Converting to Judaism outside the United States
A look at the conversion mentors who make it possible
Darshan Yeshiva is proud of all the rabbis and cantors who make our conversion to Judaism program possible. But in this article, we wanted to highlight three of our conversion mentors who are popular with students outside the USA. While we have other non-USA based mentors, we wanted to present the rabbis available right now to work with students.
Rabbi Barbara Aiello (Italy)
Rabbi Barbara Aiello is a post-denominational rabbi who currently serves as the rabbi of Sinagoga Ner Tamid del Sud in southern Italy. With 23 years of congregational experience as a pulpit rabbi, she made the decision to study for the rabbinate later in life after working as a special education teacher, counselor, and a professional puppeteer and creator of the educational program, Kids on the Block. Despite being the oldest in her class, her fellow students fondly referred to her as "Rabbi Mama."
(Fun fact: the first time our director Rabbi Patrick met Rabbi Barbara, it was when he was a child and Rabbi Barbara performed at his elementary school in America!)
As the first and only female rabbi in Italy and the first and only other-than-Orthodox rabbi in Italy, Rabbi Aiello is open and sensitive to students who have been drawn to Jewish life.
Rabbi Aiello is based in Italy and works with students in English and Italian
Rabbi Dr. Andrea Lobel (Canada)
Rabbi Andrea recognizes the significance of those who decide to learn more about Judaism and take steps towards conversion. If individuals choose to work with this teaching-rabbi, they can expect to share their personal journey and vision for the future.
In addition to being a university lecturer and researcher in religion and the humanities, Rabbi Andrea has experience as a former Scholar-in-Residence at OneShul (a project of PunkTorah). She is also a professional writer, editor, and public speaker, with a passion for astronomy that often takes her stargazing on clear summer nights. Most recently, Rabbi Andrea edited the book Other Covenants: Alternate Histories of the Jewish People (of which Rabbi Patrick was a contributing writer).
Rabbi Andrea's approach to teaching is described as eclectic and trans-denominational, drawing upon ideas from across the spectrum of Jewish denominations. Concepts from the Jewish Renewal movement and Earth-based Judaism, which emphasizes Jewish practice based on the cycles of nature and time, are among those that she focuses on.
Rabbi Andrea is based in Canada and works with English speaking students
Rabbi Ileanah Carazo (Costa Rica)
Rabbi Ileanah had a profound yearning for spiritual meaning many years ago, just like many others. She explored various traditions and studied different paths of wisdom but felt thirsty until she discovered Judaism, which she knew was her home. Rabbi Ileanah's ancestors were Spanish conversos, and returning to Judaism felt like a full circle to her roots. As a result, she can understand the doubts and joys of those going through a similar process and can help make it an unforgettable experience.
Having had the opportunity to study directly with many great sages of different traditions and perspectives, Rabbi Ileanah has a broad understanding of the beautiful colors and manifestations of Judaism. She is also passionate about travel, which has taken her around the world and allowed her to appreciate sparks of divinity in each human being and the cultures that make our world.
Rabbi Ileanah is based in Costa Rica and works with students in English and Spanish
Coming Soon?
We are always growing, so even if you do not see a mentor in your immediate area, don’t hesitate to apply for our conversion to Judaism program. Additionally, our mentors work with people all over the world. Just because rabbis Andrea, Ileanah and Barbara are not nearby does not mean they are unwilling to help you become Jewish!