Caroline’s Reviews > Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi's Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging > Status Update
Caroline
is 33% done
I started out really liking this book, but the more I get in to it the more I find out it’s very, very reform- to a level that seems to want to invalidate other movements (especially orthodoxy). She has treated orthodox people in her story thus far as if they have affronted her, instead of her recognizing that she was raised in a less observant movement and yes, sometimes things will happen that don’t make sense
— Aug 10, 2026 09:49PM
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Caroline’s Previous Updates
Caroline
is 50% done
This book became much better once she started her own professional religious journey. As a cantor and then a rabbi.
I was getting bored, so I skipped to the chapter on Oct. 7 (88%). Currently crying at work.
— 18 hours, 30 min ago
I was getting bored, so I skipped to the chapter on Oct. 7 (88%). Currently crying at work.
Caroline
is 40% done
Also, re the orthodox conversion: she talks abt it like yeah we put together a beit din and bam! Mikvah. Like nooo that is Not the process. She would have had to be studying for ages, and actually commit to kashrut, tsnius, etc.. walking to shul.. but none of that is mentioned. Maybe she’s written abt the conversion elsewhere? I’m intrigued
— Aug 11, 2026 09:10AM
Caroline
is 40% done
She converted orthodox- not because she wanted to be orthodox, but because she wanted the recognition from the rabbinut. Tbh, I understand. I still don’t like the way that she’s been treating orthodoxy and observance
— Aug 11, 2026 09:04AM
Caroline
is 37% done
Still feeling disappointed. I understand she’s reform, but I didn’t choose to read her book to hear her bash observant Jews
— Aug 11, 2026 08:43AM