At a brunch held by the Miracle Drive of Johannesburg, South African-born Ilana Skolnik, who became a Jew more than 20 years ago inspired women with her amazing story.
Born Ellen Peters, Skolnik, who was raised as a Protestant in a “colored,” or mixed-race, family under apartheid, told the women that she had always felt a connection to Judaism and that one of her earliest memories was reciting the first chapters from the story of Ruth.
Despite the obvious barriers of growing up colored in the 1950s and ’60s in South Africa, Skolnik was selected to represent the country’s non-white population in the 1973 Miss World competition held at London’s Royal Albert Hall. She was crowned Miss South Africa South in 1973, and later that year she came in ninth at the Miss World contest.
Skolnik told her amazing story of her journey to Judaism, and moved all those who attended.
in fact, I went to confirmation classes at the Anglican church in Kensington Cape Town when she was still then Ellen Peters. That was way back in the early 70’s.
I too have been wanting to convert. But they make it hard for me. Also I come from Pakistan. And… I was born Roman catholic. Felt an outsider there. Have always felt a pull towards Judaism. Came to the West, tried to learn and on my own have learnt a lot. B’H. But since I am in early 70’s cannot go and live among the Jewish community. They say its a must. Too bad. So they say be a good Noahide. So I say, in my heart Hashem knows who I am, and even if the Apple of His Eye,… Read more »
Since I know Ilana for so many years from Israel, having the priviledge and plessure, listening to her fascinating , powerful inspiring lectures, I frankly feel that i am pleasant ly willing to notify all the readers that Ilana is a real “tzadeiketh”, good heartet , sensitive ,intelligent, and a model for spiritual immitation.
She has been from the prominent lecturers in the ladies chabad convevtions in Israel.
Kol Tuv Ilana, We are all miss you and wish you good luck.
G.
The Torah stresses kindness and inclusion towards the geress. I nvr volunteer it because i’ve found that contrary to basic chinuch, lubavitchers are quite leary of even a 100% kosher converts. They certainly would nvt suggest a shidduch from their family. I’ve even been introduced as ” oh did you know she’s a convert?”now granted the person had zero social graces, but you get the picture. I felt like saying “this is so and so, did you know her uncle was in the funny farm! “People always ask ‘oh you should tell your story….” but it’s feigned interest…they just want… Read more »
As a Ger, I go through the daily fears and questions from people in the community. They wants to know when, how and why I want to convert and reading stories like this one inspire me more to keep going in this personal journey. Isn’t an easy one but I am looking forward for better and happier days when people will stop staring or asking the obvious questions.
We look for inspiration, and imagine that you will be more than willing to inspire us. We imagine that you would feel it to be a privilege that you can teach us. Our listening to you shouldn’t make you feel as an outsider, but rather as one who is well above us.
Very nice, but as a Ger myself, I still find it so intrusive when people ask “why did you become a Jew?”. That’s like asking someone, “why did you marry your husband?”, too personal! Also, by constantly asking a Ger about their life ‘before’ and ‘after’, you make them feel as an outside and as different. It is halacha to accept the Ger fully without mentioning their previous lives.
I see she is a real convert jew, but what is her story exactly?
How did she become a jew?
How people get inspiration if they dont know the story of the Ger, like the story of Ms. Tova Mordechai, how people can get a spiritual inspiration