I AM JEWISH - Reflections from LAHHS Students

Being part of a family—knowing that there is a support system and a community there for you. A part of a whole. —Anonymous

It means that both of my parents were Jewish, and therefore, I am. It means that I am proud of my heritage. It means that I am happy to be a Jew.—Danny F.

Being Jewish to me means that I am apart of a community. A community that lives with good moral values. A community that is strong. A community that cares for each other. I believe that because I am Jewish, I will always have a group of people that I will belong to. —Shayna E.

To me these last words are representative of what Judaism means and how a religion that teaches peace can be so misunderstood and even hated. Judaism teaches the importance of understanding. –Evan L.

It means that you are not afraid of who you are. That even though you face the possibilities of anti-Semitism and questionings about how Israel could be the way it is, you are proud of the fact that your ancestors are the founders of Israel and Judaism. I am Jewish. –Edan C.

I am Jewish means having a community who is there for me. Traditions that are cemented in my daily life. Judaism is what I base my decisions off of. The morals & ethics it brings. Being Jewish is my identity. Without it I would not be who I am. –Torie C.

This means a lot to me. It makes me proud of my religion, and also of the heritage that comes along with it. –Jonathan C.

To me, being Jewish is being part of a community, being a whole. It sucks to know that some people out there will hurt you for what you believe in, but still, I am Jewish. –Seth A.

I am Jewish, both culturally and religiously. But I am also an American and an atheist, and an….I am all those things and my Judaism colors and affects all of those other practices. –Anonymous

I am Jewish means I am connected to a long history of people, who have persevered and overcome great odds to stand up for what they believe in.
–Oree S.

I am Jewish is where I've come from. How I live my life and where I am going in my future. It is who I am, and I am never ashamed. I'm proud of my beliefs and will never back down. –Ilana G.

He is my brother, and he is my friend. These words were one of the first to come in my head after I heard his story. He is a proud Jew and not one of those people that fake their religion. –Justin K.

To me the words "I am Jewish" means that I always have a community to turn to. –Mitchell H.

"I am Jewish" Christians do not refer to themselves as "christianish" nor muslims "mulimish". The sky maybe be blue-ish, but when I apply myself to something, I do so to the extent that, rather than it becoming a part of me, I become a part of it. I am more a part of Judaism, therefore I am not Jewish. I am a Jew. I will forever and always be a Jew. And I love it. –Joey J.

To be Jewish is to know our oppressed history in the past, but still love the religion enough to continue the Jewish traditions. –Rachel B.

I am Jewish because I was born to be Jewish. Judaism is my heart, my soul, and my motivation to live a happy life in Israel: the homeland of my people –Alyson F.

It is a way for me to stand out it is a small way to "rock the boat" in a predominantly Christian society. It is my heritage. –Max T.

I have a place where I belong. I have friends who share the same values as I do. I have learned to respect all other religions and have learned that to be Jewish is to be tolerant of other people. –Jillian E.

It's not a religion you practice, its not a culture you're family's a part of. It's a part of who you are. Every part of my life reflects back on my learning and practice of Judaism but my choices and actions and want to be a better person for the world and my community is because I'm Jewish. I am proud, I am Jewish. –Jenna K.

I am part of a community that has existed for thousands of years. I'm a member in a religion that has shaped the way I have led my life. By being Jewish I have traveled on many paths that otherwise I would never have explored. I am part of a family that stretches across the globe. I live my life molded by the traditions of my past and the morals I have been taught. No matter where I go, there will always be a fellow Jew-someone I am tied to. I am Jewish. –Shira M.

To me this means I have a rich culture that has ancient roots. There is amazing food. There are people who share my history, around the world. Being Jewish rocks. –Evan S.