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Channels Conversations Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories

A Chinese Convert’s Global Odyssey of Faith

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A Chinese Convert’s Global Odyssey of Faith

How a Jewish woman’s whirlwind journey—through six countries, guided by her mother’s quiet strength—led her from rural China to Israel and Europe.
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Elisheva Martinetti was born in North-East China. She was educated in Kesser Torah College in Sydney, Australia. After high school she went on to study in Beis Chana Seminary in Tzfat before becoming a teacher at Lubavitch Senior Girls’ School in London, UK. She currently serves as a Chabad emissary in Milan, Italy.
Chana Weisberg is host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast and curator of advanced learning experiences on Chabad.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.
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14 Comments
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Jodi Nicastro Stony Brook June 22, 2025

Chana,
Thank you for bringing Elisheva back. I so enjoyed her. Reply

Rochelle Israel June 3, 2025

Thank you this was inspiring. Her final wish is my fervent wish also! Reply

Zmira June 1, 2025

Amazing story and inspiring!
Yashar koach Rebitzen Chana for all you do. This give me lots of chizuk also open my mind for other people very interesting and positive away. Please continue.
Chag Sameach Reply

Mia Adams Ft Lauderdale May 30, 2025

I would have liked to hear how and where she met the Italian, she married. I assume he is, of course, Jewish, although, his Italian name does not reflect that. Hearing her story, there is no doubt, he would be as devoted to Chabad, as she is. Reply

Chana June 4, 2025
in response to Mia Adams:

You can watch how they met here:
How the Chinese girl who became Jewish found her soulmate

chabad.org/4785894 Reply

Aliza Hausman Los Angeles, CA May 28, 2025

I love this. I converted at 26 after first becoming interested in Judaism when a Holocaust survivor came to my middle school class to tell her story. I'm a Dominican-American Jewish convert. Loved watching this story. Reply

Michael Ben-Yosef Staten Island, NY June 4, 2025
in response to Aliza Hausman:

I remember reading your blog, say, about 15 years ago.
Your name seemed familiar and then you mentioned your background and it clicked.
You are a very good writer and I hope all is well with you and your family. Reply

Aliza Hausman Los Angeles, CA June 4, 2025
in response to Michael Ben-Yosef:

Thank you for that. I am no longer writing unfortunately but I still check out Chabad.org to read the work of others. :) All is well! Reply

Mike Ben-Yosef Staten Island, NYC June 5, 2025
in response to Aliza Hausman:

I see that you were active as recently as two years ago, I think I followed you way back around 2008-2012 or so, that time period. If you ever feel ready to write again, I look forward to reading more, and, if you've said everything you wanted to say, that's cool too. Kol tuv! Reply

Stan USA May 28, 2025

Wonderful story. Reply

Max Myers San Francisco May 28, 2025

I visited the Esther and the Kaifeng Jewish Museum in Kaifeng, China, which has a very long history of Chinese Jews. Most of them have left and made Aliyah in Israel already, but she maintained the Museum there for tourists. Recently, she has had to close it to the public due to government intrusion and interrogation. I love to hear about Chinese Jews. They have a very long history! Reply

Vicki Bamman Jacksonville, OR May 26, 2025

My journey has been, ummm, circuitous...but I finally converted at age 81. Wahoo!! Reply

Aliza Hausman May 28, 2025
in response to Vicki Bamman:

Mazel tov from a fellow convert! Reply

Sarah May 29, 2025
in response to Vicki Bamman:

Wow! That is very inspiring to hear! Welcome to the Jewish peolple! Reply