Report by Linda Paterson
What a treat the ladies of NRUS had when Rebbetzin Leah organised a fascinating speaker called Elishev Martinetti on Tuesday 14 July. A crowd of 30 women heard the amazing story of how a little Chinese girl changed her life when she was given a book of Talmud Stories as an 11 year old. With the encouragement and support of her mother, Elisheva (not her birth name) decided to become an orthodox Jewish Woman. And what a story she had to tell. She left her safe and loving home in China at 15 for Singapore then on to Australia where she was eventually accepted by the Jewish orthodox community in Sydney. This was only achieved by her hard work, high intellect, determination and constant support of her mother.
Not only was this journey filled with lots of difficulties and challenges, but she faced them alone and without her mother who could not get a visa leave China. Elisheva eventually came to London after spending some time at a seminary in Israel (Sefat). She met her husband through an orthodox dating site, an Italian man who had also converted to Judaism. They now live in Milan, work for Chabad and have 4 children. Not only was her story absorbing but she presented with a very different and interesting PowerPoint.
We all hope she will eventually write a book of her most unusual life, it will read as a piece of unbelievable fiction although it is all true!