From Istanbul to Judaism: "I Gave Up Everything to Join the Jewish People"

When you meet Leah Gul and her four children in the German Colony neighborhood of Jerusalem, they appear like any other Orthodox family, sending their children to religious schools. Nothing on the outside hints that just two decades ago, Leah was living in Istanbul, Turkey, with her wealthy Muslim family.

Leah's story is miraculous and it's hard to pick what is most awe-inspiring—the transformative journey she underwent, the successful family she is raising, or perhaps the paintings that accompany our conversation. Leah is also a talented artist, documenting her entire life in color and brush strokes.

"Hashem Looked After Me"

"I was born into a wealthy, secular Muslim family in Istanbul," Leah starts her story. "My life was very comfortable and predictable. My parents expected me to study business administration after high school to join the family business. But the big turn came during my university entrance exams. To this day, I can't explain it, but I suddenly felt weak during the test. I couldn't think or write and just left the room. Looking back now, I realize that this event completely changed my life's path. I'm so grateful I didn't study business at that university and that Hashem guided me on a completely different life path."

At the time, however, it seemed like a disaster to Leah. "My parents were shocked that I failed the exam," she recounts. "They tried every way to get me a retake, even reaching out to high officials at the university. Despite their efforts, they were told the rules were firm: I had to wait a whole year.

"The disappointment was huge, but I knew I had to be optimistic and see this year as an opportunity to develop myself in new ways. I began intensive art studies, which gave me great professional skills. By the end of that year, I was already a sought-after artist with a prestigious studio exhibiting my works and teaching other students."

A Miracle of Salvation

Success shone on Leah, and she continued to weave plans and proceed with her endeavors until a terrible car accident cut all her dreams short.

"It was late at night, and I was on my way to the grand opening of a big exhibition I organized," she tells. "Suddenly, a huge truck appeared on the road and crushed the small sports car I was driving. It was a horrifying experience; I was so close to death. But the great miracle is that, despite the severe crash, I came out without a scratch. It's an absolute miracle, with no logical explanation."

Leah wasn’t even taken to the hospital—it seemed she could carry on with life as usual. "But nothing continued as it once was," she explains. "Suddenly, something in my thoughts changed. Everything that seemed so important before now looked materialistic and insignificant. I realized that everything could be taken away in an instant. So, what’s the point of material things? Following the accident, I began to ask myself deep existential questions: 'Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? What really matters to me?' I started researching and reading philosophical and spiritual books, hoping to find answers. I felt an intense need to connect with something greater, to understand the meaning of existence. The accident didn’t just change my external life but also transformed me into a different person—someone searching for deeper life's meaning."

And did you find answers?

"Unfortunately, no. Despite reading many books, I didn't encounter real answers. Then I made a resolution to move to India in search of the answers I sought. Understanding that there were many sects and beliefs there, I thought maybe in India, I’d find what I was looking for."

Leah mentions that before traveling, she approached her parents to seek their permission. "My mother always considered herself secular, but when she realized I was searching for myself, she had one request: ‘Before you travel, read three books—about Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. If you find no answers, you have my blessing to go.’ So, I closed my studio for a week and dedicated my time to reading those books. When I read the Quran, I was shocked by its cruelty. Reading the New Testament raised too many confusing questions for me. The Bible, translated into English, wasn't entirely clear to me, but I felt compassion between the words. It helped me realize that there was nothing I needed to search for in distant India."

Leah canceled her trip to India and instead decided to fly to Amsterdam. During her visit, she toured the Anne Frank House, and it struck her with an overwhelming desire to convert. "I remember standing by the visitor's book, almost breathless with excitement. At that moment, it became clear that I wanted to tie my life to the Jewish people—a nation always persecuted and hated, yet I wanted to become part of it. I took a pen and wrote in the guestbook: 'I want to convert' and signed my name."

A Life of Faith

Returning to Turkey, Leah was already a different person. She spent a week in her studio, painting non-stop. Some of the paintings she created from her heart and thoughts are currently displayed in an exhibition in the country. She then reached out to the Jewish community in Istanbul, starting the process of conversion.

"Nothing was easy or quick," Leah states. "My conversion process took more than three years, during which I studied Torah classes online and then flew to Atlanta, where I lived with an Orthodox family who introduced me to the concepts of Torah and mitzvot. Ultimately, nineteen years ago, I completed a proper conversion and joined the Jewish nation."

Upon returning to Turkey, Leah married a man from the Jewish community in Istanbul. Their wedding was an exceptional event described by many as 'surreal.' It took place in one of Istanbul's most luxurious venues, with both Jewish and Muslim guests. Leah notes that significant sums and efforts were invested to create an experience catering to all guests.

After their wedding, the young couple flew to the USA, where they deepened their connection to Judaism—Leah attending Jewish classes and her husband becoming a regular at the local synagogue. They then returned to Istanbul, becoming part of the Jewish community. Within a few short years, they had four children—two sons and two daughters.

But Leah soon realized that Istanbul wasn’t the right place to raise her children in the way of Torah and mitzvot. "I saw the great assimilation within the Jewish community and understood the only way to truly keep my children was to move to Israel," she explains. "It wasn't easy; I had to give up my studio, source of income, and all the respect my family enjoyed. We left everything and moved to Israel."

When the agency asked Leah where she wanted to live, she unhesitatingly chose Jerusalem. For the past three years, she has lived in the holy city, sending her children to Orthodox institutions. She says she discovers a new facet of her art every day. "Since we came to Israel, I've had special inspiration," she shares. "I paint a lot, and feel my artworks are full of emotion and uniqueness. They truly express what's inside my heart."