Wrestling For My Jewish Identity
An Eclipse With Reality
by Elisheva Irma Diaz

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​​What could possibly prompt a world-acclaimed respected Christian, pastor, author, and public speaker to embrace Judaism? And not just embrace it, but become a rabbi? Wrestling For My Jewish Identity: An Eclipse with Reality is the true story of Elisheva Irma Diaz’s journey to reclaim her Jewish heritage and the faith for which she believes she was born. It explores how a Crypto-Jew found her way out of Exile and reclaimed her blood legacy despite experiencing disappointment and ridicule from those who knew her as a Christian leader and prejudice from many in the Jewish community she joined. Moreover, beyond being a personal account, Wrestling For ​My​​ ​Jewish Identity also provides support for the Anusim, those with a Crypto-Jewish background – and practicing Jews – who are grappling with the following questions: “Who am I? Who have I become? Where am I? Where am I headed? Who am I supposed to be?” In the midst of a Sephardic revolutionary movement of Jews throughout the diaspora, and especially in Latin and South America, who are awakening to their heritage, Elisheva’s message persists: we must not ignore the calling of the blood that runs through our veins, our spiritual DNA, and as Jews, we must accept that “a Jew is a Jew” regardless of where they have landed in Exile.

www.elishevairmadiaz.com

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"Elisheva (Irma) Diaz is in my view one of the most dynamic Jewish leaders in the United States today. Her personal story is compelling, and the intensity of her faith is inspiring." Dr. Joe M. Davis Ph.D., Harvard University in the field of medieval Jewish history and literature. His area of academic specialization is the cultural and intellectual history of Ashkenazic Jews in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Gratz College Scholars Program, Jewish Studies "Elisheva (Irma) Diaz's book Wrestling For My Jewish Identity: An Eclipse with Reality is a testimony to the integrity, honesty and fearlessness of her journey as a descendant of B'nai Anusim. Through emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in G-d, Elisheva reaches through history to the core of her essence" Vanessa Paloma Elbaz Founder and Director, KHOYA: Jewish Morocco Sound Archive, Casablanca, Morocco, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, Research Associate, Women's Studies Research Center. "Elisheva (Irma) Diaz is an inspiration. I am always so impressed with her love for our traditions, her knowledge, her style and her commitment to her Jewish heritage. To sum it up, Elisheva is uniquely accomplished and a gift to humanity by G-d Himself. What a gem!" Rabbi Richard E. Perlman Member, Vice President: Vaad HaRabbonim of America, "American Board of Rabbis" "Elisheva Irma Diaz’s story, reads like a Hollywood script filled with drama, success, betrayal and the triumph of the spirit over all. A truly inspiring true story." Ayala Or-El, Editor/Journalist at Yediot America, contributor to the Jewish Journal and Tribe Magazine

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Dr. Elisheva Irma Diaz de Hernandez, BAJS, MTS, DD (aka Irma Elizabeth Diaz) was born into a Hispanic Catholic family with Crypto-Sephardic roots​ and attended Catholic private school as a child. As a 1st generation Hispani​​c​ whose​ ​maternal and paternal​​ ​origins began in​ ​Southern ​Europe,​ Elisheva was brought up within​ ​her​​​ ​rich Mexican culture​. ​ ​A​s a​ ​young adult​, she entered the political world serving in a grassroots Congressional​ Campaign which​ ​after a victory​​ ​opened​ ​​many ​door​s​​ ​​in​​ ​Washington, DC​.​ The height of her national experience was​​ ​during the Reagan and Bush Senior White House years. Later her love for G-d launched her into a large full time ministry with a team of forty Pastors and leaders and a consistent global following. Through her travels as a speaker and producer of her own international television program she touched many lives. Her experience in Government opened doors in South America where she visited ​and was hosted ​annually​ ​for fourteen years ​to address members of parliament including members of​​ ​the United Nations.​ ​As a Bat Anusim she was always interested in Israel and diligently studied​ ​the Torah, ​Jewish sacre​d​​ ​writings​​ ​and​ ​​ancient​ literature​ ​while she served as a leader in Christian Ministry.​ ​Elisheva​ ​discovered more about her families roots during the time of the Spanish Inquisition and​​ ​began to fully embrace her true faith as a Jew in the late nineties​.​ She ​formally returned to her heritage in 2009. In 2012, she was ordained as a rabbi​ ​through​ ​the Jewish Spiritual Leaders Institute in New York​ ​and today is a Public Speaker and author serving as Vice President of The Coalition for Sephardic Hispanic and Ladino legacy in Los Angeles. She leads services and teaches in synagogues where she is invited and as of late finds herself very fulfilled bringing healing to others through hospice chaplaincy and bereavement work. She is the founder and President of the Ayekah Jewish Foundation and Co-founder​ ​and Vice President ​of the Coalition for Sephardic Hispanic and Ladino Legacy. (www.Ayekah.org)

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Contributors

Author

Elisheva Irma Diaz

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