From High-Tech Executive to Spiritual Journey: A Story of Transformation

When Anat Ben Ari was just 12 years old, she began a peculiar habit unknown to those around her, without even knowing why. "I had a little corner by the window that was 'just mine,' where every morning I would say the morning blessings. To this day, I have no idea how I got that booklet from which I used to read the blessings," she recalls with emotion. "It's an incredible thing and a mighty wonder. No one asked me to do it or explained the importance of the mitzvah, yet still, I recited them with devotion."

Ben Ari was born and raised in a secular home with no connection to Judaism. She completed her high school education at the 'ORT' school in Ramat Gan and immediately enlisted in the army. Even then, she felt the need to harness her skills and talents for the benefit of others. In the army, she served as a researcher of service conditions. Her role sometimes required her to conduct home visits in various areas, even those remote and far from Jerusalem. "I don't know how I had the courage back then," she recalls, "to venture alone into these remote places—a young soldier walking around solo with an Uzi without a magazine slung over my shoulder—while determinedly trudging to help solitary soldiers or families who needed financial support from the army."

"My Soul Was Personally Invited by the Rabbi"

One day, she was given the task of handling the case of a soldier requesting exemption from reserve duty—a request requiring a thorough review of various parameters, including the soldier's socioeconomic status. As usual, Ben Ari went alone to the address listed in the soldier's file. To her amazement, she found that this address was none other than the humble abode of the famous Kabbalist Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi, of blessed memory, whose personal assistant was the soldier in question.

Tell us about your experience at the rabbi's house—what did you see and how did you feel?

"Wow... First of all, the one thing I couldn't miss was the modest house and its yard, which extended to accommodate an almost endless human queue waiting for the rabbi," describes Ben Ari with excitement. "People of all ages huddled in the small yard, patiently awaiting their turn for advice and blessings from the holy rabbi. The initial feeling I had was one of inexplicable connection to the holiness and power that pervaded the place. I later learned that the rabbi and his wife had no children, and that the man who submitted the request was caring for them around-the-clock without expecting anything in return. At first, I came only to verify the soldier's details and fulfil my duties. But after just two visits, I found myself returning to the rabbi's house on my own—even outside of work duties. From today's perspective, it feels like my soul received a personal invitation from the rabbi to visit each time."

Within the modest walls of the Jerusalem rabbi's house—a place soaked with endless prayers and tears—the realization of an entirely different world slowly took hold in her heart and soul. Ben Ari started visiting the rabbi's house regularly, guided by the paths leading to the small house with the ever-growing line at its door. "Each time I sat at the rabbi's house next to his assistant, hearing stories of the rabbi's miracles—I was moved and teary," says Ben Ari. "The halo and purity surrounding the rabbi, his luminous face radiating purity and serene love—it's a scene I will never forget. Today, I think the rabbi's blessings and intentions led me to engage in the vital mitzvah of challah separation, a commandment I was unaware of until later in life."

"Even a High-Tech Executive Can Cry"

While the experience at the rabbi's house stayed with Ben Ari, it didn't immediately bring her closer to Judaism. After her military service, she enrolled in the Israeli College of Natural Medicine, completing four years of alternative medicine studies successfully. Furthermore, as an inquisitive and thoughtful person, Ben Ari engaged in numerous courses and workshops on self-awareness and empowerment. These workshops didn't just connect her more deeply with herself and her life's purpose but also ingrained in her the significant insight—not to give up, in the positive sense of the word. "From everything I've learned in life," Ben Ari states, "I understood that if there's something I connect with, with all my 'heart and soul,' I mustn’t give it up. If I have a desire to know and expand my horizons in a certain area—it's in my nature to pursue it until I achieve it. Every personal achievement has come from this sense of determination, and I now lovingly share my successes with women attending 'Evenings of Salvation,' which are my challah-baking ceremonies."

After completing her studies at college, Ben Ari started a family and is now a mother to two wonderful daughters and three granddaughters who are 'the light of her life and soul,' as she defines it. In time, she surprisingly turned to a less expected direction—the world of high-tech, where she worked as a project and procurement manager for a full 11 years. "Working in high-tech is demanding and challenging; there's no such thing as leaving work behind once you get home," Ben Ari explains. "Especially in my role—where the slightest mistake could cause irreparable damage to an entire project, involving substantial money. Therefore, while daily issues persisted, over time, one learns to enjoy it as well."

"Despite being a very sensitive person, I can also say there's a rational side to me that functions well under stress and strict deadlines. That side likely helped me survive in the competitive high-tech world—although I unashamedly admit that emotions have at times overwhelmed reason, with tears breaking through the serious and restrained facade I adopted. After all, even a high-tech executive can cry, right?"

When did you start to truly change—what led you to actively observe Torah and mitzvot?

"My spiritual strengthening began about 14 years ago," she smiles, recounting with sparkling eyes, "It was when a colleague at work began his own return to faith and persistently shared drops of belief with me each day. Like a drop of water carving a stone, it's not about the strength of the drop, but its persistence—and he was definitely persistent. Thanks to him, over time, I attended a seminar on Jewish awareness by the 'Values' organization, and other Shabbat retreats of various organizations, each contributing differently and helping me see the beauty, truth, and wisdom in Judaism."

International Tours of Challah Baking Nights

"My actual increase in observance began shortly before attending the seminar. One day, I had a very powerful experience that left a strong impression on me. At the time, I was entirely secular, and I stood on my balcony, speaking to Hashem. I promised Him that a day would come when I would tell my story of returning to Judaism at the Yad Eliyahu stadium. I have no idea where it came from or how I dared to make such a statement—but that secret between me and the Holy One was what empowered me to change."

From that moment, Ben Ari quickly gravitated towards Judaism: by the next day, she arrived at work dressed modestly from head to toe, including a head covering(!). According to her, the reactions were swift. "Back then, returning to faith was less common—or accepted," Ben Ari recalls, "and therefore, I had to endure many challenges and insults. Most of the time, I accepted these trials with understanding and love, but there's no doubt there were also many moments of breaking along the way."

Ben Ari's involvement with Hidabroot began about two years ago, when Dikla Partush, a Hidabroot activist, attended one of the challah-baking ceremonies she had been conducting for years. Partush was captivated by her captivating presentation and requested an interview for a feature on the Hidabroot channel. "Dear Dikla attended another event of mine, which took place at the Global Challah Baking Event in 2012, a glorious gathering of 600 women from all over the country. That's how I got to know the incredible work of Hidabroot in bringing hearts together and spreading Jewish content—all for the sake of Heaven, with enormous devotion by all involved. I quickly realized the great privilege I had in becoming an integral part of this essential organization, and thank God, the rest is history."

Since then, Ben Ari has been collaborating with Hidabroot in hosting unique challah-baking evenings in Israel and worldwide—powerful events that have already made significant "noise" above and provided thousands of women with the blessings they needed—children, matches, complete healing, a peaceful home, good livelihood, and more. Ben Ari also leads unique workshops on positive thinking and releasing negative emotions, called "Levan," incorporating various techniques from the fields of psychology and personal empowerment.

Contact for Workshops and Challah Baking Events: Phone 073-2221290, Email aviva@htv.co.il