content of the
class, until I start reading about Judaism. Something about the history and traditions made
me feel more interested about Judaism. Also, Thal, the Jewish girl in class, proudly talked
about her community and added interesting comments to the classes about Judaism.

I never felt truly connected to Catholicism even though I was educated in a nun-run
Catholic high school. I did not do the sacrament of confirmation when I was fifteen years
old. I did not feel like Catholicism was right for me. I did not want to be part of a religion
that had killed many people for “not believing” and had stolen the wealth of other
cultures in the name of Jesus.

After having doubts about my Catholicism and taking that lifechanging class, I met my
boyfriend Ryan who is Jewish. When I met him, we became friends and we did not have
intentions to take our friendship to a formal relationship. Life lead to us falling in love. At
the beginning of our relationship, he expressed how important Judaism is in his life so he
wanted me to respect some practices such as, having dinner with him and his family on
Shabbat, not asking him to drive somewhere on Shabbat, and keeping kosher at home
with him, among and other things. When I noticed how important it was for him, I shared
with him my affinity to Judaism and I expressed interest in converting. He was happy and
surprised about my enthusiasm and talked to me about contacting Beth Tikvah. I told him
that I wanted to start my conversion classes as soon as possible.

I started my classes online with Rabbi Berman. My favorite classes were the ones about
the history of Israel and I have to admit that the Hebrew lessons were my least favorite
classes. By the end of the classes, Rabbi Berman hosted a BBQ party, which I attended,
and I met some of the other students in person. This was a great opportunity to share my
experience with fellow students.

A person that impacted and guided me through the conversion path was Rabbi Grover. His
welcoming energy every time he met with me and Ryan at the synagogue made me feel
integrated with the community. His wisdom and empathy at our meetings motivated me
to keep up with the process, even though I received some judgment from my family and
felt insecure for getting lost at the services.

2. Which Jewish values and beliefs do you find most appealing?

During my immersion into Judaism, I have observed the following values applied in the
lifestyles of multiple Jewish people who I met. I find these values appealing and admirable.
The values and belief that I referred to are:

Kehillah: This value emphasizes the importance of community and collective

responsibility. Kehillah encourages Jews to actively participate in and support their local
Jewish community, fostering a sense of belonging, support, and shared purpose. I was
able to see this value when I attended Uptown Chabad Young Professional events with my
boyfriend. People at these events try to network with each other and achieve professional
success collectively by doing business together.

Lifnei Iver: This concept refers to the prohibition of placing a stumbling block before the
blind. In a broader sense, it calls for ethical behavior and encourages individuals to
consider the impact of their actions on others. I have been able to see this value in my
boyfriend when he helps his clients. As a lawyer, he explains complex topics plainly
without using “legalese” when the client is not familiar with legal terms. In this way, he
makes sure that the client understands the legal process and obtains results that they
could not get without a guide.

Bittul Torah: This value emphasizes the study and pursuit of knowledge, particularly the
study of Torah, Jewish texts, and traditions. Bitful Torah encourages Jews to engage in
lifelong learning, seeking wisdom, and gaining a deeper understanding of Jewish values
and teachings. This value is very admirable for me because in a world full of instant
distractions thanks to social media, prioritizing your learning and connection with G*d is
important. I recall a story I read where a rabbi in Israel scheduled daily 5 minutes Torah
studies.

Gemilut Chesed: This value relates to acts of kindness and compassion towards others.
Gemilut Chesed encourages Jews to extend generosity, support, and empathy to both the
Jewish community and the wider world I have been able to see this value in a stellar form
when I read about the 80 Israeli medical personnel who will work in a field hospital in
Ukraine. These brave health professional are sacrificing their lives to do Tikkun Olam as
G*d asks and positively impact the lives of refugees who need medical assistance.

3. How is Judaism more appropriate for you than your former religion or lifestyle?

In Catholicism, it is believed that one is born with the original sin and you can only liberate
yourself from it by getting baptized. This fact is the beginning of a spiritual life filled with
guilt. I feel more comfortable with Judaism, which tells us that we are G*d’s creation and
we should perfect the world with him.

Since a person, according to Catholicism, is tainted from birth, the ritual of baptism is
necessary to live Catholic. After the person is old enough, the believer must participate in
the sacrament of confession in which a priest represents G*d. This feeling of guilt and
insecurity about your goodness as a person followed me when I was Catholic. My
relationship with G*d weakened because I could never be good enough as I was born in
sin and I committed sins all the time which could only be forgiven with the sacrament of
confession.

In Judaism, the Hebrew word of chata, which means missing the mark, can be the closest
in concept to sin. Although, sin and chata are not absolute synonyms, chata recognizes the
human nature of failing G*d’s mitzvot and encourages humans to improve via self-
learning, study and renewing their relationship with G*d on Yom Kippur. By learning
through mistakes and communicating with G*d, Jewish people don’t feel as if they will
never become righteous or that they are not worthy of G*d’s love. The concept of chata
strengthens the relationship between the creator and the person by reframing sin as a
catalyst for growth.

4. If someone walks into your home, how could they know that It was a Jewish home?

We keep a mezuzah on the right side of the doorway to our apartment. Also, we keep
books about Judaism in our collection. If someone stayed to eat, they would notice that
we serve kosher food and we keep separate cutlery and cookware for dairy and meat. We
also have Jewish objects in the house such as a Chanukiah, Shabbat candles, and a kiddush
cup, which are not always visible to guests but are brought out on Chanukah or Shabbat.

5. Describe your sense of identification with the Jewish people in relation to Israel,
world Jewry, the Toronto Jewish community, and your synagogue .

As a migrant, I understand the Jewish people who were known as the wanderers since the
times of Abraham. The fact that I left my home country to chase a better life and
happiness make me relate to the Jewish people who have migrated to find a safe place.
Also, Jewish people have had to excel in their work field to be recognized, which is
something similar to what a modern migrant has to do in order to be fully integrated in
society.

I have been attending Jewish holiday and Shabbat events at Beth Tikvah and Uptown
Chabad Young Professionals, such as events for Purim, Lag Baomer, and Chanukah, as well
as various torah studies discussions. At these events, I have had the opportunity to meet
young Jewish people of many different backgrounds, including fellow Spanish speakers
and Jews who have converted, which has given me a sense of identification and belonging
in the Toronto Jewish community.

Regarding my sense of identification with Israel, I feel solidarity with the Israelites because
of the terrorism they have suffered from some Palestinian extremist groups. I also
understand the importance of maintaining a country where we as Jews can live a fully
kosher lifestyle and preserve Hebrew as a spoken language.
 6. Describe how you intend to fulfil the mitzvah of tzedakah

I donate money to people on the streets every time I have the chance. Also, I try to help
with little actions to everyone surrounding me like doing small favors and inviting,
coworkers, friends, and family for homecooked meals.

When my income increases, I will try to donate 10% of my income to women and Jewish
organizations.

7. What is your commitment to prayer and religious services?

I will continuing attending the Kabbalat Shabbat more regularly. I’m going to continue
praying the Shema when I wake up and before bed. During Shabbat, I will light the candles
when I host the dinner and recite the Kiddush. Also, I will follow the Siddur to guide my
daily praying and the makhzor for the high holidays.

8. What are your plans for future Jewish study?

I plan to travel to Israel and go to all the places that are significant to Judaism such as
mount Zion, the wailing wall, and the temple mount, in order to visualize all of the
material I have read and connect at a deeper level with the history of Judaism.

I plan to keep acquiring books about the Talmud (especially ones that contain
philosophical interpretation of rabbis like Sages of the Talmud: The Lives, Sayings and
Stories of 400 Rabbinic Masters), Jewish history and Jewish morals. Also, I will keep
attending the “Torah and Tequila” sessions at Uptown Chabad. In this study group, we
discuss from a Jewish ethical lens polemic topics such as abortion, organ donation, suicide,
etc.

At Uptown Chabad’s parties for festive holidays, the Rabbi focuses on education in
addition to socializing, and always takes time to explain the importance of what we are
celebrating. I also plan to continue attending synagogue on holidays and learning about
their meaning. In particular, I will attend to the Kabbalat Shabbat, Purim and High Holidays
services at Beth Tikvah where I will keep familiarizing myself with the prayers and read the
weekly pamphlet where the parsha of the week is summarized.

9. How do you plan on handling the Jewish education of your children (or future
children)?

First, I would explain to them how important it is to preserve their Jewish identity. Also, I
would make sure that they have access to books about Judaism, include them in the
celebration of Jewish holidays and teach them by example how to apply Jewish values in
their everyday life.
When they reach the right age, I will take them to a Hebrew School and encourage them
to do their bat or bar mitzvah. Also, if I have enough money when I have kids, I will send
them to a private Jewish school.

10. List some Jewish books you have read, the Jewish newspapers you subscribe to, and
the Jewish websites you frequent.

1. Books at home:
2. Living Judaism
3. Jewish Literacy
4. The wisdom of the Talmud
5. What the Rabbis Said
6. The Talmud: A Selection
7. Rabbi Akiva: Sage of the Talmud
8. The Book of Jewish Values: A Day-by-Day Guide to Ethical Living
9. Jewish Wisdom for Business Success: Lessons from the Torah and Other Ancient
Texts
10. The Torah for Dummies
11. Living a Jewish Life, Updated and Revised Edition: Jewish Traditions, Customs, and
Values for Today's Families
12. The Jewish Study Bible
13. The Essential Talmud
14. Pebbles of Wisdom From Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz: Collected and with Notes by Arthur
Kurzweil
15. The Story of the Jews - Finding the Words 1000 BC-1492 AD
16. To Pray As A Jew: A Guide to the Prayer Book and Synagogue Service
17. An Introduction to Jewish Theology: Biblical and Rabbinic Concepts on God, the
Torah, Life After Death, and More