Druze Woman Who Converted: I Am a Jewish Daughter of the King

"I am Jewish, I am a daughter of the King," says S' with pride mixed with excitement. "After I immersed in the mikvah, I felt the holiness and purity. It's different," she shares about her amazing story. S' is a Druze woman from northern Israel who chose to join the Jewish people and completed her conversion process recently. "Since then, I'm a different woman, much stronger and more powerful," she says, trying to explain the difference between the pre-conversion S' and post-conversion S'. 

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In her modest home, two candlesticks are set on the table. They've been there even before S' completed her conversion process. "I love lighting Shabbat candles," she says while arranging the candlesticks. "My kitchen is also completely kosher," she says. "Now, before Chanukah, I'm already preparing for candle lighting and making donuts, even though I make sfenj, which turns out really tasty."  

Praying to Hashem (Illustration: shutterstock)

S', a young woman in her 30s, completed the conversion process a few months ago, which she started about five years ago. Since then, she behaves and lives fully as a Jew. "I observe the commandments, and I keep six hours between meat and milk — so of course I'm Jewish, right?" she says semi-questioningly, more like a statement. When asked why she doesn't reveal her identity, she immediately explains she prefers to maintain privacy about her identity because her Druze family knows nothing about the process she underwent. "I don't want to hurt my mother. After all, she raised me, and it might be hard for her to accept."

So what leads a woman, who seemingly has it all, to rise and leave her religion, her customs, her lifestyle, and her family? According to S', she always felt somewhat different, especially when living among her family and acquaintances. After she grew up and became independent, she left her birthplace in the Golan Heights area and moved to a village in northern Israel. Her contact with Jews and city life almost naturally led to her decision to convert. She began a process that lasted several years, and finally, she received the much-awaited approval — behold, you have officially joined Hashem's army.   

You had it all — what made you take such a step?

"I don't connect with anything related to Arab mentality," she says honestly. "As for the Druze, I respect my community but admit that Judaism was the religion that always attracted me. In Judaism, everything is valued. And how do I know this? Because everything that one wants, prayers are offered. There's no such thing as without prayer. One must conclude that Judaism is the true religion. There's a holy Shabbat and wonderful holidays. Now, I'm preparing for Chanukah and the donuts. I'm also very connected to Shabbat."

What does your Shabbat look like?

"First of all, Shabbat is a day of rest, a day when there's no work, and the house has a pleasant smell from the food I prepare. Naturally, I prepare the Shabbat table, and we do Kiddush, and the whole family is united. I light Shabbat candles and pray at that moment — afterwards, everything goes well for me. In truth, I started persuading my Jewish friends to start keeping Shabbat and lighting candles. I don't understand how they miss out on this mitzvah."

Five years before Shabbat candles lit her home and challahs adorned her table, S' was a young Druze woman who decided one clear day to fulfill her dream — to be Jewish. "The conversion process was very beautiful," she recalls. "The rabbis saw that I cared. They always asked questions and wanted to see if I was genuine. They asked, for example, what blessings I recite and which commandments I know and observe. I answered them, and they saw my seriousness. Some people got discouraged by the process, maybe because they feel the difficulty, but I went all the way, didn't give up. I understood they wanted to see how much I really wanted to be Jewish. At the end of the process, I immersed in the mikvah, and it was a unique experience. I felt like I came out much stronger, filled with self-confidence." During the process, she was accompanied by a Jewish family, with whom S' occasionally stayed. "They're wonderful," she shares. "I was constantly asking them questions, and they helped me as much as they could. To this day, we're in touch."     

How did you go through such a process without telling your family?

"Indeed, they suspected I converted because there were all kinds of rumors, and they did ask me if I converted, but I didn't tell them. I have a mother who raised me and good uncles — I don't want to hurt them. It doesn't disturb my life because we don't live close, and I live my life. I know one thing — I am at peace with myself. I'm part of the Jewish people. I observe six hours between meat and milk, so why shouldn't I feel Jewish?"

How did you feel, for example, during Operation Protective Edge?

"I was very sad. It hurts what happened to the bereaved families. It hurts me for the soldiers who went. There's no trust in the Arabs, I'm speaking the truth."   

S' shares that she makes it a practice to pray daily. "I try to pray from the siddur, but if I don't manage, I pray to Hashem in my own words. I tell Him: 'Hashem help me, guard us, give us health and strength.' I know one thing — if I don't pray, nothing goes right for me, that's how it is. So I pray to Hashem every day."  

S' has also become aware of the phenomenon of young Jewish women falling into the traps of Arab men, and she strongly opposes it: "Arab men want revenge on the Jewish people, so they get involved with Jewish women. Unfortunately, I know some women who have fallen into their captivity. They don't know it's not for a serious purpose or marriage, but just to pass the time. It's a shame that after a short time, the guy starts abusing her. I oppose this with all my might. When I get the chance, I talk to them and explain, hoping it helps."

What's your message to people?

"I believe in the religion of Moses and Judaism — it's the true religion. I converted, I know it's not a game. Now it's just me and Hashem. Only He knows what's in my heart."