The Road Back: An Evangelical Minister Rediscovers Her Jewish Identity

I have Tova's book ever since it was first published. Hearing her in person was amazing. Her story brought me to tears. Reply

Wow Tovah was amazing! Please have her back. I would love to hear how she left the church and became Torah observant! Thanks Chana! Reply

Je veux être juif et apprendre ta culture S'il te plaît, dis-moi quoi faire Reply

I love Tovah! I was in Machon Alte just as she was getting ready to leave to get married. Such a beautiful pure soul. I am inspired to be like her and I was so bf excited to see her interview. Thank you! Reply

I believe it is worth noting that Tova’s experience is in a fringe Protestant denomination of rural UK and not Roman Catholic, Orthodox/Catholic or mainstream Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran mainstream Christianity. I wish there was more detail regarding the ‘seminary’ that accepted 16 year old girls 40 years ago (circa 1984) and engaged in apparently odd behavior towards their seminarians. It is important to give details since I have publicly debated various non-Jews and unfortunately Jewish intellectuals that make similar remarks about Yeshiva students based on bad information or the anecdotes of Yeshiva ‘dropouts’ . I am not sure her story is typical of Christian experience in their churches since they really don’t seem to have animosity towards Jews from my over 5 decades of experience with them. I am happy for her and her experience is valuable, but I think she was escaping a cult and whether it was Jewish, Christian, Muslim , Hindu or Buddhist is less relevant; she escaped B’’H Reply

Absolutely gripping! The Godly forces that tore her away from the depth of the church and brought her back to her people... I can understand how her uncle was chozer b'teshuva after seeing Yad Hashem... Reply

Her story sounds like mine. I too am a Ordained minister and found out later that I am of Jewish heritage. My Dad told me after I was married so I pursued finding out more. My maiden name was Rothrock meaning Red Coat. I found out We are Ashkenazi and the name is for someone with red hair. My dad was a carrot top and mom black hair, I always had auburn hair with lots of reddish hilights. I understand they spoke Yiddish I don't but have been studying Hebrew on line through the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. I also have been studying the Torah the last few yrs to understand the Laws and learn the prayers, songs, and about the Jewish people in the begining. I have been going to Israel since 2015, mainly Jerusalem, every year since and sometimes 2 X's a year for the Feasts. I was in Jeerusalem 2023 when the war started and saw the families who were traumatized. I volunteered in the soup kitchen at King of Kings accross from the Abraham Hostel in Central Jerusalem. I love Israel Reply

Amazing story. Wow. Hashem answered her prayers! She kept davening and Hashem pulled her out! Wow!
Another phenomenal interview! Thank you Chana! Reply

Wow! Wow! Wow! Such a tear-jerker; I sat riveted! Although my church background is very different - Baptist, but mostly Pentecostal, even Toronto "Blessing", etc., etc., for the first 31 years of my 40 year detour until the last 9 years as a messianic, while coming out of it - there is so much that Tova said which resonates with me because of the downgrading of the soul in all streams of Xianity (that's the only way they can make us think we need a sacrificing demi-gd-"savior"), and the Jewish soul that seeks more!!! I'm 60 and only just 2 years out; have changed & grown more in those 2 years than I would ever have grown in a million while growing upside down... and still in the very difficult first stages where I wish it could all happen quicker.
Thank you for sharing your very intimate story. One struggling Divine spark (her uncle) - resurrected the Divine spark within Tova, which in turn reignited the Divine spark in your loved ones... & in many others. Reply

Wow truly incredible! Reply

Tova’s story touched me so deeply that I have now found myself crying. Her story is somehow best described by me as bittersweet. I wouldn’t mind to have contact with her, if possible, but regardless it was beautiful to listen to. All the very best to you for sharing it. You are truly a very sensitive and beautiful soul. Despite all the many amazing stories you’ve had, Chana, this one hit more closely to home for me. Yasher Choach. Reply

Thank you Tova Mordechai for a real testimony. She was with darkness and G-d helped her find His path to the light.I pray for her relationship with her Christian Family. I am an evangelical learning about the Jewish Faith. Reply

How did she get out of the church?! The podcast missed the main point! Reply

Wow wow I can connect too this pretty much the same background mother was Jewish but raised Catholic christian. Felt so empty inside though I was religious. Reply

I want to connect to Tova Mordechai to discuss the concept of spirituality vs G-dliness. Is there a way I can reach her? Thank you. Reply

I so relate to Tova Mordechai's story. Especially the power of the mezuzah! I would love to know how she raised a frum family, especially coming from a deep place of wanting to connect to Hashem and the emes. That's so similar to my own journey, as she says, the journey of a Jewish soul. Thank you so much for your kind, facilitating interviewing style, she was able to express her passion in a free and uninhibited way. Reply

Thank you so much for this Chana and Tova!
So inspiring and meaningful! Reply