Sh' khol by Colum Mccann

Sh'khol is now a favorite short story of mine i see a lot of cultural blend and religious overtones. Examples you have Rebecca an Irish Jew who converted through marriage adopt a boy named Tomas, a Russian boy from Vladivostok who i believe is Jewish. The story takes place in Ireland a predominately Christian country. My thought about this story is how beautiful it is to see cultures and religions are not used for politics or hate but love and understanding. The part of the story i loved when Rebecca came upon the phase the phrase Sh'khol she couldn't find the translation in any other languages she knows. My thought is what if she has to discover the meaning of Sh'khol in her own way. I get the sense that the story takes place in a seaside town with cottages and the weather is very cold plus it's Christmas. A few questions i have why did Rebecca decide to convert to Judaism? Rebecca and Tomas have a good relationship or a awkward one? Lastly how did she get from Ireland to Vladivostok?