You have reawakened my Jewish identity.
Dear Anti-Israel Protesters and Antisemites,
Thank you. Your antisemetic rhetoric has taught me four powerful lessons.
1. As Jews, we are different. No amount of assimilation can erase that.
Over the years, a part of my Jewish identity has been compromised. I’ve looked to the non-Jewish world for directions on big questions like “how to live” and “who am I”. The past few weeks, you have reminded me that I don’t belong. I can no longer rely on the non-Jewish world for those answers. I am forced to turn towards my Jewish roots for answers.
Thanks to the wake up calls that I am Jewish, I am beginning to ask real questions. What does it really mean to be a Jew? What are the passions and pleasures of a Jew? What’s the role of connection and love in Judaism?
I am grateful to the Jew-haters for sparking my journey into a rich and meaningful Jewish world.
2. Yep, I am part of the chosen people.
The notion of “the chosen people” always evoked shame surrounding privilege and elitism. I distanced myself from it. Then the war happened and the western world, particularly anti-Israel advocates, have been obsessing over Israel’s morality in battle. They are holding Israel accountable to a higher standard than any other country. I can’t help but marvel at the world reaffirming the Jewish narrative of being the chosen people. If they can say it without shame, then I can internalize it with pride.