Woman Completes Jewish Conversion in Los Angeles After Decade of Study

Hours after completing a ritual bath that marked her conversion to Judaism, Yona Speidel left a celebratory dinner with her rabbi in Los Angeles when a man across the street shouted an anti-Jewish slur. Speidel said her rabbi turned to her and said, "Welcome." She replied that she felt she was home.

Speidel, a television writer and producer, had explored Judaism for twelve years before deciding to convert. She said the faith offered space for her identity after she learned she is intersex. She first took classes while working on the series Transparent but paused them.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she resumed study at American Jewish University and completed the process with Rabbi Igael Gurin-Malous at Beit T'Shuvah.

Speidel posted on social media that Zionism means support for Israel's existence as a Jewish state. She said the post drew online criticism but also brought support from people who understood her intent. She added that she has avoided Pride Month events in recent years because of antisemitism she observed in those settings.