From Secular Life in Tel Aviv to a Spiritual Journey: Rebbetzin Sarit Gez's Inspiring Path

"Even today, every time Shabbat begins, I remember those first Sabbaths I started observing, and I am overwhelmed with emotion," says Rebbetzin Sarit Gez, an emotional therapist involved in community outreach and organizing women's conferences and challah baking events. "In those days, I lived in an apartment in Tel Aviv, the only one observing Shabbat amid smokers and TV watchers. Suddenly, on a Friday afternoon, I would drop everything, sit in a corner of the kitchen, light candles, and sanctify the wine... it seemed surreal to everyone, including myself."

Rebbetzin Gez pauses for a moment. Now, having been part of the spiritual outreach world for decades, she acknowledges her story is unique. "There wasn't a usual process here; I feel as if Hashem Himself accompanied me. There is no other explanation," she says.

Step by Step

When asked to pinpoint the first moments of her spiritual journey, Rebbetzin Gez identifies them at a very young age. "I was born into a good Moroccan family; we lacked nothing and enjoyed all the pleasures of Tel Aviv. Nevertheless, I always felt something was missing inside, a restlessness that began early on.

"Something inside me cried out, and I was never satisfied with what I had as a child. The mixed messages at home also confused me – with my father making kiddush on the one hand but also breaking Shabbat observance, as our tradition was mainly external and didn’t truly affect inner spirituality.

"As I grew, I realized this wasn’t the path for me, but I couldn’t imagine another way – 'What? Become one of those religious women with wigs and black stockings?' I was repulsed by the idea."

Her transformation began gradually. "It started when my grandfather passed away," she shares. "For the first time, concrete questions surfaced within me: 'Why do we exist in this world, and what is the purpose of life if it ultimately ends?' These questions didn't lead to practical conclusions, but they shook me and initiated a search. Meanwhile, I served three years in the army and simultaneously searched for myself across various fields. Among other things, I was recommended for the beauty queen contest four times, and during one attempt, I attended auditions but was appalled by the immodesty and superficiality. I felt dizzy and out of place.

"Ultimately, I returned to faith after soul-searching," she clarifies. "I wasn’t naive, and day by day, looking deeper, I saw emptiness. Answers appeared on their own. I remember coming back from Friday night outings, sitting on the bed, crying while speaking to Hashem and asking: 'Master of the Universe, why am I here?' I would cast questions into the air without receiving answers but with an understanding they existed and needed to be found."

In her mid-twenties, she began observing the commandments – step by step. "I knew modesty was a great challenge for me, so I deliberately didn't start there," explains Rebbetzin Gez. "I began with observing Shabbat, which for me was something awe-inspiring – filled with peace and purity. A true blessing. The issue was no rabbi guided me, so I decided to create an atmosphere for myself. Even though I lived in a Tel Aviv home with people smoking and watching TV on Shabbat, I wanted to keep Shabbat, and it mattered to me! So, I made myself a small corner where I would recite kiddush and have a meal.

One of the most touching memories was on Shabbat Shuva. "It was the first time I went to synagogue on Shabbat," she recalls. "I wore my mother's skirt and my brother's T-shirt – just to be modest, mimicking everyone around me – when they stood up to pray, I also stood, and when they reached Shemoneh Esrei, I copied every move. I prayed every word: 'Mashiv HaRuach' and also 'Morid HaTal', prayers for Shabbat and the three festivals, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur. I understood they weren't all meant for one prayer, but I felt Shabbat Shuva, where we repent for the year, was fitting for all-year prayers. Now I am sure the Creator enjoyed that prayer."

Just to Give Thanks

Small progress continued with significant strengthening in other areas: kashrut, separating meat and dairy, prayers, and more, all uplifting her. "Eventually, I also reached modesty," notes the Rebbetzin, "by then, I was ready, and it was less challenging. By the way, this is the advice I give to other women today – 'The hardest thing for a woman is modesty. Don't try to strengthen it first; progress step by step in easier areas, and you'll gradually come closer.'

"What strengthened me most was during my return, I received answers from within my body and soul, exactly as written 'from my flesh I shall see Hashem'. After keeping Shabbat, I felt delight; after embracing modesty, I felt protected. I felt each mitzvah brought divine approval.

"Eventually, after becoming more observant, I met my husband – Rabbi Rami Gez, also a returnee who went through a similar process. He, too, came back to faith independently, through flashes of holiness and a process beyond him. Today he's a marriage counselor and a renowned lecturer on rapprochement."

And how did your family react to your transformation?

"Truthfully, it was difficult for my parents, and at the start of my spiritual journey, my father said: 'Just don't end up having a separate wedding party.' In the end, the wedding was indeed separate, strictly Orthodox, but my father was so joyful and danced nonstop. In his role as a bank manager meeting high-ranking individuals, those days he told me it was the first time he felt a direct connection to spirituality and true Jewish joy."

About 30 years have passed since then, and Rebbetzin Gez wishes to highlight what she also shares in her community strengthening evenings: "Sometimes we feel 'we've done something for Hashem, so now everything in our lives should be good,' but the truth is, it doesn't work that way. In my case, trials never ceased for a moment. After the wedding, we had a sweet baby girl, but then a stillbirth in the ninth month, a deep disappointment. We also experienced other challenges over the years, but as time passed, I learned not to pity myself, not to victimize, to understand that Hashem doesn't owe me anything, and I need only to give thanks. Blessed be Hashem, alongside the difficulties, we received many gifts from the Creator, including the birth of twins following that stillbirth, and altogether we are parents to six amazing children.

"Both my husband and I are privileged to help couples in marital crises – he as a marriage counselor and I as an emotional therapist using the CBT method. I also release daily motivational videos and, in another role, guide brides and host large challah baking gatherings. I'm blessed that women who are often distant from Judaism attend my events, yet their hearts ignite, and it often happens they later continue to attend Torah lessons. Every time I tell them: 'I didn't come to make you return to faith, not even to teach Torah, only to provide tools for a proper perspective on life, and this is the absolute truth.'"