How Sarah Hildering Turned Chaos Into Purpose in Israel

<p>Sarah Hildering’s life changed the moment silence became louder than violence.</p><p>Sarah Hildering’s journey is a powerful exploration of identity, courage, and what it means to truly belong. Raised in Amsterdam with a deep respect for Jewish history but not born Jewish, her life took a dramatic turn when rising antisemitism and global events forced her to confront where she stood—and who she wanted to become. What followed was a path marked by fear, resilience, and an unexpected pull toward faith and community.</p><p>Now living in Israel during wartime, Sarah Hildering, a former global music industry executive who built a career at the highest levels of electronic music, shares how her personal experiences, professional disillusionment, and spiritual curiosity led her to pursue Jewish conversion and a life rooted in purpose. This episode unpacks the cost of speaking up, the power of community, and what happens when you stop running from who you’re meant to be.</p><p><br></p><p>Key Takeaways </p><ol><li>You start to realize that silence after trauma can be more damaging than the trauma itself—especially when the world refuses to acknowledge what happened.</li><li>You see that a meaningful spiritual journey isn’t sudden; it’s built over time through exposure, curiosity, and a deep desire to belong.</li><li>You understand that while fear can push you out of your comfort zone, it’s faith and community that ultimately pull you toward a life of purpose.</li><p><br></p></ol><p>Timestamps</p><p>[00:00] Sarah Hildering’s early connection to Jewish history</p><p>[03:10] The influence of her grandfather and upbringing</p><p>[07:15] The Amsterdam attack and community response</p><p>[09:30] October 7th and the music industry’s silence</p><p>[12:00] Trauma, silence, and a breaking point</p><p>[14:30] Early spiritual curiosity and Israel connection</p><p>[17:45] Terror attack experience at 17</p><p>[26:45] Fear, antisemitism, and finding Chabad</p><p>[31:00] Leaving Amsterdam after targeted attacks</p><p>[34:30] Living in Tel Aviv during war and finding purpose</p><p><br></p><p>Links</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hildering-van-lith-44740968/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BsZMTTaGSRU%2BarAhHTPj8vg%3D%3D">Sarah Hildering’s LinkedIn</a></li><li><a href="https://projectruth.net/">Project Ruth Website</a></li><li><a href="https://rabbimintz.com/">Rabbi Adam Mintz</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-berkman-6a8827146">Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn</a></li></ul><p><br></p>