Eve. of Tues., May 16–Wed., May 17
21st of Iyar–Omer 36
Being Jewish now has a very different meaning than it used to have. It meant being in a Jewish youth organization in high school, joining Hillel in college, marrying a Jew, and raising children who learned to observe Shabbat, holidays, and participate in life cycle events. It meant volunteering and taking an active part in synagogue life.
Now that the children are grown and on their own, observing Shabbat and the holidays (without them) has become less meaningful. Sitting in the synagogue on holidays, knowing that Jews around the world are doing the same, still has some meaning, as does the Seder for the same reason.
Now, though, because of today’s political climate, being a Jew means that I’m afraid. I’m afraid for myself as an older adult; I’m afraid for the future generation who actively participate in Jewish life. Will they want to continue on this path? What will being Jewish mean to them?
—Anonymous
Eve. of Wed., May 17–Thurs., May 18
22nd of Iyar–Omer 37
Being a Jew means wearing my Jewish star necklace proudly and remembering that there were times in the past that my ancestors could not do so.
It means celebrating the holidays the way my Bubbie and Zaydie learned from their Bubbie and Zaydie.
It means reading the Haggadah on Pesach and even though we all want to skip to the meal, we know that we have to fulfill the mitzvot and tradition of the entire Seder meal.
It means watching the candles melt and guessing which one will burn out first, gathered with family and still singing, I have a little dreidel even though there are no children.
It means coming home on a Friday after a stressful week, and coming to Shabbat services to hear L’cha Dodi because this prayer helps me to find the peace of Shabbat.
It means teaching the next generation so that they, too, find meaning in Torah, Life Cycles, and Holidays.
It means TREATY and NFTY and time spent with teens, learning together.
It’s a community that gathers around you at the darkest times to provide meals, cookies, and comfort.
It’s my friends, my family, my common ground, and my life.
—Rachael Farber
Eve. of Thurs., May 18–Fri., May 19
23rd of Iyar–Omer 38
Being Jewish is a tapestry of meaning and experience. Through Egypt, Europe, America, my Jewish ancestors journeyed, those experiences shaping them, shaping my father, shaping me. This thread offers no choice; woven into me through time, blood, behaviors handed down, a heritage of loss, survival and celebration of life, of prayer and quiet conversation with G-d.
Other threads I claim — an intellectual heritage of learning, reflection, study, discussion. Israel. A Temple community and cherished Rabbi. My family: it is my husband’s and my deliberate choice to raise Jewish children, who will find their own Jewish identity and meaning. While WWII was handed down to me as a vivid, living memory, deep and painful, my journey out of fear into expressing myself as Jewish and raising Jewish children is a personal triumph, living through a chapter of loss and harm into another of survival, celebration and honoring our covenant with G-d.
—Helen Dorra
Eve. of Fri., May 19–Sat., May 20
24th of Iyar–Omer 39
Being a Jew means feeling connected to generations of family. It means feeling like the scope of history is alive within me, as well as the promise of the future.
—Jay Bonime
Eve. of Sat., May 20–Sun., May 21
25th of Iyar–Omer 40
Being a Jew to me means powerfulness. It’s a part of who I am. I think being a Jew should be something you’re proud of, not scared to show. At school I learned about the Holocaust and I looked up to my ancestors who didn’t run away and convert, but instead faced their deepest fears and stood there proud and bold with their Jewish stars sewed onto their clothing. I think that what being a Jew means is to never give up and be courageous and proud of who you are.
—Sarah Cohen (Age 13)
Eve. of Sun., May 21–Mon., May 22
26th of Iyar–Omer 41
What does being a Jew mean to me? Well, according to my DNA, I am 49% European Jewish, 25% Italian, 17% West Asian, and 8% trace regions… wherever ‘trace regions’ are. So, it’s official. I am Jewish.
But that’s only biology and doesn’t take into consideration what’s in my heart. Can a person be 1000% Jewish? I feel my Jewishness more deeply than DNA, more strongly than tradition, and even more sharply than Passover horseradish!
What does being a Jew mean to me? It is my identity. It defines who I am, where I go and what I do. It is who I am.
—Barbara Fisher
Eve. of Mon., May 22-Tues., May 23
27th of Iyar–Omer 42
Before I converted in 2010, I participated in Jewish events and festivals with Allen. Since conversion my identity as a Jew has significantly grown in many areas. These include committee work, volunteering, traveling with Temple David members, attending services during Shabbat, Holidays and special events. The special people I now call friends help me to explore and expand my Jewish identity.
—Ann Cohen