Marty Mayfield grew up in Florence, Kentucky. Until the second grade, Marty’s family was very involved at her Baptist church. They attended church weekly, Marty attended Sunday school often, and her mother worked for the church. However, even at such an early age, church and Jesus did not sit right with Marty. She knew her Sunday school teachers thought she asked too many questions. Even more, she would often sneak into the sanctuary and feel overcome with fear.
Marty had made a few Jewish friends in Florence during those early years. They were not observant, but Marty was very curious. She would ask her mother about Judaism and her mother would encourage her to “go look it up!” Thankfully, her parents always encouraged her inquisitiveness. So, in grade school, Marty found herself in the library learning about the basics of Hanukkah. (Over the years, Marty would often find herself back at the library as she questioned life and explored Judaism.) From grade school on, Marty was constantly curious about Judaism. In her 20s, she contacted a rabbi to discuss conversion, but the appointment fell through. Though she wanted her son to grow up in the faith, life became busy. But Marty continued to read, learn and consider.
Since 2015, Marty’s life has been regularly upended. Her parents moved in with her due to their declining health. Her father had Parkinson’s disease and her mother had numerous strokes. Her mother passed in 2018. A few weeks after her mother’s death, Marty learned that her dad was not her biological father. Her biological father was the man she had known as her neighbor all those years ago in Florence, Kentucky. Being much older than Marty’s mother, Marty’s biological father passed many years prior. Making matters worse, Marty’s dad passed in 2021. At this point Marty felt as if her whole life had been a lie — “everyone had known the truth except me.”
Also in 2021, Marty learned she had breast cancer a month after her dad had died. Her chemo treatments made her so sick that she couldn’t work. This time was marked by sickness, emergency surgeries, blood transfusions and small spurts of health. She felt she was at rock bottom. However, Marty would later describe her cancer as a blessing. It afforded Marty “a lot of time to be contemplative.” She knew now was the time to convert.
Soon, Marty found Sharsheret. “I wasn’t Jewish, but I called anyways.” She asked the social worker “if anyone had converted during cancer treatment because I wanted to be the first!” After all, she had the time. Quickly Marty found an online Jewish spirituality course. “I knew zero Hebrew and very little about the tradition but, as I was sitting in those classes, I felt as if I did know.” Marty regularly attended this class and began exploring Judaism more intensely.
Eventually, she called Adath Israel about conversion and found out Rabbi Benjamin was leaving. Rather than waiting a few months for a different rabbi to facilitate her conversion, Marty asked him on the spot, “What can I do to get started?” Marty bought every book he recommended. Soon, she began talking with Rabbi Smolkin regularly. He kept inviting her to services, but her hair loss made her feel uncomfortable when in public, so she waited. Rabbi Burke was also instrumental in her conversion. Marty took his “Essentials of Judaism” course and attended every adult education course possible. She felt as if she would never learn the order of the service, but Rabbi Burke encouraged her to attend and keep trying. To help herself learn, Marty would watch the recordings of service so she could practice the liturgy. Soon she “knew all the songs and the prayers!”
Marty continued learning Hebrew, reading, attending services and becoming a part of Sisterhood at Adath. In June of 2023, Marty finally converted. “I was so nervous. Am I going to remember my blessings?” Coming out of the mikveh, Marty felt a sense of peace, relief and excitement. She notes how without Rabbis Smolkin and Burke she never would have “made it through.” Marty has also felt support from her son and granddaughter.
Currently, Marty is refining how she observes Shabbat. “Each week I try to do better.” She is not fully Kosher but hasn’t eaten shrimp or pork in a long time. Her diet is slowly including less meat and more veggies. She attends all the holiday celebrations at Adath, and she often volunteers during other religions’ holidays. Additionally, Marty is very involved in Sisterhood at Adath.
Marty encourages those pursuing conversion to attend services as much as possible, recalling her struggles with conversion. The repetition of services helps one learn. Even more, attending services is how you develop a sense of community — an element of Judaism Marty is most thankful for.
