The Priest Who Converted
Chaim Hadar Eliyahu is a modest, cheerful 50-year-old Jew—at least, that’s how he appears at first glance. But Chaim’s life story is far from simple. It includes a childhood in Barcelona, 38 years spent in a monastery, and even ordination as a priest—until he ultimately underwent conversion and embraced Judaism.
There Was Something That Didn’t Quite Fit
Chaim Hadar Eliyahu, formerly William, was born in Barcelona to an Israeli father who had converted to Christianity, and a local Spanish mother. After his father’s baptism, Chaim and his brother were moved from a secular school to a Christian one. At 19, Chaim decided to study sculpture at a monastery, and after three years, he became part of the monastic community.
One day, while praying in the chapel—the Christian house of worship—he felt a powerful calling to become a priest. He shared this with his father, and in 2010, he was ordained.
“Suddenly you feel on top of the world,” Chaim says. “You have Christianity, and you believe it’s superior to other religions. People come to you and receive so much from you as a priest—it’s deeply meaningful.”
Still, he adds, “there was something in the role that just didn’t quite sit right.”
“I Want to Be a Jew”
Chaim was not a typical priest. Even during his childhood, despite living as Christians, his family was familiar with Jewish tradition, spoke Hebrew, and even observed some Jewish customs.
Eliyahu says that many priests harbor intense hatred toward Jews—a hatred he believes stems from jealousy and festers in their hearts.
The Priest Who Converted
Chaim’s turning point came on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, during the opening Kol Nidrei service.
“The moment I sang Kol Nidrei, I felt as if it released me from all the vows I had made with the Church. And inside, I heard my heart say: ‘I want to be a Jew,'” he recalls.
“They’ve Grown Used to Walking on Diamonds”
Chaim converted to Judaism and moved to Israel. On Purim a year ago, he met his wife, and this past July, they were married.
“Sometimes I feel that Jews are like princes who’ve grown used to walking on diamonds,” Chaim reflects.
“And because they walk on them every day, they don’t realize the treasure that lies beneath their feet. Converts remind Jews of the treasure they’ve forgotten,” he concludes.
Watch Chaim’s story by Rega shel Chochma:
