Drink It In

Season 14 of Drink It In is here — and we’re kicking it off Behind the Pages with a guest who embodies inspiration, tradition, and sparkle.

I sat down with Rebbetzin Rochie Pinson, author of The Rising Life: Challah Baking. Elevated., Rising: The Book of Challah, and The Kids Book of Challah.

From her roots in Vancouver to inspiring Jewish women around the world, Ruchi’s journey with challah is about so much more than baking — it’s about elevating life itself.

In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, we explore:

• The spark that launched Ruchi’s lifelong passion for challah

• How challah connects us to our Jewish identity, community, and spirituality

• The creation of her bestselling cookbooks that empower women and families to bring more meaning into their homes

Get ready for a conversation filled with wisdom, warmth, laughter, and the timeless magic of challah.

Connect with Rochie on Instagram and her website! She is available for booking for challah bakes and presentations as well as speaking engagements for women from all walks of life.

Tune in now to Season 14, Episode 1 of Drink It In: Behind the Pages!

🎙️ Drink It In Season 13, Episode 9: “The Chosen Path”

Get ready to be inspired as Jordana sits down with Jeff Haar, a convert to Judaism, to uncover his extraordinary journey of faith and self-discovery. Growing up in the heartland of the USA as a devout Christian, Jeff’s unwavering desire to “serve G-d no matter what” led him down a path he never imagined.

From studying to become a Lutheran minister to being profoundly moved by two Jewish holidays, Jeff’s spiritual journey is packed with twists, challenges, and revelations. He opens up about questioning his beliefs, embracing Torah and mitzvot, navigating family dynamics, and finding his place in the Jewish community—all while holding onto hope and optimism.

Plus, get a sneak peek at Jeff’s upcoming book, I Didn’t Really Plan to Be Jewish, and discover the transformative power of challenging perspectives in his debut work, Scriptural Dissonance. Jeff’s first book is called Scriptural Dissonance - Challenging Passages in the Gospels and Acts. Both can be found on Amazon books.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about faith, resilience, and the beauty of choosing your own spiritual path. 🎧 Tune in now!

🎙️ Season 13, Episode 8: The Chosen Path 🎶

What does it take to redefine your life, your faith, and your music? Meet @yosefdanielmusic a man whose journey is as inspiring as it is transformative. Born in Mexico, Joseph grew up straddling two worlds—his father’s U.S. Air Force discipline and his mother’s Mexican heritage. But it was a simple gift from his grandfather—a guitar—that ignited his lifelong love for music.

Fast forward to 2010: Joseph, his wife Jezliah (whom you met in Episode 5), and their first son made the life-altering decision to convert to Orthodox Judaism. Now living in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, Joseph is a husband, father of seven, and a trailblazing musician blending Latin rhythms, pop melodies, and rock energy with Jewish spirituality.

In this intimate conversation, Joseph opens up about:

✨ The challenges of growing up amidst cultural divides and personal crises.

✨ The transformative role of music in healing and discovering his identity.

✨ His deep dive into Judaism, from embracing Halakha to navigating the misconceptions about converts.

✨ The emotional journey of his family’s reactions to his conversion and uncovering his Jewish roots.

Joseph’s story is one of resilience, faith, and the power of community. Don’t miss this episode filled with raw emotion, spiritual insight, and the inspiring message that choosing a new path is a courageous act of commitment and love.

🎧 Tune in to “Drink It In: The Chosen Path” now and be inspired by Joseph’s remarkable journey!

Connect with Yosef: @yosefdanielmusic

In this deeply moving episode of Drink It In, Jordana sits down with the inspiring Meorah Ha-Me’ir, who shares her remarkable journey from Christianity to Judaism. Meorah opens up about the challenges of revealing her conversion story, the emotional and spiritual hurdles she overcame, and the transformative path she took to fully embrace her Jewish identity.

With heartfelt candor, Meorah reflects on the pivotal role her family’s unwavering support played in her growth, both spiritually and personally. She unpacks the complexities of navigating life as a convert, offering a raw and inspiring perspective on the triumphs, challenges, and self-discoveries along the way.

Meorah also reveals the profound significance behind her chosen Hebrew name, which beautifully connects her to her heritage and the new chapter of her life.

Beyond her personal story, Meorah shares her passion for inspiring others through her creative work. As a Creative Director, religious entrepreneur, and Executive Vice President of the Jerusalem Great Synagogue, she is making waves in the Jewish world. She’s also the founder of Hameorah Creative, a digital agency committed to uplifting the Jewish community, and the host of @BigJewishIdeas.

🎧 Don’t miss this powerful exploration of faith, transformation, and the courage it takes to embrace a new identity. Tune in now and hear Meorah’s incredible story of resilience and renewal!

Follow Meorah on Instagram, YouTube, and more.

#DrinkItInPodcast #TheChosenPath #JewishJourney #ConversionStory #Faith #Transformation #BigJewishIdeas #Hameorah

✨ From South Africa to the Hills of Judea ✨

In this episode of Drink It In: The Chosen Path, we dive into the incredible journey of Ronel Barak—@cafe_ronel a wife, mother, grandmother, and convert to Judaism who now calls the breathtaking hills of Judea home. 🌄

Ronel shares her story of transformation, from growing up in a traditional Christian home in South Africa to discovering a deep connection with Hashem that led her to embrace Judaism. Together with her husband, she runs a boutique restaurant and shop, creating spaces of joy, unity, and celebration. 🍷🍴

Through struggles, miracles, and moments of clarity, Ronel found her chosen path. Tune in for a conversation about faith, identity, and the beauty of being part of the Jewish people. 🕊️

🎧 Listen now on Drink It In: The Chosen Path—link in bio! #JewishJourney #ConversionToJudaism #FaithAndIdentity #DrinkItInPodcast

Connect with Ronel:

Facebook

Instagram

🎙️ Drink It In: The Chosen Path – Season 13, Episode 5

This week, Jordana sits down with Jezliah, a woman whose life took an extraordinary turn from a Christian Sabbath-observant family in Texas to a family fully embracing Judaism. What began in a so called “boring” religious home turned into a transformative journey when her mother’s curiosity about Judaism sparked a life-changing decision. Even her father, a pastor, left the church to follow this new path.

Discover how a warm Chabad community helped Jezliah navigate her new identity, how making Aliyah deepened her family’s connection to Judaism, and how Shabbat and the Jewish holidays have become their most treasured moments of joy and meaning.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to follow your heart, the strength of community, and the beauty of discovering your spiritual home.

✨ Tune in for an inspiring story of faith, family, and finding your true self!

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Jezliah (also known as Jezliah Villarreal) is a Singer/Songwriter/Choreographer and Performer. Jezliah was born into a Christian family where her father was the Pastor of a Spanish speaking church and where her whole family was heavily involved in the ministry. She has been performing since the young age of eight and dreamed of pursuing a career in missionary and outreach through the performing arts. In 2006, Jezliah and her family left the church in search for truth in Judaism. She and her husband converted in 2010 and made aliyah. Since then, Jezliah has been involved in her community and is the Co-Founding Creative Director of the world-renowned RBS Dance and Music Academy in Ramat Beit Shemesh, up until the summer of 2019. She has performed all over Israel, and produced shows for women. Her story and journey to Judaism has inspired women and girls from all hashkafas. Jezliah currently lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, with her husband, Yosef Daniel, who is also an established Singer and Musician, and her seven children. She has recently pursued a singing career in the growing industry of Female Jewish Entertainment and has released her own original music which can be found on all digital platforms. Jezliah aspires to be a vessel for Hashem to inspire women and girls all over the world. To learn more about Jezliah's journey, click on the links below.

Kan 11 Interview

Hidabroot

Aish

Jewish Press

Spotify

Instagram

Youtube

🎙️ Drink It In: Season 13, Episode 4 – The Chosen Path

This week, Jordana sits down with Tehila Bollag, a remarkable woman whose journey to Judaism began with a life-changing Purim party. Born in Warsaw and raised in Chicago, Tehila’s curiosity sparked a transformation that led her to embrace a new faith and a new life.

Tehila opens up about the challenges and joys of converting to Judaism, the unwavering support of her loved ones, and the profound impact of finding her place in the Jewish community. From the beauty of Jewish holidays to her dreams for the future, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of identity, courage, and belonging.

🌟 Don’t miss this inspiring story of discovery, resilience, and faith. Tune in now!

Check out Tehilla on Instagram!

In this episode, Jordana interviews the one and only Jewish pop sensation - Nissim Black. Nissim is popularly known for his songs such as Hashem Melech, Adored, and Fly Away. Though, he is also prominently known as a convert to Judaism. During this conversation, Nissim explores his spiritual journey from Islam to Christianity and ultimately to Orthodox Judaism. Nissim shares his early influences, the challenges, and the unexpected love and acceptance he found within the Jewish community during his conversion. He reflects on the impact of his conversion on his family and the unique experiences of raising children in a Jewish household in Israel. Nissim also reflects on his personal mission to spread awareness of Hashem and the power of his ‘voice’ in expressing his faith.

Nissim Black is an American-Israeli Rapper, Singer, and influencer who is taking the world by storm. Growing up in the inner city of Seattle, Nissim Black saw firsthand the struggles and challenges of poverty and gang violence. But he didn't let that define him. Instead, he embraced his passion for music and used it as a vehicle to spread positivity and increase awareness of God through mainstream mediums. With a musical style that ranges from Rap to Pop, Nissim Black's unique sound has captured the hearts and minds of fans all around the world. On his YouTube channel alone, he's garnered more than 27.5-Million views worldwide. In addition to his musical talents, Nissim’s incredible story is currently being made into a comedy-drama series on HBO.

In this heartfelt episode of Drink It In, Jordana sits down with Nomi Spain-Levy, a board-certified clinical nutritionist. Nomi, a convert to Judaism, shares her deeply personal journey, starting from her childhood in foster care and adoption, to her path of discovering and ultimately embracing Judaism. She reflects on the challenges and joys she experienced while going through the conversion process including the emotional significance of the milestones that took place along her path. She also speaks a lot about her journey of finding acceptance within the Jewish community as a convert. Nomi also opens up about the complexities of balancing her new Jewish identity with the ties to her past, highlighting the importance of honoring both. Finally, Nomi reflects on the power of aesthetics in her life, and how art and beauty have become important aspects of her spiritual connection and sense of purpose.

Tune in to this rich and insightful conversation about the challenges, triumphs, and deep personal growth that come with converting to Judaism and the importance of community, family, and identity along the way.

Website: [email protected]

Instagram: @nomiknowsnutrition

WhatsApp: +19179246318

In this heartfelt and inspiring first episode of season 13 of Drink It In The Podcast, Jordana sits down with Kylie Ora Lobell, a passionate convert to Judaism, to hear her incredible story of faith, transformation, and belonging. Raised in a secular Christian home, Kylie opens up about her struggles with identity and spirituality—until she discovered the Jewish community. She reflects on the emotional and spiritual challenges of her conversion journey, the power of Mikvah, and the deep connection she’s forged with Jewish rituals and traditions.

Kylie shares the profound joy she’s found in Jewish practices, from the warmth of Shabbat to the uplifting celebrations of the holidays. But this conversation isn’t just about her personal journey—it’s a conversation about the richness of Jewish life, the beauty of embracing diversity within the Jewish community, and the importance of gratitude and family.

Kylie also discusses the role of names in shaping Jewish identity, the impact of community support in her conversion, and the often-overlooked experiences of converts. She opens up about the misconceptions people may have about those who choose to embrace Judaism, and the power of communal rituals—especially the deep, sensory experiences that make Jewish life so unique.

Tune in for a moving, authentic conversation that not only explores the joys and challenges of conversion but also highlights what it truly means to be a part of the Jewish people. Whether you're a born Jew or a convert, this episode is a beautiful reminder of the power of community, tradition, and faith.

About Kylie:

Kylie Ora Lobell is president of KOL Digital Marketing, a marketing and PR company for Jewish businesses, organizations, authors, and influencers. She is also an award winning writer who has been published in the LA Times, New York Magazine, Washington Post, and Jewish Journal of LA. She can be found on X (https://x.com/kylieoralobell), Instagram (instagram.com/kylieorawriter), and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylieoralobell).