The story of Arlette’s journey to Israel can either be described as

surprisingly unexpected or completely predestined.  Arlette grew up in a Catholic family, and besides a mother with a French accent, nothing in her life appeared out of the ordinary. After marrying a Jewish man in 2002 Arlette developed a strong interest in Judaism and describes

her first encounter with Jewish liturgy as 'coming home.'  "I wanted us to practice a religion together, so I started reading about [Judaism] and it came alive for me."  Her attraction to Judaism eventually led to conversion and the simultaneous decision to pursue a career as a cantor.  “When I knew I wanted to be Jewish I knew I wanted to be a cantor.  For me those two things are one and the same.  I have a degree in music…and I love the idea of using my voice for leading people in prayer, and I love the Jewish liturgy and the Jewish culture.”  After a few years of formal study in Los Angeles, Arlette and her husband were divorced.  Despite the personal hardships, however, Arlette remained committed to Judaism and to her dream of becoming a cantor. 

It soon became clear to Arlette that in order to pursue a career as a Jewish communal leader, it was essential for her to spend a significant amount of time in Israel.  "Living in Israel and the Holy Land, and experiencing the culture, and seeing how people live, and being in the calendar and all of that was just going to be an invaluable experience.”

It did not take long for Arlette to find the Jewish Theological Seminary, a program that began with one year of study in Israel followed by four years in New York.  With the help of MASA, Arlette was able to pursue her studies in Israel.  "I didn't know what MASA was until I got here, and when I found out that it existed and that I received a scholarship, it made my transition to living in Israel for the year so much easier, and I thought how perfect!  I am exactly the person this grant was designed for and it is serving the purpose of it's intention.  We found each other and I am so grateful.  Nine months later here I am!"

Although new to Israel, Arlette surprisingly has roots here dating back to its inception in 1948.  Her mother’s father, a Romanian Jew, married a French Catholic woman.  Living in France at the outbreak of WWII, the couple, along with their children, went into hiding.  Surviving the war they moved to Israel in 1947 at her grandfather's insistence.  "Ironically, my mother lived here when she was a child…and spoke fluent Hebrew.  She lived here in '47, '48, '49, at the very beginning.  She lived in a tent…she remembers eating falafel off the stand."  

In 1949 the family moved to America and continued to practice Judaism, her uncle having a Bar Mitzvah in New York.  "By the time I was born they were all Catholic.  They had all converted when they were teenagers of their own volition."   

Unexpectedly, Arlette has discovered she has Jewish roots on her mother's grandmother's side as well. "So halachectly I’m Jewish…but I didn't know any of that until I decided I wanted to be Jewish." 

Appearing confident and empowered, Arlette is finding Israel to be quite accommodating and comforting, commenting, "I love the people here.  They are really something else…even if they're hard on the outside, they're total mush-pots on the inside." 

Twists of fate Arlette have, in a way, come home, brought Arlette back to roots that have been concealed within various folds of history.  "I always thought my mother had a French accent," Arlette  smiles "but her accent is actually Israeli." 

 

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