Fourteen and Searching: My Path to Judaism | Aliza Bulow

🎧 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: [email protected] She has hours of recorded classes available at www.abiteoftorah.com Want to know more about the organization (CORE), check here: www.coretorah.org ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 2:21 - Growing up Jewish vs. adopting Judaism 12:38 - Parents' divorce and the vacuum of guidance 14:00 - The year-long family field study (1974) 27:04 - The Holocaust survivor's question 28:25 - "I couldn't conceive what he was asking" 34:19 - "I needed the rest of the Jewish world to know I'm Jewish" 35:13 - Soviet Jewry activism and writing letters 48:55 - Second conversion in Jerusalem 51:15 - Tiny sadnesses: Christmas ornaments left behind 52:30 - "I'll never put you on Santa's lap" 53:03 - Relationship with Hashem: Purpose in the world 58:34 - Difference between Jews by birth and Jews by choice 59:46 - Responsibility vs. Possibility 1:02:16 - The sourdough culture parable 1:06:02 - Final thoughts and closing CONNECT WITH US: 🎧 Listen to all our podcasts: [www.joidenver.com/podcasts] Follow us for more: Website - https://www.joidenver.com Instagram -   / joidenver   Facebook -   / joidenver   YouTube -    / joidenver   Pinterest -   / jewishdiy   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 christianity to judaism, jewish conversion, religious conversion, convert to judaism, orthodox judaism, spiritual journey, faith transformation, christian convert, judaism conversion story, leaving christianity, finding faith, religious awakening, jewish life, orthodox jewish, graduate school story, divorce and faith, spiritual growth, personal transformation, zero percent podcast, jewish community, conversion process, faith journey, religious change, spiritual discovery, christian background, jewish tradition, orthodox conversion, religious story, faith crisis, spiritual awakening, jewish convert, conversion testimony, religious transformation, judaism stories, convert story, spiritual path, finding judaism, jewish faith, religious journey, faith conversion, spiritual memoir, conversion experience, jewish lifestyle, orthodox life, religious podcast, faith stories, conversion documentary, jewish inspiration, religious inspiration, spiritual motivation, how to convert to judaism, orthodox conversion process, beit din interview, jewish conversion requirements, why people convert to judaism, jewish conversion testimony, interfaith relationships, questioning faith, spiritual seeking, shabbat observance, kosher lifestyle, hebrew learning, orthodox jewish life, jewish traditions, mikvah, jewish identity, colorado jews, denver jewish community, american jewish converts, jewish conversion america, orthodox jews america, life change story, spiritual fulfillment, why i converted, my conversion story, leaving my religion, finding my faith