From Priest to Jew: A Journey of Faith and Truth

Thirty-three years ago, Ole Brunel’s life seemed secure and set. At just 26, he was ordained as a Lutheran minister and went on to serve his Finnish church for 12 years. Respected and admired by his community, he was seen as a role model and spiritual leader. But then the doubts began. He noticed contradictions between the words of the Bible and the teachings of the church. Over time, he realized that the faith he was preaching no longer felt true. He and his wife began searching for answers and slowly discovered that the truth they were seeking was in Judaism.

“The differences between the Bible and what the church taught became harder and harder to ignore,” Shlomo recalls, describing the long process of seeking clarity. “The big questions about Hashem and about life began to stir our doubts. The Bible teaches about the oneness of God, while Christianity speaks of three. The Bible commands us to keep Shabbat, the seventh day, while Christians celebrate on Sunday. The Bible teaches about keeping kosher, but in Christianity, eating blood is allowed and dietary laws are dismissed. All of this troubled us deeply.”

Eventually, the disconnect became too great to bear.

"You Are a Heretic, Leave"

When he finally approached the bishop with his concerns, he was told to remain silent. “Keep your doubts to yourself,” the bishop advised. But Shlomo couldn’t do that. He went before the church council and publicly announced that he no longer believed in Christianity and was stepping down from his position. The reaction was harsh and immediate. “The bishop refused to speak to me at all. He looked me in the eyes and said, ‘You are a heretic. I ask you to leave.’ From that moment, I was no longer a priest.”

Now known as Shlomo Brunel, age 59, he reflects on his long journey of spiritual awakening. “I’ve always believed in the G-d of Israel,” he says. He tells his story in a book he wrote called Strangers No More, which received high praise when it was published seven years ago. When asked what specific moment sparked the change, he replies, “I wish there had been one moment, it would be easier to explain. But really, it was a slow and painful realization that we were simply in the wrong place.”

Shlomo draws strength and identification from the story of Avraham Avinu (Abraham) in the Torah. “Abraham had ten tests, and we were never promised an easy path either. We had to leave everything, our family, our homeland, our religion, our profession, our culture, our language and start over from scratch in a foreign land. But we did it.”

Thankfully, Shlomo wasn’t alone in this journey. Although his family and community were upset and angry with his decision, inside his own home he had full support. “My wife and I walked this road together, every step of the way,” he shares. Their four daughters, all teenagers at the time, heard their parents’ discussions and chose to follow them with full hearts. “That age is not easy for such big changes,” he adds, “but baruch Hashem (thank G-d), they did it.”

Aliyah, a Jewish Wedding, and a New Beginning

In 1996, the Brunel family made aliyah to Israel. After 25 years of marriage, Shlomo and Ruth had a second wedding and this time under a chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy), according to halacha (Jewish law). They described it as a moment of "true joy." After spending time in an absorption center for new immigrants, they moved to Ra’anana, and later to Kfar Yabetz to experience life on a moshav. Two and a half years ago, they fulfilled their dream of moving to Jerusalem.

Shlomo worked hard to support his family with dignity. “When we lived in Ra’anana, I worked for years as a project manager in a furniture company,” he says. “Now in Jerusalem, I manage a small hotel and also do home renovations and painting.” He laughs and adds, “It’s a pretty big change from my past life.”

The Soul Garden and a New Mission

Adjusting to life in Israel wasn’t easy. “The Finnish personality is calmer,” Shlomo says. But despite the challenges, he embraced his new path. Two years ago, the Brunels’ former community in Ra’anana, “Kinnor David,” celebrated its 13th anniversary. As part of the celebration, men who had never had a Bar Mitzvah were invited to have an aliyah (being called up to the Torah). Shlomo was moved by the invitation and came back to Ra’anana to take part.

Since leaving Finland, he has only returned once. His wife Ruth has not returned at all and has no desire to. When asked if he has any regrets, Shlomo answers, “I usually look ahead, not behind. So I wouldn’t say I have regrets. My only longing is to study more Torah. That’s always been my dream, but needing to work has made that difficult.”

Today, Shlomo and Ruth are proud parents and grandparents. “Hashem has blessed us with five wonderful grandchildren,” he says. “That’s our greatest blessing, to see Jewish grandchildren born from this journey.”

But he hasn’t forgotten how hard the journey was. That’s why he and Ruth now dedicate their time to helping others. They open their home to English-speaking religious singles in their 30s, helping them meet their future spouses. They even created a website called The Jerusalem Soul Garden, where young people can connect and build Jewish homes. “We love seeing our garden full of hopeful, sincere young people taking steps toward building a life of Torah and family,” Shlomo says.

Looking Forward with Gratitude

What are Shlomo’s dreams for the future?

“Becoming Jewish and living in the holy city of Jerusalem, that’s already a dream come true. So many of our personal hopes have been fulfilled. I’m simply grateful for all the good Hashem has given us. On a national level, I share the ancient Jewish hope for the coming of the redemption and the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple), may it be speedily in our days.”

He adds, “I hope our religious brothers in other countries realize the importance of making aliyah to Israel. And I pray that those who feel distant from faith will come closer. We have a Father in Heaven. There is nothing more precious in life than being Jewish. Our connection to Torah and mitzvot isn’t just something on the outside, it defines who we are on the inside.”