Transcript [00:00] because I remember through my conversion [00:01] process. So, mind you, I'm in Fort [00:03] Lauderdale. I lived on the 17th floor. [00:06] You have to keep Shabbat. Can't use [00:08] elevators. So, yes, 17 flights of [00:11] stairs. I did that for the whole So, [00:14] mind you, my my conversion was almost 2 [00:16] years. And so, for 2 years and I was [00:18] thinking as I was walking down, I'm [00:20] like, [00:20] >> I'm going to do this for the rest of my [00:22] life. Not the stairs [music] part, but [00:23] uh meaning keeping Shabbat, meaning this [00:26] life. I was uh thinking to myself, okay, [00:29] no matter what, if the conversion [00:32] process was going to take me 3 years, 4 [00:33] years, 7 years, I already made the [00:35] decision at the time. [music] So, you [00:37] know what? Uh I know this is the right [00:38] path for me and that uh I'm going to [00:41] stick it through. [00:42] >> I am currently on vacation in the [00:43] beautiful upstate New York. But still, [00:45] we got an episode for you every single [00:47] week. Here we go. How did one of [00:49] America's biggest heroes, a former US [00:51] Marine, find his way to Orthodox [00:53] Judaism? Mosha Luck's story is one of [00:55] courage, sacrifice, and an extraordinary [00:56] journey of faith. And be sure to stay [00:58] until the very end because someone very [01:00] special unexpectedly joins us for a [01:02] moment you won't want to miss. You will [01:04] also hear from our friends at Qualified [01:06] Protein Powder, Debbing, Whiss Kabad, [01:08] the Milliondoll Giveaway, and LL. Here [01:11] we go. Mosha, thank you so much for [01:13] doing this. And first off, Masletov, [01:15] you're literally coming from the OHL and [01:17] just got engaged to Alisha who's here in [01:19] the room. So, huge Mazletov. [01:20] >> Thank you. Thank you. Um but and we'll [01:22] get to that, but before your childhood, [01:25] where you grew up and what childhood was [01:27] like? Can you tell us about that? [01:28] >> Um you so I'm a Floridaian. Um born and [01:31] raised. I was actually born in Fort [01:33] Lauderdale and I moved to Gainesville [01:35] when uh I was about four. Uh then most [01:38] of my life in Central Florida, but now [01:40] that I moved it back down to South [01:42] Florida since 2015, it's been been uh [01:44] balancing out. But uh as far as like me [01:47] growing up, I will have to be honest [01:49] like life wasn't always easy. It was uh [01:51] you know I was born to two Haitian [01:53] parents who came here to United States [01:55] for a better life. And uh when I was [01:58] born and uh my sister and then my [02:00] brother um when we in Gainesville, we [02:02] moved to um Central Florida to you know [02:06] to to move over there. As we were [02:08] driving there, we were in the U-Haul [02:10] truck, myself, my brother and my father. [02:12] And then my mother and my two sisters, [02:14] uh my other my youngest sister was born [02:16] in Gainesville was in a van behind us [02:19] and we were driving down. It was night [02:21] time. I remember uh all of a sudden [02:24] boom, we hit a tree and my father was uh [02:27] um you know stuck his hand out to [02:29] protect myself and my little brother [02:32] from the windshield that u broke and [02:34] actually uh severed severed his hand. [02:37] And I didn't know at the time what was [02:39] going on. Um, and the reason why I say [02:41] all this because it kind of uh tells you [02:44] the tenacity and perseverance that he [02:46] had to go through in order to for to [02:47] rehabilitate. Um, luckily this actually [02:50] happened in front of a hospital. So, as [02:53] you can imagine, my father's like, "Go [02:55] go take out and take out of my my [02:57] brother on the other side of the truck." [03:00] And it was the because the cabin was [03:02] filled with smoke. I don't know what was [03:04] going on. and uh the firefighters and [03:08] police was there and it's very chaotic. [03:11] I just remember my father holding his [03:13] hand with blood dripping down into the [03:15] drain and um you know the thing is what [03:18] the reason why I noticed that u or why [03:21] the cabin was filling with smoke is [03:23] because the truck eventually caught on [03:25] fire. So luckily we got out and uh we [03:28] were unharmed. Unfortunately a lot of [03:30] our um stuff our belongings were you [03:33] know caught on fire. Um next morning my [03:36] mom you know went to see what she can [03:38] salvage and then for like uh several [03:41] months uh my me and my siblings were [03:43] with our grandparents to u to stay with [03:46] them as my mother stayed with my father [03:48] through you know physical therapy and uh [03:50] rehabilitation. And so however through [03:53] all of that my father was able to um get [03:58] partial motion of his hand uh start his [04:00] own business in uh reposting chairs and [04:03] he did that for a while until he went [04:05] back to school uh to become a doctor but [04:07] eventually he became a chiropractor. did [04:09] that. And uh you know, fast forward uh [04:12] to see like looking back now, I'm 40 [04:16] years old, looking back and I see I was [04:20] raised in a home that um didn't see the [04:24] challenges. I was young and I didn't [04:27] realize what it took to put myself and [04:29] my sisters or my siblings in private [04:32] school. And you know, private school is [04:34] not cheap. [laughter] [04:36] But um essentially what I see now of of [04:40] the person who I am today is because of [04:41] my parents. Uh perseverance, the [04:43] tenacity, the grit, and that's just me [04:45] as a person as a whole. And so I would [04:47] say my childhood uh even though it was [04:49] tough, um the way they molded me was uh [04:53] I was built tough in a way to be able to [04:54] deal with life. And that's kind of the [04:56] reason why uh whenever I do stuff, I [04:59] always do it and not half, you know, [05:01] halfway, but at the same time uh being [05:03] able to really put my all into it. So [05:07] that kind of led me to join the military [05:09] and stuff and of course we'll talk about [05:10] that, but uh just as a person as a whole [05:13] um that really shaped it. I know I did [05:15] my best to kind of summarize that, but [05:17] uh that's the best way I can explain [05:19] like my childhood. [05:20] >> That's well said. And I'm curious uh [05:22] from a religious level, what what were [05:24] were you guys practicing? Were you not [05:25] practicing? [05:26] >> So [clears throat] um my parents were [05:29] actually seminary Adventists um uh [05:31] growing up or when I was growing up and [05:33] that's how actually my mom and dad met [05:34] was in the church. So [05:37] um up until 13 years old and I was, you [05:40] know, getting ready for uh church for [05:42] for those of me know 7th Day Adventists [05:44] are Christians that worship on Saturday. [05:47] M [05:47] >> uh it's like it's not like any other uh [05:49] I guess Christian groups or denomination [05:52] where uh they worship on Sunday. So a [05:55] little uh nuance just to kind of explain [05:57] also uh 7th day Adventist we don't eat [05:59] pork or ham. So it's I would say the [06:01] closest um Christian uh Christian [06:04] denomination uh that's to Judaism in a [06:08] sense. [clears throat] [06:09] >> Interesting. [06:09] >> So we were getting ready for church and [06:12] my parents like uh we're getting we're [06:14] going to the synagogue. I'm like huh? [06:15] And that was the first time me seeing uh [06:18] you know people with Yarmaka was this [06:20] text Hebrew. Obviously I was uh I was [06:23] out of place but it was my it was a [06:26] culture shock you know but I realized [06:29] that um at the time you know it was like [06:33] okay Saturday it didn't really change [06:35] the momentum. It was so it didn't really [06:37] change the rhythm. So Saturday was still [06:40] our uh uh Saturday our Shabbat and um we [06:43] started off with the Messianic [06:45] congregation and when we moved from Alma [06:48] Springs to Deltona we were finding a a [06:50] new synagogue, new place. So we did uh [06:52] some searching we actually went to a [06:54] Orthodox community I remember and uh it [06:58] was the first time I see women and men [07:00] separated. I was like what? And it was [07:02] very odd. But uh nonetheless, I I do [07:04] recall uh having that experience. And [07:07] then we're transitioning between like [07:10] should we go back to Messianic or uh a [07:13] conservative school that we uh that [07:14] we're going to. So just kind of [07:16] >> conservative church. [07:17] >> No, conservative synagogue. Synagogue. [07:20] >> Oh, you're going to Okay. I did not [07:21] realize that. [07:21] >> So like the thing is for me like I [07:23] didn't know the differences between the [07:24] Orthodox, conservative or any other like [07:27] sector of Judaism. So the thing is that [07:29] uh for me um eventually we settled uh [07:32] with a conservative uh uh synagogue and [07:35] the thing is that um we still held a lot [07:38] of um Christian uh I guess values or [07:41] beliefs in terms of like when we talk [07:43] about uh Jesus and stuff like that. Um [07:46] but as we as I got older, it started to [07:51] shift uh in a way of like I always ask [07:54] my friends, you know, why do you worship [07:56] on uh Sunday? you know, not necessarily [08:01] um in a way [clears throat] that is [08:04] it I would say around 13 or when we [08:06] transition, I was asking a lot of [08:08] questions and like a lot of it was um [08:11] about Jesus, about Saturday, about why [08:13] we're different from u the rest of [08:15] Christianity and then also we're in [08:17] between with uh when it comes to [08:19] Judaism. So, it's kind of like my [08:21] journey in terms of uh where I am today. [08:24] Obviously, it started back then, but uh [08:26] as far as like our transition, it was um [08:30] it was it was enlightening. It was [08:31] interesting. Uh I do want to share a [08:33] story that uh when we had our first [08:36] pesak or Passover, it was at a friend's [08:39] weed a um Jewish neighbor. He didn't [08:43] live in our community, but like uh we [08:45] would go to him. uh he was kind enough [08:47] to uh go to his seder at his home and I [08:52] think I'm on my third cup now I'm 13 [08:55] years old right and I'm not going to lie [08:57] I got little tips you know man Chevz [09:00] uh we had a good experience I I remember [09:03] my mom telling him like no that's enough [09:06] he's like no you're good you're good [09:08] you're good and so I'm here like tips [09:09] like you know I had a great time but [09:11] nonetheless uh moments like that was um [09:14] it was fun for me and Um but [09:16] nonetheless, I did actually have a bar [09:18] mitzvah when I was 17 because uh through [09:20] that time I was learning Hebrew. Um I [09:23] was learning from aliyah to to go call [09:26] up to the Torah and to give a sermon. [09:29] And what I what for me and I know [09:32] huckily that wasn't uh I I didn't do the [09:35] conversion but for me I uh took it on as [09:38] if uh I was Jewish myself. And then [09:40] later on uh in [clears throat] life I [09:42] realized the different nuances between [09:45] conservative between uh orthodox and so [09:48] forth and that messianic uh Judaism is [09:50] not considered uh and it's not just to [09:53] offend anybody. It's just like uh [09:54] because of the big belief of that uh the [09:57] difference of like Jesus being Messiah. [09:59] So that's was um what I was learning. [10:02] And so what led me to be part of Kabad [10:05] though was when I and I will go into it [10:10] but um I had you know graduated high [10:12] school went to the Marine Corps and when [10:13] I came uh [10:14] >> but can we take a step back cuz I don't [10:16] at least in the from community I don't [10:18] meet that many I mean in Israel you a [10:20] lot of people go in the army but in [10:21] America Marines Marines Marines [10:23] >> sorry to go to the Marines I [laughter] [10:24] meant the special Marines. Yeah. Yeah. [10:25] Sorry. Sorry Marines. [10:27] But like what what [10:30] what was the decision factor there to go [10:32] to the Marines? [10:33] >> Let me see. The reason why I joined the [10:35] Marines versus the other branches. Okay. [10:38] >> Um and I apologize to all my uh veterans [10:42] out there who served in our Air Force or [10:46] Navy or Army. Hey, look everybody served [10:48] their time. Can't forget the Coast [10:50] Guard. Can't forget you coasties. All [10:52] right. I didn't forget you. And now we [10:54] got Space Force. But nonetheless, uh, [10:56] why I joined the Marine Corps? The [10:57] Marine Corps, like I said, if you're [10:59] going to do something, you got to go all [11:01] out. For me, it was the Marines, the [11:04] few, the proud. I was like, you know [11:05] what? I'm not going to lie, the [11:06] commercial would did help. [laughter] [11:08] Uh, but at the same time, uh, for [11:10] anybody or just you think about military [11:12] say, oh, Marines. Oh, yeah. You don't [11:13] want to mess with them. So like at the [11:16] same time um it was back in 2004 [11:20] where um I thought I was going to go to [11:23] school for music because I was in uh [11:25] band and actually I was in choir. Um I [11:28] was musically inclined. Uh so for me it [11:31] was okay I'm going to go to school. I [11:32] was going to do something with music. [11:34] But in 2004, the election cycle was [11:36] happening and in my government and [11:39] politics class, my senior year, uh we [11:41] had to follow the the elections and like [11:43] uh do reports each week, blah blah blah. [11:46] So for me, it was like something inside [11:49] of me said I want to go into politics, [11:52] not necessarily politics, but I wanted [11:53] to be president of the United States of [11:55] the United States. So the thing is being [11:58] president of the United States was a way [12:00] of me wanting to be something I wanted [12:03] to do growing up which is to be like [12:05] Moses. [12:06] >> I know it seems kind of like weird to [12:08] think of it that way but uh ever since I [12:09] was little it was that movie the Ten [12:11] Commandments and it was like [12:14] >> I don't know why but something in my [12:16] soul just like uh I want to be like [12:18] Moses. And so the thing is when I saw, [12:22] you know, Bush and uh Kerry who were uh [12:25] running at this at that time, I was [12:27] like, you know what, it wasn't about [12:29] Republican or Democrats. It was just [12:30] about two people wanting to do something [12:33] for the country. And I was like, okay. I [12:35] thought it was noble. Um now I, you [12:38] know, realized that you don't [12:40] necessarily necessarily have to run for [12:42] president of the United States in order [12:44] to make a difference. [12:45] >> But nonetheless, I was 18 at the time. [12:47] didn't know what I wanted to do. No, [12:49] other than the fact that I want to be [12:51] president of the United States. So, I [12:53] thought that there was a degree for it [12:56] and but obviously there wasn't. Uh, and [12:58] so I asked my rabbi, asked people, [13:00] friends, you know, it was my ex's mom at [13:03] the time that told me, "Why don't you [13:05] join the military?" Because people back [13:06] then apparently had military experience [13:08] before they went into politics. So, I'm [13:10] like, "Okay." So, I decided to go into [13:13] um decide like which branch I was going [13:15] to go into. But in my heart, I knew I [13:17] wanted to go into the Marines. Now, I [13:20] remember this decision [13:23] because it was the first decision that I [13:26] made against my parents wishes. My [13:28] parents did not want me to go into the [13:30] military, let alone the Marines. So, my [13:32] uh when my parents realized, you know, [13:35] that I'm I'm going to do this and they [13:37] they realized also I'm 18 years old. I'm [13:40] actually old enough to make my own [13:41] decision. And so, so they told me, [13:43] however, to check other branches. Uh, of [13:46] course, they were leaning towards the [13:49] Air Force. All right. I mean, [13:52] I actually was overweight when I got to [13:54] boot camp. And I got to tell you, I'm [13:56] not afraid to say this, but I was like [13:58] over 230 uh at the time. Uh, I had to [14:01] drop down to 213. Um, that was depth [14:04] weight. Now, what they did not tell me [14:06] was you actually had to be at 209. So, I [14:10] was actually four pounds overweight when [14:11] I got shipped to boot camp. Nonetheless, [14:14] they I was able to sign sign a waiver, [14:16] went to boot camp, and I got to tell [14:18] you, um I didn't know what I signed up [14:19] for because, you know, it's one of those [14:22] things, [14:24] uh best experience that you never want [14:26] to do again. [14:27] >> All right? And so, any Marines will [14:29] understand that. But I get to Paris [14:31] Island and Yeah. For me, I was on a on a [14:35] van, but it was like 15 other people. [14:36] It's like a big van. And we're there [14:39] sitting quietly, you know. It's like, [14:41] what's going on? It's like, okay. Now, [14:43] we're at the at this uh door, the silver [14:47] door. Every every Marines knows this. Uh [14:50] at the Cador, it says on top, if I I [14:52] don't know, verbatim, it says through [14:53] these doors are the world's uh fighting [14:55] force, world's finest fighting force or [14:57] something like that. [14:58] >> But uh it's quite I'll say 5 minutes in, [15:02] you know, nothing's going on. The uh the [15:05] driver was like, you know, he's just [15:06] sitting there. He knows what's going on. [15:08] So, uh, all of a sudden, boom, door [15:11] opens. [15:14] GET OFF MY BUS. And like literally like [15:17] I didn't know what was going on. I just [15:18] know like, okay, get up and get out of [15:20] here. All right. Nothing to butt. I'm [15:22] like, nothing to butt. Like, nothing to [15:23] what? And so, like, you know, privacy, [15:25] there's nothing. There's no privacy. [15:27] Matter of fact, um, not to scare [15:28] anybody, but there is no doors in the uh [15:31] in the stalls. Mhm. [15:32] >> So you using the bathroom and like [15:33] people can walk around and like talk to [15:35] you while you you doing your business. [15:36] All right. Um but nonetheless um yeah we [15:40] I learned real quick uh to run to talk [15:43] fast to talk loud. Um but for me it was [15:47] uh you know like I said one of the best [15:48] experience um uh even looking back my [15:51] senior drill instructor Staff Sergeant [15:53] Nunes trust me every Marine knows their [15:56] staff's staff senior drill instructor. [15:59] Um, but nonetheless, mind you, like I [16:01] said, I was a fat body, but I was still [16:03] able to do a waiver. And through boot [16:06] camp, I was I was struggling physically. [16:08] While most of the people, uh, in boot [16:10] camp had already done like a debt [16:12] program or has were physically [16:13] conditioned, I wasn't. And so, uh, I'm [16:17] there. But the thing about me, like I [16:19] said, I had grit, uh, learning how, uh, [16:22] my parents were, uh, growing up. Uh, I [16:24] didn't give up. So, I remember my first [16:26] physical fitness test that we had to go [16:28] through and [16:31] essentially [16:32] I think the pull-ups I did uh the bare [16:34] minimum and sit-ups I did bare minimum. [16:36] So, I passed that. It was just the [16:38] running uh part that I failed. Um so, [16:41] they blow the whistle like I think it [16:43] was like 13 minutes that you had to do [16:45] it for a mile and a half and uh [16:47] obviously I wasn't done but there was [16:50] also other people that was not done. Uh [16:52] but they as soon as the whistle blew uh [16:54] blew it uh they start walking and for me [16:57] I just kept you know jogging but I [16:59] didn't give up. And so what I didn't [17:01] realize at the time the senior drill [17:03] instructor gets to choose who gets uh [17:05] recycled or continues with the uh with [17:08] that platoon because if you get recycled [17:11] uh you actually get you stay longer in [17:13] boot camp. Now mind you the Marine Corps [17:15] uh boot camp is 13 weeks. So that's a [17:16] little over three uh three months. All [17:18] right. So, um, nobody was trying to get [17:22] recycled. [17:23] >> And so, but, uh, luckily for me, I I [17:26] knew knowing that I failed. I was like, [17:27] you know what? Um, I still had my, you [17:29] know, held up high chest out and, uh, [17:32] senior drill, uh, senior drill [17:34] instructor. It was like, uh, you know, [17:36] go back in go back in line with others. [17:39] So, for me, it was like, oh, okay, okay, [17:42] we keep going. So, I just through boot [17:44] camp, I just kept trying, just never [17:45] gave up. Never gave up. Uh, and when we [17:48] were getting fitted for our uniforms, I [17:50] noticed uh chevrons in the pockets. Now, [17:52] there were five uh people that got it. [17:56] Now, apparently that um I believe three [17:59] of the squad leaders got one and then uh [18:02] or either three or four or I think all [18:05] the squad leaders received theirs in a [18:07] guide. Uh basically what it is is that [18:09] you get notoriously promoted, meaning [18:11] you get promoted in boot camp. uh is [18:14] usually reserved for the ones that go [18:16] above and beyond. Now, at the time, I [18:19] was thinking to myself, um I'm usually [18:21] physically behind, but of course, [18:23] throughout boot camp, I'm progressing. [18:24] I'm, you know, keep I'm actually doing [18:26] better and better. And by the time [18:28] graduation day comes around and we're uh [18:30] running as a platoon, my senior drill [18:33] instructor tells me to come up to the [18:34] front. I'm like, "Oh, I better not fall [18:36] out." But luckily, you know, I'm here in [18:39] front uh leading um leading my my squad. [18:42] Obviously, I wasn't the squad leader uh [18:44] and to begin with it throughout boot [18:46] camp, but um you know, running wasn't [18:49] always my best suit uh my best thing, [18:52] but uh it's one of those things that uh [18:54] my senior drill my senior drill [18:56] instructor for me was always there at [18:59] the end. So, when I was like usually the [19:01] last one uh I would say about a/4 mile [19:03] in uh or before the finish line, he [19:07] would come up and say, "Hey, come here. [19:08] Look right here." And it's like uh he [19:10] says he always ran besides me. He was [19:12] like, you know, always helped me to push [19:14] and like even though he still had to be, [19:16] you know, adrenal starter like and uh [19:18] but at the same time, I can see looking [19:19] back uh he always encouraged me. 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[22:36] It was pretty fun. It was nice. Uh I [22:39] actually my unit was coming back from [22:41] Afghanistan. So, usually you would be [22:44] sent with your unit to to the, you know, [22:47] whatever uh campaign that they're on. [22:49] But since they were coming back, um they [22:51] didn't send me out to the Middle East. [22:52] They uh just kept me in Okanau. So, for [22:56] me, it was uh Okanau and then we were on [23:00] the 31st MU. Basically what it is is [23:03] like uh we're patrolling the Pacific [23:05] area with the Navy and uh we did uh what [23:08] you call it training with the [23:10] Australians also I had an opportunity to [23:12] go to uh Korea and the Philippines and [23:15] so those are like awesome uh experiences [23:17] where you know traveling the world going [23:19] to different countries I'm thinking to [23:21] myself well I want to continue doing [23:23] that [23:24] >> so I actually signed up to become a [23:26] marine security guard so from there from [23:29] OK and after I went through those uh [23:31] deployments [23:32] I went to I was trying to get to Israel [23:35] for my first duty station because you [23:36] get it's a three-year uh program. Uh at [23:39] the time you get a year at each post. So [23:42] my first post I was trying to get to [23:43] Israel but I actually went up to [23:45] Damascus Syria. So that was pretty [23:46] interesting. [23:47] >> Uh but you know I still had uh I was I [23:50] still had a good time. It wasn't bad. I [23:52] know that in 2010 the Arab Spring [23:53] happened after I had uh left, but um [23:57] Syria was my first duty station and then [24:00] um Brazil was my second and I spent a [24:03] month in Uruguay and then my last post [24:05] was actually in Jerusalem in Israel and [24:07] I was I wouldn't have changed it any [24:09] other way because it was a great way to [24:10] end my uh Marine Corps career. [24:13] >> And what was it like for you at that [24:15] point? you're [24:18] leaning towards Judaism when you're when [24:20] you get to Jerusalem or not? again like [24:22] I already was uh well obviously in terms [24:26] of Judaism I already went to synagogue I [24:28] already did like my bar mitzvah but for [24:31] me it was uh an opportunity to really [24:35] experience Judaism in Israel because I [24:40] did make sure I tell told my drill [24:42] instructor that I was Jewish and I [24:45] wanted to to go to the synagogues there [24:47] or the shs and at least have the [24:49] holidays off. So I yes I did while I was [24:52] in the Mar Marine Corps did work on [24:54] Saturdays uh uh rarely um but uh while [24:59] you're on the Marine Corps or Marine [25:00] security guard sometimes you do work [25:02] weekends [25:03] >> um but particularly when I was in Israel [25:05] I made sure that I had as many Shabbats [25:08] off and obviously making sure I had the [25:11] holidays off and the one holiday I [25:13] remember that really meant something to [25:14] me was Yum Kipur because um I was living [25:18] like I said in Jerusalem uh up in Tensy [25:20] Street, not too far from the the old [25:23] city. [25:24] >> So, I was able to walk there and to [25:26] really see how everything just quiet uh [25:29] quiet down. Uh the only vehicles that [25:31] vehicles that you see is the police cars [25:33] or the ambulance and you just felt the [25:35] presence of like Yam Kipur and I went to [25:38] the hotel. Uh it wasn't my first time [25:41] there, but I just on that particular [25:42] day, uh it just felt like very [25:45] meaningful. But essentially [25:48] I will say my experience in Israel uh [25:52] you know just elevated. had the [25:53] opportunity to be there for all the [25:55] holidays including Hanukkah. And it was [25:58] just like a very meaningful experience [26:01] because who would knew that uh a guy [26:04] like me would be able to um serve his [26:07] last uh year in the Marine Corps in [26:09] Israel? [26:10] >> And yeah, [26:11] >> that's yeah, it's cool how that you [26:13] know, Asha made that happen. And did [26:17] your experience in Israel change your [26:21] desire, I guess, to like go full force [26:24] into like Orthodox Judaism and more [26:27] conversion or [26:28] >> No. So, uh let me see. Okay. So, let me [26:32] give you give you some uh context in [26:34] terms of how uh I got to where I am [26:36] today spiritually. So, I I'm done with [26:40] the Marine Corps. I go to school. I [26:42] finished my undergrad uh and I come down [26:44] to to South Florida uh for work. And so [26:49] at the time I was working in uh in the [26:52] elections uh for the 2016 2018 2020 [26:54] election cycle. Uh I was actually [26:56] working for the the Republican party to [26:59] get Trump elected and that's how I've [27:02] been involved in uh actually um I would [27:04] say I'm I'm still involved politically [27:07] uh with my rec or Republican executive [27:09] committee committee in South Florida. [27:13] But um that's more or less for me like [27:17] why I continue my my service in way from [27:22] the Marine Corps. So let me explain. I [27:24] wanted to become president of the [27:27] president of the United States because I [27:29] wanted to help people do something. So I [27:32] thought, you know, uh do that. So going [27:34] to the military was a like a stepping [27:36] stone to gain some leadership skills. Uh [27:39] and for me it was just no matter what I [27:42] do, whether it's u in a service or uh [27:45] politics or government, it's uh me [27:47] helping people, meaning getting [27:49] information out to people to help them [27:50] with their issues or whatever the case [27:52] may be. So for me it was just a way to [27:56] to to do that because that's the [27:59] reflection that reflection that I had on [28:01] myself and his way of thinking like who [28:04] am I? You know I think that every person [28:06] needs to go through that as far as like [28:08] what do you do? You're not you you're [28:10] more than just the job that you do. [28:12] You're more than just a mother father or [28:16] there's a lot of roles or a lot of hats [28:17] that we wear but I think we really need [28:20] to think about what we do. And so that's [28:22] kind of the thing that I realized no [28:23] matter what position, what role I did [28:26] was how am I bettering people and what I [28:28] do? And um regardless of like how people [28:31] look at your role or what you do, [28:33] especially when it comes to politics, um [28:35] I always look at it as far as how how [28:38] can I do this in a good way if that [28:40] makes sense. [28:42] >> Okay. So so spiritually how did that [28:44] lead to where you are now? [28:46] >> That's a good question. [28:48] I [28:49] was going through an an experience like [28:52] most Jews do where you once you leave [28:54] your parents' home, you kind of like [28:56] your you have to take responsibility of [28:58] your own Yiddish kite and for the most [29:02] part um it it kind of like lost it I [29:05] guess fire [clears throat] [29:06] >> but it I still make sure I went to to to [29:09] the sh um as much as I could at least [29:12] for the holidays. And um it was a few [29:16] years ago when my grandpa passed away [29:19] and I realized I definitely needed to I [29:23] would say I guess formalize uh or like [29:26] make sure my um conversion was like uh [29:29] official. So at the time uh I was [29:32] already part of a kabad and I did try to [29:36] look for other conservative uh [29:38] synagogues because that's what I'm used [29:41] to. But for me, the and this no offense [29:45] to like reform or conservatives, it's [29:47] just that um it I realized I needed more [29:50] [clears throat] especially I think my [29:51] experience in Israel may have a role in [29:54] that. [29:54] >> Um looking back at it because I'm [29:56] actually thinking out loud and I didn't [29:58] realize that at the time, but uh my [30:00] experience in Israel probably elevated [30:02] my soul in a way where I wanted to be [30:05] closer to Hashem, do like do more at [30:07] least what I what I felt. And so when I [30:09] was finding a synagogue or a place to go [30:11] to, the kabad was uh it felt more home. [30:16] And even though uh at the time my [30:19] conversion was questionable, it was [30:21] like, okay, I still wanted to be part of [30:23] this community. So I I still went to [30:26] services. I still showed up um [30:28] consistently. And I've been involved in [30:30] the Jewish community for a long time [30:32] since uh since I moved out here. So [30:33] since 2015, I've been uh in the Jewish [30:36] community uh all my adult life. So like [30:40] I said, my grandpa passed away a few [30:41] years ago. And for me, because I [30:46] realized I my parents didn't say cottage [30:48] because he wasn't um Jewish, he was [30:50] Catholic. It was like I didn't want to [30:54] have my children because I did want to [30:55] marry Jewish. And that's the reason why [30:57] I uh moved to South Florida because uh [30:59] when I had moved at the time, they gave [31:01] me an option to either go to [31:02] Jacksonville or South Florida. Um mind [31:05] you, I did have family I do have family [31:07] in um South Florida and I know there's a [31:09] Jew a big Jewish community or like [31:12] population in South Florida. So it's [31:13] like well I can be near family for for [31:16] any reason and then also if I want to [31:18] find a wife South Florida. So that's [31:21] kind of like uh how I made that [31:24] decision. And so when I was finding like [31:27] the Kabad community and u I stuck with [31:29] them um I wanted to make sure that my [31:34] children didn't necessarily uh resent [31:37] the community because God forbid that [31:41] that community or congregation say oh we [31:43] can't say cottage for your father [31:44] because he's not technically Jewish. M [31:46] >> I went through official Orthodox [31:48] conversion back in 2023 before October [31:52] 7th in uh uh and that's how it how it [31:55] led me to where I am today. So, but I [31:56] would say the conversion process really [31:59] elevated my whole ex uh relationship [32:02] with Hashem with God uh and then my [32:04] whole my whole perspective and outlook [32:06] as far as my purpose in life as well. [32:09] It's really incredible. As as you're, [32:12] you know, becoming orthodox or just [32:14] leaning more into your Yiddish kite, did [32:17] you get push back from your parents or [32:19] family cuz, you know, they didn't raise [32:22] you? I mean, I mean, there was Judaism [32:24] sort of in there, but was there push [32:26] back or was like, okay, no, [32:28] >> no, there wasn't. Um it was more like [32:31] more than anything it's like [32:34] uh make sure you like get married or [32:35] like uh but it was just make making sure [32:39] that um I stayed on right path because [32:42] for them uh whether it's orthodox or [32:44] conservative uh or reform is just my so [32:47] just kind of clarify so my father [32:49] actually did a uh conservative [32:50] conversion and my mom did reform [32:52] >> uh they decided to do it differently but [32:54] uh nonetheless they did their own uh [32:56] respective conversion. So for me wanted [32:59] to do Orthodox because like I said I'm [33:02] part of Kabad and now I have a better [33:04] understanding of like the the Jewish [33:06] world in that sense. I was like you know [33:09] what Orthodox was the way for me to to [33:11] go. While I was in the conversion [33:13] process uh it's more than just uh make [33:16] sure that uh it's kosher for me at the [33:20] time when I was going through it. I [33:22] wanted to be close close to Hashem. And [33:24] I remember uh Rabbi Shalom, Mayor [33:27] Hoskinner, shout out. All right. He's [33:29] the rabbi for YJP Lasola. So he's [33:31] probably going to see this, but uh um he [33:34] remembers that conversation. So there's [33:36] a cafe. We sat down, we talked. Um cuz I [33:39] remember I was trying to rap to fill in. [33:40] This was during it was Tishbah, mind [33:43] you. It was Tishb. Uh I think I had worn [33:46] to fill in maybe three times. Uh like, [33:49] you know, and so I didn't know how to [33:51] rap it myself. So, I was asking him if [33:54] he can help me. Um, and so, uh, you [33:57] know, being a rabbit, he he was asking [33:59] questions. I'm like, "Okay, like I'm [34:00] just trying to rap the song." And, uh, [34:03] so as I was like,, uh, trying to do it, [34:06] he said, "Okay, let me he pulled me [34:07] aside. Let me let me let me hear your [34:09] story." Because at the time, he just [34:11] like he knew me, but like he didn't like [34:13] really know me. [34:14] >> So, like that's why uh he sat down with [34:16] me [34:17] >> and he asked me like, "So, what's your [34:19] story? what are you jo uh why you want [34:21] to do more like mitzvot I told him like [34:23] I wanted to be closer to God because [34:26] when my grandpa passed away uh something [34:28] in me just like uh just pulled me and I [34:32] think that that's how it is with most [34:33] people regardless if you're Jewish or [34:34] not is like when you go through a [34:37] particular event in in life it really um [34:40] challenges you to look at life uh in a [34:43] new way where it's like what's the [34:45] meaning of life what's the purpose and [34:47] for me it was just like uh my grandpa [34:51] passing away and it's really [34:53] understanding like um for me for [34:58] to like clarif I needed clarity [35:01] >> and like um [35:02] >> and the best way to find clarity was to [35:04] be closer to God [35:05] >> if that makes sense [35:07] >> and [clears throat] so so that's kind of [35:08] like how uh that started that um journey [35:11] to do a orthodox conversion uh through [35:14] that uh process [35:17] um I was having some challenges is not [35:19] necessarily from the community but with [35:21] myself because me thinking okay well I'm [35:24] Jewish or you know thought that I was [35:26] Jewish and learning all this because the [35:28] bait thing well they'll tell you it's [35:30] like okay you need to learn more learn [35:31] more learn more and so as I'm learning [35:36] more Torah more mitzvah oh I can know [35:38] new blessing new this so and [snorts] [35:41] I was thinking to myself [35:43] I had enough knowledge uh I was doing [35:46] enough And I think it was the last [35:50] meeting before I got the confirmation. I [35:53] was wearing keepa tit and all that and I [35:55] was thinking myself like of course like [35:58] I'm good like I I know like ask me a [35:59] question. However [36:02] um I messed up on uh a couple questions, [36:06] simple questions and anybody that uh uh [36:09] would ask these questions [36:12] would know the answers. But I think what [36:14] it is is because my own pride caused me [36:17] uh to fellow those questions. And though [36:18] that question was the rapper was simple [36:20] question. It wasn't trying to trip me. [36:22] What's a broka for grapes and grape [36:24] juice? And for me I was like [snorts] [36:28] with all this knowledge I was like it is [36:30] it got me stuck. I'm like I was like I [36:32] was nervous too. I was like uh uh uh I [36:35] was like uh [36:37] and so like no he said and like yes [36:40] that's what I know. I knew I knew but I [36:41] knew it [36:42] >> but there's no way me for me to prove it [36:44] because he had already said it. [36:46] >> So I was like ah but like okay uh what [36:48] about grape juice? Like so I'm like okay [36:50] grape juice like but of course like we [36:53] all know like the grape uh juice uh is [36:55] the only like um uh fruit that is [36:58] elevated. So you get haggen. [37:00] >> But those are the two questions that [37:01] tripped me up. to where the the debate [37:03] thing was like okay no like I see the [37:05] bas all the other questions I got it [37:07] right but for some reason um God um [37:10] caused me I wasn't God caused me but I [37:12] think because of my pride and like uh [37:14] some of my character I needed to work on [37:16] caused me to to go back and learn more [37:19] not only just learning more now mind you [37:22] this was uh before the month of u [37:24] because I wanted to be done uh you know [37:26] done be done before Rashashana [37:29] and I used month of olo to really do a [37:32] lot of selfreflecting, soulsearching [37:36] and uh it was really at that moment at [37:38] that time where I realized it's more [37:40] than just just doing mitzvot it's more [37:42] than just uh um knowledge it's who you [37:46] are as a person because I realized at [37:48] the time being religious or just having [37:51] Torah knowledge doesn't mean that um um [37:54] you you your character also has to grow [37:57] as a Jew because I think if any you can [38:01] say promoting Judaism, but at the same [38:03] time um in a way it challenges you to [38:07] reflect on you yourself as a character [38:10] because it's more than just a belief. [38:11] It's more than just what you know is who [38:13] you are as a person. [38:15] >> It's really beautiful. [38:16] >> Yeah. [38:17] >> My favorite part of the episode and [38:18] there's a twist coming up is coming up. [38:20] But first, a lot of us want to give [38:21] Saddaka every single day and the [38:24] challenge is not the desire to give, [38:26] it's remembering. And that's what I love [38:28] about Kohl Kabad's Pushka app. It brings [38:30] the mitzvah of daily giving right to [38:32] your phone with a simple reminder that [38:33] helps you build a real habit. You don't [38:35] need to give a huge amount. You can [38:36] start with just $1 a day. Maybe you give [38:38] a million dollar a day, whatever you [38:39] want. The point is consistency. Every [38:41] single day, you're doing something good [38:42] for another Yid and strengthening your [38:44] connection to Saddaka. All the money is [38:46] donated to the most needy people in [38:47] Eras. 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You're also [40:11] entering your shul into a raffle to win [40:13] $1 million that can be used for a naring [40:16] kesh seatra a mikvah renovations or any [40:19] other worthy project. So don't leave it [40:21] for someone else. Take 30 seconds right [40:24] now. Go to ktyt.org [40:26] and accept the cabal. Of course you [40:28] click the link down below. Encourage [40:29] your family and friends to do the same [40:30] and help us reach 1 million commitments. [40:33] Together we can bring more covet to our [40:35] shores, more power to our hearts, [40:36] spilas, and maybe even $1 million to [40:39] your community. Last thing I'm going to [40:41] say before we jump in, I've got two [40:42] trips to Israel coming up in the next 3 [40:44] months, and they're not vacations. We've [40:45] got some really big interviews lined up, [40:47] and I'm so excited to tell you all about [40:48] it. 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Like you know in in you [41:33] know Orthodox Judaism you have to go to [41:35] shul a man has to go to sh three times a [41:37] day. [41:38] >> I'm sure there's a lot of regiments that [41:40] you ingrain from the Marines that it's [41:44] helpful. Uh yes. Uh I would say uh [41:49] it was the sense of grit because I [41:53] remember also uh through my conversion [41:55] process. So mind you I'm in Fort [41:57] Lauderdale. Uh I lived I I moved now but [42:00] I lived on the 17th floor. You have to [42:03] keep Shabbat. Uh can't use elevators. So [42:06] yes 17 flights of stairs. I did that for [42:10] the whole so mind you my my conversion [42:12] was almost two years. And so for two [42:14] years and I was thinking as I was [42:16] walking down I'm like [42:17] >> and I was for a moment I was like I'm [42:19] going to do this for the rest of my [42:20] life. Not the stairs part but uh meaning [42:23] keeping Shabbat meaning uh this this [42:27] life [42:28] >> and for me it was just like taking a [42:31] moment like do I want to do this for the [42:33] rest of my life? Not to say I wouldn't, [42:34] but like I was thinking to myself, okay, [42:37] um no matter what, um if it was if the [42:41] conversion process was going to take me [42:42] 3 years, four years, 7 years, I already [42:45] made the decision at the time. It's [42:46] like, you know what, uh I know this is [42:48] the right path for me and that uh I'm [42:50] going to stick it through. So that's [42:52] like in terms of what transfer over to [42:54] from the Marine Corps to like uh [42:56] Judaism, I would say is the grit because [42:59] being a Jew is not easy. We all know [43:01] this, right? Um, and there's a lot of [43:04] like mitzvot, there's a lot of uh [43:06] expectation. Um, and sometimes some [43:09] people throw it back on our face. Oh, [43:10] you didn't do this or you don't do this [43:12] or you what about this? And so it's like [43:14] um for me it's like okay uh no matter [43:17] what you have to uh be better each day [43:20] and to really just uh um to have that [43:24] commitment because I through my process [43:28] I've had uh interactions with u with [43:31] different types of Jews meaning uh the [43:34] Jews that were Orthodox or from but that [43:37] are no longer uh Orthodox or from and [43:39] they told me their experience in their [43:42] uh story And sometime it um I can [43:45] sympathize with them meaning because [43:48] their connection with Judaism the Kesser [43:51] the connection with Hashem may have not [43:54] been there [43:55] >> being Jewish is having having a [43:56] relationship with Hashem [43:58] >> and I think that's kind of where for me [44:01] I told myself like for my children like [44:04] I definitely want to make sure that they [44:06] have a relationship with Hashem because [44:08] being Jewish is more than just you got [44:10] to go to school three times a day. you [44:12] got to do this, you got to do, you got [44:13] to be sneezed, you got to be the it's [44:14] like it's what's inside. And like I [44:17] remember um going to the ocean um one [44:22] morning early morning um this is during [44:25] the the month of Ilo before uh Rashana [44:30] and I was really thinking to myself like [44:33] God you know you see me like the bait [44:36] told me to go back and like uh study [44:38] more. I'm like okay uh what should I do? [44:40] like I'm already doing all this and I'm [44:44] on the shore and I started like that [44:47] tear up a little bit and uh I closed my [44:51] eyes. I really do believe sometimes um [44:55] you can see more when you close your [44:56] eyes because you really see like your [44:58] soul and at that particular moment um [45:02] through that mist of like this like that [45:04] emotional sense like you doing all this [45:08] you know the uh prayers you're showing [45:11] up but then knowing that if there's nine [45:14] people you walk into a sh they're [45:17] expecting that 10 and they see me like [45:19] ah I can [snorts] see their facial [45:21] expression like I can't be counted yet, [45:23] but like it's still that emotional [45:25] feeling like [45:26] >> you can't be counted as a minion yet. [45:28] And so it's like so um there's nine [45:31] people but or there's 10 people but [45:33] there's nine and then there's one person [45:35] coming one more person coming in that's [45:37] 10 now I'm number 11. So like but never [45:39] really counted as a minion. And so like [45:42] uh that's the feeling I was uh feeling [45:44] and knowing that uh when I went to the [45:47] shore and really cried out to Hashem uh [45:51] that I really felt that he saw me uh for [45:53] some reason and um [45:58] it was like my [46:01] Araham moment [46:03] and I don't know how to explain it and I [46:05] don't know if I was going to share this [46:06] but we know all know like that the kada [46:08] the bing of uh Isaac [46:11] And you know, most people will think to [46:13] themselves, how can you do that? Like [46:14] you're actually going to bind up your [46:15] son. Like to really have that fear in [46:18] God, to have that trust in God. And I [46:21] was like really like I was trusting like [46:22] God. Like I didn't at the time I kind of [46:24] like relin relinquish the the control of [46:28] like I I can the more I know that I'm [46:30] going to pass because like I felt kind [46:32] of defeated almost. And [46:36] at that moment it was like not putting [46:39] anything in anybody's hand. Not even the [46:41] bait dean's hand. It's like I had to [46:44] trust a shim in a way that he sees me. [46:47] >> Not the validation through uh anybody [46:49] else. Uh even through the bait dean or [46:51] the community. uh I had to see who I am [46:55] >> and that I would say was probably [46:57] probably my [46:59] uh challenging moment was [47:02] not seeking validation through others [47:04] but knowing who I am and that's what God [47:06] wants regardless of what what you're [47:08] doing is that God wants to know who you [47:10] are and for you to understand who you [47:12] are and I think that's that connection I [47:15] had uh at the shore uh where uh I felt [47:18] like God saw me it was like it it was a [47:21] varable uh very vulnerable experience [47:24] where to anybody um even people who who [47:29] grew up reformed or conservative and [47:30] wants to be close to Hashem in their own [47:32] journey because like uh your Jewish [47:35] journey is not linear [47:36] >> for those who were uh from orthodox and [47:39] that um are not and maybe to come back [47:42] or or vice versa or you know it just [47:45] everybody has their own journey in terms [47:47] of belonging. [47:49] I'm I don't consider myself a habit or I [47:53] I just know uh these are uh these are [47:57] you know the halakas or whatever but I I [48:00] went beyond just like learning haka [48:02] because that's all I was learning during [48:03] the conversion process was okay what's [48:04] haka what's doing the prayer do this do [48:06] this do this but and for me I kind of [48:09] had to break away from the syllabus that [48:11] the bait break uh gave me it was like [48:13] okay I need to find a relationship with [48:14] because that's how it all started I want [48:16] to have a relationship with Hashem and [48:18] if I had to go through this process in [48:20] order to do that, so be it. And so, um, [48:23] and that's kind of what that aha moment [48:25] was. Uh, and as soon as that moment [48:27] happened, uh, everything changed for me. [48:30] And like, uh, my whole relationship with [48:32] Yiddish and my relationship with, uh, [48:35] you know, with anybody, remember one [48:37] time telling, uh, my shu after sak [48:41] morning service prayer, I was telling [48:43] like, hey guys, um, I just felt like I [48:45] want to share this with you. And it's [48:47] like if you can master yourself, master [48:49] your soul, I feel as if um you can lead [48:54] not only yourself but lead your family, [48:56] lead your community. Because if you [48:57] can't control yourself, uh you can't [48:59] control you can't just you're bellagon [49:02] in a sense of like knowledge that Torah [49:05] is important, but at the same time [49:07] knowing yourself is just as important. [49:10] >> Amen. Okay. Okay. Did not plan this. [49:13] Okay. Um I think it's the first people [49:15] ever to like officially get engaged and [49:17] then come here. So welcome Ellie Shva. [49:19] >> Thank you. [49:20] >> Thanks for being here. And I would love [49:23] to hear from both I guess both your [49:25] perspectives of how you guys met and I'm [49:28] getting married very soon. So it's very [49:29] exciting. Uh but Alva where you're from [49:32] and I guess how you got to here being [49:35] impromptly in [laughter] a interview [49:37] with your cousin. [49:38] >> Yeah. Yeah. No, thank you for having us. [49:40] This is very sweet. Um, originally I'm [49:42] from San Francisco. Uh, but Florida's [49:45] been home. So, I don't even really [49:47] acknowledge that anymore. I just say I'm [49:48] from South Beach. Uh, beautiful [49:51] community. I'm very, very thankful for [49:53] everyone that I have. My rabbi, my [49:54] rabbitson's. Um, I really could not ask [49:57] for a better spot. Um, and I actually [50:00] met Mosha originally through one of our [50:03] mutual friends. It was her birthday. [50:06] >> And, you know, I'm just I'm looking [50:08] around. I'm single. I see this cute guy. [50:10] and we chat for a little bit. I think we [50:12] chat about like Shabbat if I remember [50:13] correctly. [laughter] [50:16] >> Odd things to chat about. Um but uh at [50:19] the time um interesting enough, he [50:22] didn't think I was religious enough for [50:24] him. And then the second time we met, [50:26] yes, I'm calling this out. The second [50:28] time we met, um I didn't think he was [50:31] religious enough for me. Wow. [50:33] >> So, it was a very interesting duo when [50:35] we talk about our Jewish journey and [50:38] where we're from and how we become the [50:42] people we are and the path that Hisra [50:43] has for us. Uh it's it's just it's so [50:47] beyond us, right? Everyone always says [50:50] um you know, we plan God laughs, right? [50:52] And I would say this is definitely one [50:54] of those moments because if you would [50:56] have told me, you know, a year and a [50:58] half, was it a year and a half? a year [50:59] ago um that this random guy that I met [51:03] [laughter] on a mosy Shabbat night was [51:06] going to be the person I intended to [51:08] marry, I probably would have laughed, [51:11] you know, [laughter] [51:12] it wasn't what I expected. Um but I'm [51:15] very thankful for this path. [51:17] >> That's really cool. And it's cool also, [51:18] I think, cuz you guys come from such [51:20] different backgrounds, but it's so cool [51:23] that you like met I don't say in the [51:25] middle, but like where you are right [51:27] now, right? cuz you I'm saying you you [51:29] know didn't grow up you know you grew up [51:31] I don't know if I'm saying it properly [51:33] seventh day [51:34] >> seventh day Adventist [51:35] >> yeah and then like now you're an [51:36] Orthodox Jew and you grew up reformed or [51:39] >> you know and now you're you know [51:41] Orthodox Jew as well and you're both in [51:42] Florida together and just cool how like [51:45] you said Hashem has [51:48] >> a plan and it's it's hard to see I mean [51:50] especially like if I went to your [51:51] younger selves and tell you that you two [51:53] like like what [51:55] >> like it makes zero sense but Now it's [51:57] like it makes the most sense. It's like [51:59] really it's really cool. [52:00] >> Yeah, [52:00] >> it's really cool. Dating Ellie Shva has [52:03] been an opportunity for me to re really [52:06] reflect on my relationship with Hashem [52:08] in a way that um I didn't realize uh it [52:12] could be and um meaning [52:15] our relationship with Hashem is kind of [52:17] like dating in a sense of like we're [52:19] dating for marriage and it's uh I think [52:22] it's appropo that the fact that in a few [52:24] days we're going to have Shabot and I [52:26] know that uh the kind of Omar is to [52:29] reflect on ourselves to prepare oursel [52:32] uh spiritually for Chevot and of course [52:35] like the time back then to receive the [52:38] Torah. So in a sense it was like our uh [52:40] self-reflecting [52:42] uh we're excited for this marriage with [52:44] Hashem and it's kind of like the same [52:46] thing. were dating and but before the [52:50] marriage you still there's a lot of uh [52:52] uh you know process uh like really [52:54] refining yourself who you are and [52:58] what 72 days [53:00] >> 72 days [53:01] >> 72 days not that we're announcing [53:02] anything [laughter] [53:03] >> 72 days that we count but um yeah we're [53:07] waiting for our marriage um under the [53:09] hoopa and it's similar to our marriage [53:13] with Hashem uh at Mount Si and I [53:16] received the Torah. And I I a lot of [53:18] those things I just always reflect on [53:20] like um how either my mannerism uh [53:25] mannerism or a character uh and there's [53:28] some things that you know I you know [53:30] took a step back to really think about [53:33] questions to ask her or to really think [53:35] about how do I approach this? Uh is this [53:37] someone I really want to marry? You [53:39] know, all the things. And so, um, [53:42] knowing all of that and thinking how [53:46] Hashem really came about to choose a [53:48] Jewish people to be his people for a [53:51] purpose, not just like, hey, you're [53:52] chosen, that's you're fine and Danny. [53:54] No, no, is there comes with with [53:55] responsibility, but uh just like our [53:58] marriage is going to be come with [54:00] responsibility. So like in a way um I [54:04] like the fact that uh we've even though [54:06] we've met each other uh last year um [54:09] we've actually started dating uh just in [54:12] time for us to really date within the [54:14] time of uh uh the Omar of Pesak to [54:18] because like I said I was able to see [54:21] some parallel with um my relationship [54:23] with Elishva in the same way or in a [54:26] similar way with uh our relationship [54:28] with Shem. I don't know if you have [54:30] anything to say. Um, that's just how I [54:32] feel. [54:32] >> No, I I think uh one thing that you [54:35] always want to, you know, be with [54:36] someone that has the same values as you, [54:38] right? And uh one of the values that we [54:41] agree on or I guess the the order of [54:43] values I should say we agree on is uh we [54:46] always say first is Hashem, second is [54:49] us, which is the family, and then third [54:50] is our country. [54:52] >> So I really think it's beautiful to be [54:54] able to build a life with someone who [54:56] agrees with those values and sees it as [54:58] such. Um because if you're not putting [55:00] Hashem first, [55:02] you know, [55:03] >> right? That's so well said. And and tell [55:05] me if this is like not normal to say, [55:07] but I think it's okay. But like you are [55:08] I don't often meet like a interracial [55:11] kind of couple, but I feel like you it's [55:13] like so like no shas to you guys. Like [55:15] it's such a Okay, you happen to be black [55:18] and white, but like it's nothing like [55:20] has no role in your relationship. I [55:22] don't know if that makes sense. [55:23] >> No, I think it does. Um, I think [55:26] something that I would just say is like [55:27] we're Jewish, [55:28] >> right? [55:28] >> You know, [55:29] >> like it does like No, it's really like [55:30] in the essence of like what you're [55:31] saying like the whole conversation is [55:33] like this relationship with Hashem. It's [55:35] not about the exterior. It's not about [55:36] like who or what like it's just about do [55:39] I want to connect with Hashem and like [55:40] same thing I think same with a marriage [55:42] like it's just about like who the person [55:44] is and like can I connect with them? So [55:46] it's like you know that message comes [55:48] out throughout. [55:49] >> Yeah. cuz uh for me um as I stated [55:52] before, I wanted my I want my children [55:55] to have a relationship with Hashem. And [55:58] I think uh in a way uh so I'm still less [56:03] than a year in um after my uh [56:05] conversion. So it's like um everything's [56:08] still like newish in a sense. [56:10] >> No, I mean it's going to be your first [56:11] shuis as a you know. Yeah. And so the [56:14] thing is like so we had our first Pesak, [56:16] we uh you know first um Hanukkah [56:19] um all these holidays even though I've [56:22] done it before is like it it has new [56:24] meaning to me cuz now like in a way when [56:27] we were dating uh I'm thinking to myself [56:31] not necessarily like um interraially how [56:33] our children are going to be but it gave [56:35] me an opportunity to think about like [56:38] our family [56:39] >> and um um the thing is like [56:44] I was able to think about Pesak not like [56:48] how it used to. It's okay. You're [56:50] learning the halakas. This is what you [56:51] do. Blah blah blah. I'm thinking now [56:53] about how would this look for my family. [56:56] >> And like of course we've talked about [56:58] this where [57:00] um [57:02] it's more than just like okay um the [57:05] seder order or whatnot. It's about the [57:08] um like the four questions, the children [57:11] asking questions, and then really [57:13] obviously obviously for me um and I [57:16] don't know most people think about this [57:18] when when you mention like interracial [57:20] or um people of different backgrounds is [57:24] how would my children see themselves as [57:27] Jews? [57:28] >> And because I really do think about yes, [57:31] they are going to look different than [57:33] most of uh uh in the Jewish community. [57:35] Now mind you, I do want to take the [57:37] opportunity to say um if you look at J [57:41] Judaism as a whole um it's not based on [57:44] ethnicity. I know that some Jews may [57:46] think of it that way, but when you think [57:48] of uh the Yemenites, the um the Safari, [57:51] the Bkarians, the Syrians or the [57:54] Persians or or the uh people in uh [57:57] Eastern Europe or wherever around the [57:59] world, I think we think of Judaism in [58:03] our own community like birds of the same [58:05] feather that flock together. But [58:07] somebody like myself, I consider myself [58:09] like a social butterfly. So uh you know [58:12] I I'm uh still orthodox but I go to this [58:16] community that community and I can see [58:18] the different nuances. So I can see the [58:20] difference between safaric and [58:21] Ashkanazi. So I can see the difference [58:23] between the different communities. Uh [58:25] but for me um one of the things that I [58:29] say disappoint me but one of the things [58:31] that I are one of the things that I'm [58:34] sensitive to is how we treat each other. [58:38] Because yes, we may have different [58:41] customs, have different perspective and [58:43] different experiences, but when we think [58:46] of Kohi Israel, um matter of fact, um [58:50] we're on our way over here. Um the [58:52] represent her represents brother was [58:54] driving us here and he was sharing a [58:57] story about the boat like if we're all [58:59] on the on the ship together and one [59:01] person is like I'm just drilling a hole [59:03] at the bottom of the ship and another [59:05] person, what are you doing? was like, [59:06] "Don't worry that I'm just doing this in [59:07] in my part of the boat." Like what you [59:09] do is going to also impact me. [59:11] >> And I think that's all how we all should [59:13] look at um uh like each other because [59:17] even though whether it's reform, [59:19] conservative, Orthodox, Mazahi, Satmar, [59:22] uh Tash um it just the thing is how can [59:27] we have peace amongst oursel alone peace [59:31] uh around us because I know what's going [59:32] on around there with anti-semitism. Um [59:35] but you know it's what matters to how we [59:38] treat uh how we treat each other um does [59:41] matter because uh in a way I feel as if [59:45] like the freedom and the redemption and [59:47] everything that we're looking for uh in [59:49] terms of coming of Messiah we have to do [59:51] it ourselves meaning in terms of how we [59:53] treat each other how we uh welcome each [59:55] other and we were just talking about [59:57] this this past Shabbat um you know is or [60:01] which uh Judaism is more welcoming and [60:04] like um for me I would want all Jews to [60:08] feel welcome regardless of where they go [60:10] >> and I think that's important that's what [60:12] uh what we're strive to be because if we [60:14] all say that uh we want Messiah now we [60:18] want uh to have peace in this world with [60:20] people all around us uh our allies or [60:22] whatever the case may be uh we need to [60:25] have peace with ourselves and how we do [60:27] that is how we treat each other we have [60:28] to love each other [60:30] >> beautiful [60:31] >> and you mentioned um you know like [60:32] you're going through each shant each [60:34] holiday with like a new you know like [60:37] okay as a you know full-fledged Orthodox [60:39] Jew but um you know you're about to step [60:41] into each holiday both of you like as a [60:44] new spouse you know so everything is [60:46] different and like it's good it's nice [60:48] it's blending and it's it's really cool [60:50] and uh Maztov and uh thanks again Mosha [60:53] for doing this Elisha thanks for [60:54] stepping in and uh thanks for sharing [60:56] your journey with us [60:57] >> right [60:58] >> thank you for watching the entire [60:59] episode and if you actually did let [61:00] Mosha and Elisha know they actually got [61:02] married this week okay So wish them a [61:04] mazle in the comments whether YouTube [61:06] [music] or Spotify let them know and we [61:08] just wish them tons of braha in their [61:10] new marriage in their new chapter in [61:11] life and it's we're so excited for them. [61:12] I want to give a big thank you to our [61:14] friends at Qualified Protein Powder Bit [61:16] Bean Willis Cole Kabad the [61:18] million-dollar giveaway and of course [61:19] Allah. [music] Now here's my takeaway. [61:22] We have to stop thinking we are the [61:24] author in our book. Yes, we're the main [61:26] character but Hashem is writing the [61:27] story. [music] And the moment we realize [61:29] that he's in control and he is the best [61:32] author, he'll take [music] care of us. [61:34] Moshe was a 7th Day Adventist. He was [61:36] from a different part of America. He was [61:38] in the Marines. Who would have thought [61:40] that he'd end up marrying Elishva, an [61:43] Orthodox Jew from a reformed background? [61:45] But that's just it. We have to always [61:47] remember that we don't know, but Hashem [61:49] knows. And [music] in retrospect, it [61:51] always makes sense. This episode to me [61:53] is a reminder that got to let go and let [61:56] God. Remember, inspiration's everywhere. [62:00] [music] Living
