Reyna Simnegar: Her Family Hid Their Judaism for 500 Years

Reyna Simnegar: Her Family Hid Their Judaism for 500 Years

Author: Meaningful Minute January 24, 2026 Duration: 1:22:33
Meaningful People
ReligionReligion & SpiritualityEducationJudaismSelf ImprovementSpirituality

She grew up Catholic in Venezuela, never knowing Jews still existed, yet her family quietly lit candles, covered mirrors, and placed stones on graves. Centuries-old Jewish practices survived in her home without explanation, passed down in secret since the Spanish Inquisition.

 

In this episode, Reyna Simnegar shares her extraordinary journey from Venezuela to Judaism: uncovering crypto-Jewish roots dating back over 500 years, discovering her family's hidden mesorah, living through political collapse under Chávez, and ultimately converting Orthodox and building a Jewish life and family. From Schindler's List to UCLA, from Taco Bell to Jerusalem, this is a powerful story of identity, faith, exile, and return.

 

A rare, deeply personal conversation about Anusim, survival, and what it means to come home, even when it takes generations.



This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:



► PZ Deals

 

Download the app and never pay full price again!

 

https://app.pz.deals/install/mpp

 _____________________

 

► Colel Chabad Pushka App

 

The easiest way to give Tzedaka

 

https://pushkapp.cc/meaningful

 

_____________________

 

► Move to San Antonio - The Other Texas

 

A growing Jewish community offering warmth, learning, affordability, and opportunity. Small-town feel, strong values, and a big future just outside Austin.

 

https://www.rodfeisholom.com/movetosa

 

_____________________

 

► Givat Hashalva

 

Givat Hashalvah is a new, vibrant, Torah-centered community rising in Givat Ze'ev, only 20 minutes from the heart of Yerushalayim.

 

https://go.lyo.group/4rAkXCN

 

_____________________

 

► Wruble & Co

 

Exceptional legal service starts with a genuine personal connection. We deliver clear, efficient, results-driven legal counsel in Israeli real estate, always guided by the client's individual needs. Through transparency, care, and clarity, we support confident decision-making at every step.

 

https://www.wrublelaw.co.il/

 

_____________________

 

► Dream Raffle

 

Win a brand new and fully furnished $1,200,000 apartment in Yerushalayim! 

Use Promo code MPP for $10 off and to receive double tickets!

 

https://thedreamraffle.com/ 

 

_____________________

 

► Rothenberg Law Firm

 

Personal Injury Law Firm For 50+ years!

Reach out Today for Free Case Evaluation

 

https://shorturl.at/JFKHH

 

_____________________

 

► Town Appliance 

 

Visit the website or message them on WhatsApp

 

https://www.townappliance.com 

https://bit.ly/Townappliance_whatsapp 

 


Every week, Nachi and Momo sit down for a conversation that feels more like a discovery than an interview. Their Meaningful People podcast explores the journeys of fascinating individuals from across the Jewish world, though you don't need to be Jewish to find their stories compelling. These are artists, educators, thinkers, and community builders-people whose lives are driven by purpose. Each episode delves into the personal turning points, challenges, and inspirations that shaped them, moving beyond public personas to reveal the real human experience behind them. You’ll hear conversations that are as likely to be funny and lighthearted as they are profound and reflective, offering a genuine sense of connection. This isn't about abstract ideas, but about the lived wisdom that comes from a life examined. Tune in for a weekly dose of perspective that feels both uplifting and grounding, a reminder of the diverse paths that lead to a meaningful life. From Meaningful Minute, this podcast sits at the unique intersection of spirituality, self-improvement, and education, all through the power of personal narrative.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 298

Official website RSS
instagramspotify
Meaningful People
Podcast Episodes
Nissim Black - The Gangsta Rapper Who Found God [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:01
Nissim Baruch Black (born Damian Jamohl Black) has been a gangsta rapper, a gang member, and a faith seeker. He was raised a Sunni Muslim but was non-practicing, and converted to Christianity at age 14 after attending an…
The Man Who Found Little Yosef - Everyone Can Be Meaningful [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:25
Thousands of people came together to look for little yosef who went missing during a hot August day. Yaakov and Nachi sit down with Victor Shine who had the biggest breakthrough in the case. He is also the writer of the…
Lavi Greenspan - Blind Faith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:09
After illness left him blind Lavi's life was never the same. However, that didn't stop him from living his life to the fullest. Lavi went on to pass the bar exam and has inspired thousands since. While Lavi may be blind…
Rabbi Manis Friedman - YouTube's Most Popular Rabbi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:34
Manis Friedman is a Chabad Lubavitch Hassid, Shliach, rabbi, author, social philosopher and public speaker. He is also the dean of the Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies. He is also YouTube's most popular Rabbi with…
Yaakov Shwekey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:06
Yaakov Shwekey stormed into the Jewish music scene in 2001 with his debut solo album, Shomati, soaring to the top of the charts To date. Yaakov is one of the most popular singers of our time. In this episode, we talk abo…
Rav Reuven Feinstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:23
R' Feinstein Shlit"a is the youngest of the four children of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein ZTL and the only one to be born in America. He joined his father in establishing the Yeshiva of Staten Island in 1966. He has served as R…
R' Eli Stefansky - 8 Minute Daf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:24
Eli was raised in New York and Bnei Brak. A graduate of some of the finest yeshivos both in Israel and the States, he learned for a while after his marriage, before successfully entering the real estate business. His Daf…
Dr. Shana Frydman - Shalom Task Force [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:40
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode discusses many forms of abuse. Dr. Shoshannah Frydman, PhD, LCSW is the Executive Director of Shalom Task Force. Dr. Frydman is a trauma informed therapist and advocate where she has worked…
Rav Joey Rosenfeld - Mystical Optimist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:36
Joey Rosenfeld LCSW, is a practicing psychotherapist currently working in the addiction field focusing on the interface between philosophy, spirituality, and psychology. Rav Joey's podcasts and video recordings on works…
Rabbi Hanoch Teller - Super Storyteller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:16
Rabbi Hanoch Teller is a globe-trotting modern-day maggid (storyteller of yore) renowned as the King of the Storytellers and the Shakespeare of the Yeshivah World. He has lectured before audiences on five continents, in…

«1...21222324252627282930»