Eve Harow hears from Ari Greenspan, who helps Indians convert to Judaism, and Amit Re’em, who’s excited about an ancient discovery in modern Israel.
First, Eve is joined by Dr. Greenspan, dentist, mohel and self-described “serial halachic adventurer.” He tells Eve about some of his world travels in search of Jewish historical connections; people with Jewish origins; Jewish traditions that have been almost forgotten; and virtually anything having to do with Jews and Judaism. His latest? Helping 1,500 people in India convert to Judaism. (For more information: www.halachicadventures.com)
Then, Eve is joined by Antiquities Authority Jerusalem District Archeologist Dr. Amit Re’em, who describes the exciting discovery of an ancient ritual bath (mikvah) under the living-room floor of a house in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ein Karem, which sits on a Second Temple-era Jewish village traditionally associated with John the Baptist’s family. This is proof that Jews, maybe even priests, lived halachic lives there more than 2,000 years ago — until the Temple’s destruction in 70 CE. Finally, Oriya, under whose living room the mikvah was found during renovations, shares her feelings on raising her children in a home with such a history, and the personal significance it has for her as a Jewish woman. listen now