Walk-Ins Welcome with Bridget Phetasy

E377. Choosing To Be Chosen - Kylie Ora Lobell

Feb 12, 2026
Kylie Ora Lobell, author and convert to Orthodox Judaism, shares her journey from atheism to faith. She recounts a Shabbat dinner that felt like God, the slow adoption of rituals like keeping kosher, and how community and parenting shaped her return. They explore faith amid suffering, ritual’s role in habit and mental health, and why rituals and belonging draw people to Judaism.
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ANECDOTE

Conversion Moment At A Shabbat Dinner

  • Kylie felt a sudden warm melting in her chest at a Chabad Shabbat dinner and identified it as God.
  • That single physical sensation catalyzed her move from atheism toward Judaism over subsequent years.
INSIGHT

God In Daily Rituals

  • Judaism brings God into daily life through frequent blessings and rituals so the divine feels present.
  • Kylie contrasts God as both transcendent and intimately involved in small details of life.
ADVICE

Treat Self-Care As A Godly Instinct

  • Do listen to your gut and treat self-care as a godly instinct rather than self-indulgence.
  • Do pause work for rest or exercise when it feels right, because those choices often lead to smoother outcomes.
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