Yona Speidel on Her Conversion to Judaism and Why It Felt So Hard

Life brings us many big shifts. Some are loud. Some are quiet. For Yona Speidel, the change was both.

You might know her as Our Lady J. She worked on big shows. She wrote for Pose. She produced for Transparent. She has a long list of credits.

But now, she has a new name. She also has a new faith. She says it was a hard path. It was even harder than coming out as trans.

The path she walked before

She spent years in the public eye. She was a voice for the trans community. She spoke up for her rights. She fought for her space in the room.

The industry knows her well. She built a career on hard work. She wrote scripts that moved people. She put her heart on the screen.

But her internal life was shifting. She felt a pull toward something old. She felt a pull toward Judaism. It wasn't a sudden whim. It was a long, slow climb.

She studied the texts. She sat in classes. She learned the rituals. It took time. It took grit. She didn't do it to be seen. She did it for her soul.

A new name and a new life

She finished her conversion in March. It was a big deal. She picked the name Yona. It fits her well.

But telling folks was tough. She says it felt harder than coming out as trans. Why? Because trans is a label for who you are. This felt like a choice for how to live.

Some people don't get it. They ask why she would do it. They don't see the peace it brings. She doesn't care about their doubts.

She says the weight of it is real. She feels the history of the faith. She feels the weight of the prayers. It's not just a hobby. It's her life now.

She recently had a hard moment. Her brother died. It was time for his Yahrzeit. She lit a candle for him.

She sent a text to her family. They aren't Jewish. They don't know the rules. But they showed up for her.

They lit candles too. They read the texts. It meant the world to her. She felt seen in her new skin.

The details of the shift

Her apartment in New York City is quiet. She talks about the transition with ease. She doesn't hide the struggles.

Conversion is a long process. You have to learn a lot. You have to meet with rabbis. You have to prove your intent.

She says the hardest part was the social side. People have ideas about Jews. People have ideas about trans women. She deals with both.

She keeps working, though. She writes every day. She produces new shows. The work keeps her grounded.

What comes next for yona

She isn't slowing down. She has more scripts to write. She has more stories to tell. The faith adds a new layer to her work.

She thinks more people should find their own path. It doesn't have to be hers. It just has to be theirs.

She feels lucky. She has a support system. She has her family. She has her new community.

Quick questions answered

Who is Yona Speidel? She is a writer and producer. She worked on shows like Pose. She was formerly known as Our Lady J.

Why did she change her name? She changed it after her conversion to Judaism. It is a new chapter in her life.

Is this her first time speaking on this? She has shared bits and pieces. This is her most open talk about the process.

Does her family support her? Yes, they do. Even though they aren't Jewish, they honor her traditions.

Will she keep working in Hollywood? Yes. She is still a writer and producer. She has a lot of projects in the works.