If we are lucky, at some point in our lives, we encounter something that radically changes the way we see and behave in the world. This podcast follows the spiritual journeys of folks who leave one way of being for another, claiming agency as they embrace revolutionary Jewish innovation. They build circles of belonging and imagine new ways to engage with their emergent communities. With every awakening, others awake alongside.
What our listeners are saying
¨I just got done with the first episode. Thank you for making me cry in Walmart. I’m a recent convert myself and I was deeply moved by their conversion story.
Thank you for being there for those men! I had a long journey myself with some roadblocks and I appreciate their fortitude and how they never let a closed door lead them to quit.¨
¨I’m deeply inspired by this - holy wow!
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Oh my goodness, I’m completely hooked already. I heard the first episode and had to keep going. I can’t wait for the rest of the series to drop. I have been feeling a bit dry, lifeless, burned out in my spiritual life and Jewish learning, and listening to this series has reinvigorated my soul...¨
In its inaugural season Tales of the Unbound follows the Jewish journey of two incarcerated individuals, their chaplain, and the community they co-created in the most unlikely of places. Ari lived a Jewish life for nearly 15 years within prison walls. He wraps tefillin, prays several times a day, taught himself Hebrew, and cultivated a small group that gathers on Sabbath. Though he practiced Jewish ritual and deeds, he did not identify as Jewish. After all, he discovered Judaism in prison where there is no chance to convert.
To convert to Judaism in almost every denomination you need: A sponsoring rabbi, a Beit Din (rabbinic court), mikvah (ritual immersion) and milah (ritual circumcision). Even more, Jewish law requires that you have complete free will, receive no direct material benefit from conversion, and be able to practice the mitzvot (Jewish deeds/commandments) without mitigation. So, conversion was a someday goal, something that Ari could think about when he got out of prison, but unreachable while inside.
Josh, on the other hand, discovered Judaism a few years ago. His enthusiasm and love for Judaism is contagious. But Josh is a lifer. Sentenced to life in prison without parole. So even the dream of “when you’re out” is inaccessible to him. He tries for almost two years to reach out to rabbis in hopes of converting.
The answers are kind, but still no. Not yet. Not there.
Until one day, Josh listens to the Judaism Unbound podcast on conversion and hears a different message, one that offers hope.
He shares the podcast with Ari, and together they reach out to Judaism Unbound.
Judaism Unbound is predicated on the philosophy that Judaism is an ever-evolving product and practice. In every generation rituals and practices change to meet the needs of the community. Sometimes in adjustments and other times in radical re-imagining through disruptive innovation. For generations, in the darkest and most troubling of times, rabbis found ways to invite in new Jews. So, why couldn’t we figure out a way to do the same?
What follows is a 7-episode arc on the conversion process and the way Josh and Ari’s Jewish chaplain, Amy, and teacher, Marvin, guide this small group of Jews over a new threshold. Why conversion? When folks are grounded in a sense of spiritual legitimacy it offers personal agency, particularly in a place where one’s agency is limited. From that place of confidence and authenticity, comes a community of belonging that transforms everyone who is part of the process. With every awakening, others awake alongside it.
Episodes
Ways to Donate and Support
To donate directly to the Monroe Correctional Jewish community please click the link above, which leads to our donation page, please indicate ¨Monroe¨ in the notes. Funds collected will provide ritual items, books for their library and holiday foods.
A gift of $50 provides a TaNaKh (Bible) and Hebrew learning book.
A gift of $100 provides challah and juice for a month of Shabbat services.
A gift of $500 provides books for the whole community for Wednesday study sessions.
This organization is based in Washington State and serves both the local area Jews in jails and prisons and internationally. It is an entirely volunteer run organization that strives to help with advocacy, internal policies for religious freedom and practices, and some visitation and pastoral support.
Matir Asurim: Jewish Care Network for Incarcerated People connects Jewish spiritual, cultural, and communal resources to people who have experienced incarceration.
Matir Asurim literally translates as “The One Who Frees Captives.” This phrase from Jewish liturgy refers to God’s power to act for freedom and/or humanity’s ability to manifest godliness through working for freedom.
Provides kosher food, special holiday packages, Jewish books and ritual items for Jewish incarcerated individuals and Jews in the military. They also have resources and groups for families and for those who are in the re-entry process. This is the largest organizational supporter for Jewish folks in prison. In order to be recognized as a Jew by Aleph, one must be born a Jew or have converted before incarceration.
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Miriam Terlinchamp
HOST
Miriam (she/her) is the Executive Director of Judaism Unbound, host and author of Tales of the Unbound. Prior to joining the Unbound team, Miriam served as senior rabbi of Temple Sholom for 13 years. Miriam’s passion has always been to serve systemically marginalized folks, learn and grow along with seekers, and share the wisdom and beauty of Judaism. Miriam is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Joey Taylor
PRODUCER
Joey (he/him) serves as the Executive Director of Bespoken Live, a radical storytelling initiative. He is also the producer of the podcast “Common Good” and teaches world religions in prisons. Joey’s artful story telling is obvious in the way he has curated and threaded this new podcast. Joey lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Joshua Phillips
Josh|Yermiyahu (he/him) is a published author of multiple books, deeply connected to the restorative justice process, trains support dogs, and is Judaism Unbound’s very first convert to Judaism! Josh is a passionate community member who currently resides in Monroe Correctional Prison in Washington State.
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Marvin Stern
EDUCATOR
Marvin (he/him) teaches Jewish values and Torah on Wednesdays at Monroe Correctional Prison, along with his partner, Amy. Marvin leads a bookgroup around Jewish concepts of forgiveness, identity and meaning. He lives in the Seattle area.
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Amy Wasser
CHAPLAIN
Among her many talents and work, Amy (she/her) serves at the Jewish sponsor for the residents of Monroe Correctional Prison. She teaches classes with her partner, Marvin, on Wednesdays and leads Shabbat services and study on Fridays. It is because of Amy and her ability to create places of safety and vulnerability that this group has emerged. She lives in the Seattle area.
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Ari Kingsman
Ari (he/him) is a linguist, paralegal, artist, and devout Jew. Ari is a self-taught epicurious including learning 4 languages, reading and chanting Torah. He loves movies, painting and reading. Ari currently resides in Monroe Correctional Prison in Washington State.