How I Rediscovered My Jewish Connection

For Wendy Erdheim, the path to a deeper connection with her Jewish heritage was paved with unexpected turns and moments of insight. Growing up in New York State, Wendy's early experiences with Judaism were limited, leaving her curious but disconnected from her roots. However, a series of encounters and educational experiences as she began college would ignite a passion for Jewish learning and observance that would reshape her life.

Wendy's Jewish journey was rekindled after she attended a Birthright trip in her late teens. "I always loved Israel," she recalls. "I had a Reform Jewish background and wanted to know more." This initial taste of Israel sparked a desire to explore further, leading her to participate in various programs that gradually deepened her connection to the Jewish State and Judaism.

One of the more pivotal moments in Wendy's journey was her participation in a Hasbara Fellowships seminar that focused on Jewish learning and self-discovery. During an extended stay in Israel, one of the rabbis on the program recommended that an ideal next step in her budding Jewish journey would be to attend Aish’s Discovery Seminar.

"He told me, ‘Check out this program. It's a good, quick day of learning. You'll enjoy it. It's not too intense,'" Wendy remembers. Intrigued by the promise of accessible yet meaningful Jewish education, she decided to give it a try.

The seminar proved to be a turning point for Wendy. She describes the experience as eye-opening and inspiring.

The seminar proved to be a turning point for Wendy. She describes the experience as eye-opening and inspiring. "We sat and learned about things that I had never encountered before, and that seemed very truthful and difficult to refute," she says. “You examine various arguments about the divinity of the Torah. You see the miracle of Jewish history and survival. I felt more inspired than I had in a long time.”

One particular aspect of the seminar that resonated with Wendy was the connection drawn between historical events and Jewish teachings. She vividly remembers a discussion about the link between the Nuremberg trials and the Purim story. "It was just one of those moments that didn't feel like they were drawing straws or trying to force connections. It felt way too true, too real to ignore," she reflects.

The impact of the seminar extended far beyond the day of learning. For Wendy, it planted seeds of curiosity and spiritual growth that would continue to flourish in the years to come. "Every now and then, when I think about my connections and how I started becoming more engaged with Judaism, this seminar is one of those moments that stands out," she says.

Inspired by her experience, Wendy brought a similar program to her college campus at Oswego, NY, organizing it as the main event for Jewish Awareness Week. "It was in one of the medium-sized lecture halls, and it was pretty full," she recalls. "People thought it was pretty cool. I had non-Jewish friends coming to see it as well as Jewish friends, they all came out inspired."

Following her introduction to Jewish learning through the seminar, Wendy's journey continued to unfold. She moved to New York City after college and became involved with Manhattan Jewish Experience (MJE), an organization that taught Judaism in a modern context. This approach resonated with Wendy, who was seeking a way to integrate her Jewish identity with her contemporary lifestyle, but living near Monsey, she didn’t feel particularly connected to the community there.

"Finding a way to keep my own lifestyle and not cut everything or everyone off, but still be able to maintain that relationship with my family and friends, who weren’t on the same journey that I was, while bringing God into my life, was what drove me to become more involved," Wendy explains.

Today, Wendy's life reflects the deep connection she's forged with her Jewish heritage. She lives in Efrat, Israel, with her husband, two sons, and three dogs. The family attends synagogue regularly and maintains a Jewish home. Wendy now works in the high-tech industry in Israel, balancing her professional life with her commitment to Jewish values and practices.

Reflecting on her journey, Wendy expressed amazement at where life has taken her. "If you had asked me when I was growing up if this is where I would be and this is what I would be doing, I would never have guessed it," she admits. "But here I am, and that seminar is one of the big reasons why. It was the lightning rod that hurled me forward on my Jewish journey."

For those interested in embarking on their own journey of Jewish discovery, Wendy offers a piece of advice based on her experience: "If you are going to participate in a Jewish learning program, be focused on it because there are a lot of nuances. If you aren't focused, you'll be missing out."

Curious about the eye-opening experience that captivated Wendy Erdheim and 100,000 others? Now’s your chance to explore it too. For the first time ever, Aish’s Discovery program is available online. Sign up today. Classes start November 3 on Aish+. Click to learn more here: aish.com/discovery