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I Went from Muslim to Jewish For Love
Torang Sepah gave up her past to provide her family with a future.
by Torang Sepah As Told To Marisa Belger
It was during my second month of medical school—as I was cutting anatomy class—that I met Ron. We bonded over our mutual dislike of the subject, and I felt like we had an instant connection.
In the course of that first conversation we also wound up discussing our backgrounds: Ron, I learned, was Israeli-Jewish; I was Iranian-Muslim.
The relationship grew serious quickly. Ron proposed a year and a half in, and we planned a Jewish-Persian wedding, where we drank wine, did readings in Hebrew, and let my relatives grind sugar over us to add sweetness to the marriage, according to Iranian/Persian tradition.
Then, six months after we married, we began discussing the idea of conversion. Ron and I had both been raised in secular homes, and he felt connected to Judaism on a cultural, rather than religious, level.
I, on the other hand, have never really felt tied to Islam. I believe in gay marriage—and I believe that a woman can do anything a man can do. I don’t think there’s a lot of room in Islam for liberal, or even moderate, viewpoints.
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1 Sam // Jan 8, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I find your reasons for conversion interesting, as my Judaism studies have shown me even more inequality between the sexes than Islam.
2 Benny // Nov 29, 2007 at 10:45 am
I happen to agree very much to Roni that you lived a true charming story, I also feel that you there is always that very beautiful part of your Neshamah which is very deep in you & in the entire past it always tried to come out of you in the open until the great day has actually come, regarding the reform issue which Roni has mentioned in his comment I understand where he is comming from but I also see from where u r comming , I truly believe that this is something which should be discussed more in detail & personal, If you would like to discuss it with me [I do have quiet a bit of past experience in this particular area which I would not like to reveal over here] you can feel free to email me & maybe I will be the one who will have the merit to enhance such a beautiful Neshamah:)
3 Roni (f) // Nov 18, 2007 at 9:20 am
Charming story.
You probably heard this… But just in case, you should know that only reform Jews would accept your children as Jewish. This may not matter to you, but who knows what your children will want with their lives. I recommend converting via orthodoxy just to cover your bases. The orthodox rabbis won’t make it easy for you, but hey. Being Jewish isn’t easy. In any case, you’ll be surprised how progressive orthodox Judaism really is when you give it a chance and keep an open mind yourself.