From Diplomat to Jewish Convert in Israel: The Remarkable Spiritual Journey of Atara Noam

Like thousands of other students from around the world, Isidora Inchausti Santiago, a young woman from Panama, landed in the United Kingdom with the hope of fulfilling a long-standing professional dream. Her goal was to advance in the field of maritime technology — but when she stepped off the plane in Britain, she could not have imagined that her life journey would ultimately lead her into Panama’s diplomatic service, and from there, step by step, toward the Jewish people.

Today, only a few years after completing her conversion to Judaism, the former student and diplomat — now known by her Jewish name, Atara Noam, shares her astonishing life story in a special interview.

“I was born in 1976 in Panama City”

“My father, a Spanish immigrant who arrived in Panama in his early twenties, built himself up there as a successful businessman and owned an aviation company. My mother worked as a flight attendant in the aviation industry for nearly five decades. Although my parents separated when I was young, both of them placed great emphasis on my education and ensured that I received the best schooling available at the time.

“Our home was Catholic, but after my father passed away and my mother later divorced my stepfather, we moved from Catholicism to Protestant Christianity. The Protestant environment was very different and had a strong impact on me — it was then that I first began to believe in the power of prayer and fasting.”

After finishing high school, she chose to study natural physics and mechanical engineering. “I completed a maritime engineering program and received a license as a second deck officer for merchant cargo and cruise ships. I believed I would eventually work in the Panama Canal, the pride of my country.”

A broken engagement

Two major changes soon shifted the course of her life.

“First, my mother opposed my marriage to a young Greek man I was planning to marry. Although it was very difficult, I chose to respect her wishes and cancel the wedding. Looking back, I believe that decision later helped me immensely and granted me special Divine assistance.

“Another turning point was my decision to leave Panama. I wanted to continue my studies in Spain, Greece, or Britain — and eventually I chose the UK. Using my Spanish citizenship, I was able to move there under the Schengen framework, which at that time applied through EU membership. It was one of the greatest challenges of my life.”

She arrived in London on a cold February day in 2008, and quickly discovered that the road ahead would be far harder than expected.

“I almost gave up — then I came across a verse from Psalms”

“The first seven months were extremely difficult,” she recalls. “I prayed constantly, asking God to guide me and help me find stable work in my professional field — but it was almost impossible.”

Unable to find work in maritime engineering, she had no choice but to support herself however she could. She worked at McDonald’s, and later cleaned London’s iconic double-decker buses.

“It was an exhausting period. Sometimes I worked 40–67 hours a week just to cover my expenses.

“At one point I felt I was breaking down. I was ready to return home to Panama, but my mother urged me to hold on a little longer. Sadly, that difficult time also distanced me from God. But then, while scrolling through old text messages, I found one from a friend who had sent me a verse from Psalms: ‘For His anger lasts but a moment; life comes from His favor — weeping may endure through the night, but joy arrives in the morning.’

“I read it simply: the tears may last through the night — but morning brings joy. For me it was a sign of hope, a message that salvation was near, and that I must continue fighting. And so I did.”

A documentary appearance

Soon afterward, she unexpectedly appeared in a BBC documentary about immigration to London, where she spoke about her situation and her search for work in maritime technology.

One of the viewers was Kate Jean, wife of the head of Panama’s Maritime Authority at the Panamanian Embassy in London. A mutual acquaintance connected them, and everything changed.

“ The day after the broadcast I received a surprising phone call inviting me to an interview. I met the embassy staff — and that same day I was hired. It felt like a miracle. The first thing I did was thank God.

“The work was intensive but rewarding, and far easier than my previous jobs. I began as a personal assistant, was promoted within two months, and my salary doubled. Over the next seven years I served under four ambassadors, gained extensive professional experience, and grew tremendously.”

(בתפקידה הימי)

Discovering Judaism

At some point she began researching life after death, and gradually became fascinated with the Book of Daniel and Jewish prophecy.

“Through this study I began to admire the Jewish people and see them as blessed. I even thought that perhaps I should one day marry a Jewish man — not yet to convert, but to connect my life to theirs. I also began keeping Shabbat, not realizing that this is not permitted for non-Jews.”

Her mother — surprisingly, encouraged it as well, after speaking with a Christian acquaintance who admired the Jewish observance of Shabbat.

“One day, boarding a bus on Piccadilly, I found a book left on a seat. I picked it up, and to my amazement, it was about the holiness of Shabbat.”

As she deepened her exploration, she encountered historical sources showing that Sunday observance was introduced by Emperor Constantine in 325 CE — and that prior to that, the day of rest was universally the Sabbath. She also discovered translation inconsistencies in Christian texts.

“All of this raised many doubts in my mind about the accuracy and truth of the Christian tradition I had grown up with.”

At the same time, she discovered the Tikkun HaKlali of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov and began reciting the Psalms daily — experiencing peace and inner emotional relief.

Gradually, she also began refraining from non-kosher food.

(עם נציגת ויצו ביוון)

A new post in Greece — and a stronger Jewish connection

After seven productive years in London, she accepted a position representing the Greek Embassy at the Port of Piraeus — eventually becoming deputy ambassador.

The material situation improved, and so did her spiritual journey.

“In Greece I began attending Chabad events and regularly joined Kabbalat Shabbat for eight years. The Jewish community welcomed me warmly, even though they knew I was not Jewish.”

Eventually she traveled to Uman, to the grave of Rabbi Nachman — and there she understood fully that she wanted to convert.

“After nine days there, my eyes opened to the truth of the Jewish people. Eight years after my spiritual journey began, I knew that Torah and Judaism are the truth, and that I want to belong to this people.”

(ביתה של נועם צופה על החוף היווני, חג החנוכה)

Preparing for conversion — and acts of Providence

A rabbi advised her to move closer to a synagogue in Athens — which required selling her belongings and relocating. She did so without hesitation.

When she found an apartment, she discovered that the owner was Jewish, and miraculously, he agreed to a reduced down-payment that matched exactly what she had.

“I felt Divine Providence guiding every step. I will never forget my first Shabbat in the ‘Beit Shalom’ synagogue — it felt like coming home.”

Determined to convert, she was guided and supported by Rabbi Yehuda Peretz. Standing before the rabbinical court, she burst into tears as she expressed her love for the Jewish people.

Finally came the words she had yearned to hear: “Welcome to the People of Israel — you are now a Jew.”

“I felt transformed — as though a new soul entered me.”

Return to Israel

Soon after, she came to Israel for Passover.

“I spent ten extraordinary days near the Old City of Jerusalem. At the Seder, facing the Western Wall, when everyone sang ‘Next year in the rebuilt Jerusalem’ — I understood that my life’s purpose was no longer wealth, but something far deeper.”

Returning to Greece felt empty. Kosher food was hard to obtain, Shabbat observance was difficult, and life felt spiritually disconnected.

Eventually she decided to leave everything behind and move to Israel. Her colleagues at the embassy were stunned, but she was resolute.

“On September 14, 2023 (28 Elul 5783), I landed in Israel — fulfilling an eight-year dream: to live as a Jewish woman in the Holy Land.”