After 14 years in Jewish day school, I am poised to leave this sanctuary and
venture out into a wide world. Next year will be the first time I will attend a secular
school. On the eve of this departure, then, I ask myself, who am I? What kind of Jew
am I right now, at this point in time? Where do I see myself in five years? Truthfully,
there is an ongoing conflict in my mind between my secular self and my spiritual
Judaic self. It is not that I feel I must prioritize one over the other; rather, I find
myself asking how these two spheres in my life can conjoin. The last twelve years
have been a journey, both physically and metaphorically, and I know I am a very
different person today than when I initially entered Soloman Schechter High …show more content…
I do not feel myself above others. I do feel, however, that
being Jewish does separate me from the majority. It separates me due to our laws,
customs and traditions. But it does not isolate me at all. I can simultaneously engage
in this world and maintain a Jewish identity.
Another significant part of my Jewish identity lies in my tie to Israel. I was
born into a family that has Israeli roots. That in itself, however, did not teach me to
appreciate the existence of a homeland where Jews from various cultures and even
races can find sanctuary. Schecter has heightened my awareness of the importance
of the sate of Israel and has educated me in the workings of its government, history,
and language (work in progress). I have learned that not all Jews are necessarily
Zionists, but that I am. This is important to me because when I am in the Jewish
homeland, I feel a force of unity. I will continue to visit Israel and possibly even
study there for a year and finally learn the language. Of course, I am concerned for
Israel’s welfare; at the same time, I like to believe Israel is a strong and independent
nation who will hopefully exist for my children’s children.
Going forward, I see myself as a member of my university’s Hillel, where I
venture out into a wide world. Next year will be the first time I will attend a secular
school. On the eve of this departure, then, I ask myself, who am I? What kind of Jew
am I right now, at this point in time? Where do I see myself in five years? Truthfully,
there is an ongoing conflict in my mind between my secular self and my spiritual
Judaic self. It is not that I feel I must prioritize one over the other; rather, I find
myself asking how these two spheres in my life can conjoin. The last twelve years
have been a journey, both physically and metaphorically, and I know I am a very
different person today than when I initially entered Soloman Schechter High …show more content…
I do not feel myself above others. I do feel, however, that
being Jewish does separate me from the majority. It separates me due to our laws,
customs and traditions. But it does not isolate me at all. I can simultaneously engage
in this world and maintain a Jewish identity.
Another significant part of my Jewish identity lies in my tie to Israel. I was
born into a family that has Israeli roots. That in itself, however, did not teach me to
appreciate the existence of a homeland where Jews from various cultures and even
races can find sanctuary. Schecter has heightened my awareness of the importance
of the sate of Israel and has educated me in the workings of its government, history,
and language (work in progress). I have learned that not all Jews are necessarily
Zionists, but that I am. This is important to me because when I am in the Jewish
homeland, I feel a force of unity. I will continue to visit Israel and possibly even
study there for a year and finally learn the language. Of course, I am concerned for
Israel’s welfare; at the same time, I like to believe Israel is a strong and independent
nation who will hopefully exist for my children’s children.
Going forward, I see myself as a member of my university’s Hillel, where I