About the Author
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Elisheva (Irma) Diaz is in my view one of the most dynamic Jewish leaders in the United States today. Her personal story is compelling, and the intensity of her faith is inspiring.
Dr. Joe M. Davis Ph.D., Harvard University in the field of medieval Jewish history and literature. His area of academic specialization is the cultural and intellectual history of Ashkenazic Jews in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Gratz College Scholars Program, Jewish Studies |
Author’s Biographical sketch (abbreviated)
Dr Elisheva Irma Diaz, is a born and raised Angelino. She is an International Author, Public Speaker and lecturer. She is well known for her spiritual gifts and communication skills and in addition to her interfaith far reaching ministry, she is in charge of the Bereavement Department for Emanate Health Hospice and home care, (previously Citrus Valley Hospice and Home Health) which is affiliated with Emanate Health; Queen of the Valley Hospital, Inter-Community Hospital and Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in San Gabriel Valley, California.
As a young adult, she entered the political world serving in a grassroots Congressional Campaign, which after a victory opened many doors in Washington, DC. The height of her national experience in politics and Government was during the Reagan and Bush Senior White House years where she served on the transition teams and with the Public Liaison office. She traveled throughout the United States building special interest coalition groups and in addition later worked with Arianna Huffington as a surrogate Public Speaker.
Soon following, She built a fairly large ministry that founded an institute that trained and ordained Pastors. She was instrumental in planting churches which are still around today. She was Executive producer of her own international television program which aired for 14 years in 170 Nations. Her experience as a diplomate in Government opened doors in South America where she visited and was hosted by the government annually for fourteen years. It was there she was given a strong voice addressing parliament which included members of the United Nations. Simultaneously she worked with business and religious leaders across South America. It was during this time that Elisheva (Irma) aka Pastora Irma began working with her team in the slum areas of Brazil helping the orphanages in their quest to rescue infants and children from the streets. She has traveled throughout South America which includes Argentina and Ecuador with her focus on nourishing leaders in Biblical Ethics. As a Sephardic (Hispanic) Jew with knowledge of the Holy land and her Hebrew studies, she has taken study groups to Israel since the early nineties. (For information on 2020 tours) She holds a Master’s in theology and Doctorate of Divinity from Covenant Life Theological Seminary in Gainesville, Georgia. She furthered her education with her focal point on Rabbinic studies where she graduated in 2013 from Gratz College (a private, coeducational Jewish college in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania). In addition to her ordination as a minister in 1986, she was also ordained a Rabbi in 2012. She is the founder and President of Ayekah Jewish Foundation based in Los Angeles.
Dr Elisheva is the Vice President and Co-founder of The Coalition for Sephardic Hispanic Ladino Legacy
Author and Journalist
Books: 2000 to Present: (starting with the most recent)
- The Impossible Possibility (believing is seeing) Archway Publishing from Simon & Schuster (2019)
- Coexisting in a Religious World of Divide –WestBow Press ,a division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, (2019)
- Wrestling for my Jewish Identity, Friesen Press, (2017)
- El Aliento de Dios - Caribe/Betania Editores/Thomas Nelson (Spanish, 2005)
- El Sopro de Deus - Proclama Editora (Portuguese) (2005) – Published in Brazil & available in South America
- The Prophetic Power of the Hour- Christian Living Books, Inc (2001)
- The Breath of God – Destiny Image Publishers (2000)
Honored and acknowledged (partial list)
§ Awarded by Faculty at Gratz; the L. Bernard Rabinowitz Memorial Award for unique leadership commitment and service to Jewish Institutions both religious and secular. May 2013
§ Certificate of Recognition for work in preserving (Hebrew Castilian language) of Ladino , State of California Senate, Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, 2013
§ Certificate of Recognition from the City of West Covina City Council for Accomplishments and Dedicated Service to the Community, Mayor Shelly Sanderson. 2013
§ Commendation from Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti for work in Jewish Education. 2013
§ Honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for Building Community. 1986 and again in 2013
§ Jerusalem, Israel: Special reception in honor of Rabbi Elisheva, by Artist, Danielle Antibol and Tour leaders: awarded original painting and an ancient Torah Scroll in appreciation of contributions to Israel. 2010
§ Brazilian Government: Honored by the Legislative body for Social development (Tikkun Olam) and contributions made throughout Brazil from the business and religious communities to the slums. 1997-2010
§ United States Congress, Outstanding Community Service, 21st Congressional District. 1983
To have Dr Elisheva Irma Diaz, BAJS, MTS, DD speak at your special event contact us below:
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Affiliations,..
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The Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies was founded in 1991 as a multi-disciplinary academic and secular association that fosters research, networking of people and ideas, and the exchange of information, among scholars and descendants of conversos, regarding the historical and contemporary developments involving crypto-Jews of Iberian origins and other hidden Jewish communities around the world.
Her Story
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Wrestling For My Jewish Identity
An Eclipse With Reality by Elisheva Irma Diaz What could possibly prompt a world-acclaimed respected Christian, pastor, author, and public speaker to embrace Judaism? And not just embrace it, but become a rabbi? Wrestling For My Jewish Identity: An Eclipse with Reality is the true story of Elisheva Irma Diaz’s journey to reclaim her Jewish heritage and the faith for which she believes she was born. It explores how a Crypto-Jew found her way out of Exile and reclaimed her blood legacy despite experiencing disappointment and ridicule from those who knew her as a Christian leader and prejudice from many in the Jewish community she joined.
Moreover, beyond being a personal account, Wrestling For My Jewish Identity also provides support for the Anusim, those with a Crypto-Jewish background – and practicing Jews – who are grappling with the following questions: “Who am I? Who have I become? Where am I? Where am I headed? Who am I supposed to be?” In the midst of a Sephardic revolutionary movement of Jews throughout the diaspora, and especially in Latin and South America, who are awakening to their heritage, Elisheva’s message persists: we must not ignore the calling of the blood that runs through our veins, our spiritual DNA, and as Jews, we must accept that “a Jew is a Jew” regardless of where they have landed in Exile. Scroll down for endorsements
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Book Details
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Book Specifications
174 pages Black & White 6.0 x 9.0 inches |
ISBNs
978-1-5255-1475-3 eBook (epub, mobi, pdf) 978-1-5255-1474-6 Paperback 978-1-5255-1473-9 Hardcover |
Categories
Religion, Judaism Self-Help, Spiritual Religion, Faith |
Keywords
Crypto Jew, Anusim, Following Your Faith, Jewish Heritage, Hispanic Jew, Former Christian, Rabbi |
Bookstore
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Endorsements
Elisheva (Irma) Diaz is in my view one of the most dynamic Jewish leaders in the United States today. Her personal story is compelling, and the intensity of her faith is inspiring.
Dr. Joe M. Davis Ph.D., Harvard University in the field of medieval Jewish history and literature. His area of academic specialization is the cultural and intellectual history of Ashkenazic Jews in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Gratz College Scholars Program, Jewish Studies
Elisheva (Irma) Diaz's book Wrestling For My Jewish Identity: An Eclipse with Reality is a testimony to the integrity, honesty and fearlessness of her journey as a descendant of B'nai Anusim. Through emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in G-d, Elisheva reaches through history to the core of her essence.
Vanessa Paloma Elbaz Founder and Director, KHOYA: Jewish Morocco Sound Archive, Casablanca, Morocco, Hadassah Brandeis Institute, Research Associate, Women's Studies Research Center
Elisheva (Irma) Diaz is an inspiration. I am always so impressed with her love for our traditions, her knowledge, her style and her commitment to her Jewish heritage. To sum it up, Elisheva is uniquely accomplished and a gift to humanity by G-d Himself. What a gem!
Rabbi Richard E. Perlman Member, Vice President: Vaad HaRabbonim of America, "American Board of Rabbis"
Elisheva Irma Diaz’s story, reads like a Hollywood script filled with drama, success, betrayal and the triumph of the spirit over all. A truly inspiring true story.
Ayala Or-El, Editor/Journalist at Yediot America, contributor to the Jewish Journal and Tribe Magazine
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