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Overcoming Adversity: Risa Schessel’s Journey of Gratitude

Belonging: A New Podcast from Congregation Rodeph Sholom NYC

Belonging: A New Podcast from Congregation Rodeph Sholom NYC
Overcoming Adversity: Risa Schessel’s Journey of Gratitude
Nov 07, 2024 Season 2 Episode 4
Rabbi Ben Spratt

Join us as we unravel the remarkable journey of Risa Schessel, who galvanized her sense of gratitude and Jewish identity following a health crisis. Risa's early years were shaped by constant relocations and a distant connection to her faith, but her path took a fascinating turn during her time at the University of Texas and her involvement in a Christian sorority. Her story takes a transformative leap after she moved to New York and married Harry, an Orthodox Jew, leading to their shared decision to raise their children in the Jewish tradition. This pivotal choice deepened Risa’s engagement with Judaism, culminating in her becoming an adult Bat Mitzvah.