Jewish & Proud

As a Jew born and growing up in Germany, whose religious community is often considered as some kind of vestige of the past, as a relic of a former once flourishing culture, I am proud to be Jewish because, despite centuries of persecution, genocide, and attempts at erasure, the Jewish people have not only survived but have also shown incredible resilience and resistance throughout history.

I’m proud to be Jewish because I am a link in a chain that has been growing stronger for thousands of years. My identity is like a challah, with various stories intertwined, allowing me to proudly embrace my Mexican-Jewish heritage. We value family dinners by candlelight every Friday night and rest one day a week on Shabbat. We are committed to giving tzedakah (charity) to help the most disadvantaged, honoring our parents, and dedicating ourselves to life, justice, and equality. Being Jewish and passing these values on to future generations is a privilege, and I am honored to be a link in this chain that has been building for thousands of years, bringing joy and morality to the present.

I am Jewish and proud because social justice feels embedded in my identity, and I have always felt a deep connection to Judaism. Tikkun Olam is integral to Judaism and to me.

Being both Black and Jewish may seem like an unusual combination to some, but for me, it is a natural part of who I am. As a convert to Judaism, I did not leave my Blackness or the Black community behind; instead, I added layers to my identity, enhancing it rather than shedding one aspect for another.

I am a proud Jew because of our history, cultural heritage, and the light we bring to the world. Born in the Former Soviet Union, being Jewish meant facing discrimination, which wasn't the ideal condition for fostering pride and self-confidence.

However, being Jewish also meant carrying forward traditions that value education, ethics, and social justice. I learned the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, fostering cohesion, and promoting fairness and justice. These values have become the compass of my entire life and a vital part of my Jewish identity.

I am a proud Jew because in each country where I had the opportunity to engage with the Jewish community, I always found a common denominator: feeling at home. No matter the origin of the family – from the Middle East to China, Poland, or Latin America – the country where they live or the rituals they practice, every time I attended a Shabbat dinner or a holiday celebration like Pesach or Rosh Hashanah, the most comforting feeling was being at home, part of a larger family that transcends languages, places, or destinations. We all share a common denominator: our origin, our culture, our history, and our people.