Press

Journey to Judaism Rachel Factor's one-woman show traces her religious conversion and move to Israel
March 18, 2005
By Margaret F Dickinson Community News Editor

There is one thing American Jewish women and Japanese Americans have in common - actually, it's three things: the letters "J.A.P." When strung together, those letters don't exactly evoke warm feelings for people in either of the two groups. The term, however, has been reclaimed and turned into something positive by - appropriately enough - Rachel Factor, a Jewish Japanese American Woman.

Factor has created a one-woman show titled "J.A.P," which she is performing to sold-out audiences across the U.S. and which she will present to the Minneapolis community 7p.m. Sunday, March 27 at the Sabes JCC in St. Louis Park.

In her monologue - which features her singing several original songs (and one Hebrew song) as well as humorous and poignant stories of how a young woman tackled and identity crisis - Factor recalls her journey from an aspiring actress in Hawaii to an Orthodox Jewish mother and wife in Israel.

Factor was born Christine Horii in Hawaii, which she left at age 18 to pursue a dance career in Los Angeles. Her career took off quickly: she danced in music videos, performed in the choruses of Broadway shows and even had a stint as a Rockette. Things changed for her, however, when she met and fell in love with Todd Factor, a Jewish television commercial producer, who told her that it was vital that his wife be Jewish.

After studying up on Judaism, Factor found that not only did she agree with the beliefs of the religion, but she also was intrigued by the rituals. So she underwent a Conservative conversion, and even encouraged her husband to learn more about his faith.

After learning more about Orthodox Judaism, the Factors decided that it jellied with their beliefs, and she and her son had Orthodox conversions. Christine changed her name to Rachel and the couple moved to Israel, where they now raise their two young sons.

The tale of he spiritual voyage is what makes up her show, which, in observance of Orthodox modesty laws, Factor performs for women-only audiences. It's quite a change from the Rockettes, but Factor enjoys performing for women only.

Factor relishes the idea that she can show Orthodox women that the path they follow is a great one, and that they're not missing much by staying out of the mainstream.

"They're people that aren't kind of out there in the mainstream world," Factor says about her mostly Orthodox audiences during a phone interview with the AJW. "They have a sense that they have a wonderful life but they also wonder, 'Is that world out there more intriguing or more fulfilling somehow?"

She is satisfied if she can help validate any Orthodox Jewish women's faith.

"I end up in Israel - Hawaii is on the opposite end of the planet. I searched really everywhere in mainstream society, and then in alternative society for this kind of connection and satisfaction and fulfillment.

That Factor found what she sought for so long in Orthodox Judaism she believe can give audience members the sense that "wow, I really do appreciate what I have."

She also thinks that her monologue address issues of religion and searching for something deeper in life the need and the desire for it in a world that is emphasizing something else."

Orthodox Judaism has clearly met her spiritiual desires, but does her show meet this ex-dancer's creative desires?

Factor wholeheartedly states that it does, and even more so than any of the jobs she landed in her previous glamorous life on Broadway and MTV. It's the gig she has always wanted.

"I was the Rockette, the third girl from the left. There were really a thousand people who could have done my job," Factor admits. "It felt like an achievement for sure, but the kind of expression I do now" is incomparable.

"I mean, no one can tell my story," she adds.

And what a story it must be to tell.

Rachel will perform "J.A.P." 7p.m. Sunday, March 27 at the Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd., St. Louis Park. The performance - for women only - will be followed by refreshments and a reception. General seating is $25, reserved seating $36; 10 percent off advance purchase discount. For tickets, call 888-256- 1764 or visit www.rachel-factor.com. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to The Well.