At one point during David Ben Moshe’s two years in prison, he saw a fellow inmate reading a strange religious book in a foreign language—which he later learned was Hebrew. At that moment, he discovered Judaism, beginning a process that would lead him to an Orthodox conversion, marrying an Israeli woman and raising kids in Israel.

At least, that was the plan. But when Ben Moshe tried to become an Israeli citizen, he was slowed down by one bureaucratic hurdle after another, sending him into an endless kafkaesque purgatory of paperwork, deadlines and outright racism.

Ben Moshe joins Rivkush, The CJN’s podcast about Jews of colour, to share his story and its implications for Jewish converts, Black Jews and anyone with a criminal record trying to move on with their lives.

Relevant links

• Follow David on Twitter @realdbenmoshe
• Read about his story on tabletmag.com

Credits

Rivkush is hosted by Rivka Campbell. Michael Fraiman is the editor and prodcer. Our theme music is by Westside Gravy. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network; find more great Jewish podcasts at thecjn.ca.