How Sarah Hildering Turned Chaos Into Purpose in Israel

Sarah Hildering’s life changed the moment silence became louder than violence.

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.

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.

Key Takeaways

1. 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.
2. You see that a meaningful spiritual journey isn’t sudden; it’s built over time through exposure, curiosity, and a deep desire to belong.
3. 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.

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Timestamps

[00:00] Sarah Hildering’s early connection to Jewish history

[03:10] The influence of her grandfather and upbringing

[07:15] The Amsterdam attack and community response

[09:30] October 7th and the music industry’s silence

[12:00] Trauma, silence, and a breaking point

[14:30] Early spiritual curiosity and Israel connection

[17:45] Terror attack experience at 17

[26:45] Fear, antisemitism, and finding Chabad

[31:00] Leaving Amsterdam after targeted attacks

[34:30] Living in Tel Aviv during war and finding purpose

Links

• Sarah Hildering’s LinkedIn
• Project Ruth Website
• Rabbi Adam Mintz
• Meredith Berkman’s LinkedIn