My favorite part of being Jewish is being part of a strong tribe, with shared values, history, and traditions.

What resonates most with me about being Jewish is the emphasis on family, education, and charity—values that are woven into so many aspects of Jewish life. I feel especially connected through the holidays, rituals, and the many opportunities to come together to be with community.

What resonates with me most about being Jewish is the sense of community, purpose, and connection. I find meaning in the rhythm of Shabbat and the holidays, in our tradition of learning, and in creating spaces where people can come together, reflect, and grow.

I love knowing that I’m continuing a tradition passed down through generations. Every Friday night, I light my great-grandmother’s candlesticks—the same ones she brought from Russia—keeping her legacy alive. No matter where I am in the world, I always seek out Jewish communities. We may not speak the same language, but our shared traditions create an unbreakable bond.

The thousands of years of shared traditions and the feeling of being mishpacha just by being Jewish!

Growing up on Long Island, either you were Jewish or understood the main principles of Judaism. It was an inherent part of my upbringing and culture. Those of us that were reform but Kosher had that “special” table in the house where you brought in pizza and Chinese food!

I would say the part of being Jewish that truly resonates with me is our call to action. “Pray as if everything depends on God, but act as if everything depends on you.” As Jews, we recognize that we have the ability to transform the world.

I cherish the strong sense of community in Judaism. It’s like Jewish geography-everyone is somehow connected! The feeling of togetherness is something I truly love. I also deeply appreciate the values and traditions, which I’m now passing down to my own family!

The traditions of Judaism resonate with me because they create a sense of connection—no matter where you go, there are always shared traditions that tie families (and generations) together. For me, it’s especially important to blend my traditions with my wife’s, creating something meaningful and unique for our daughter. This allows us to honor both of our backgrounds while building a family culture with experiences and values that reflects who we are.

The connection between being Jewish and being an environmentalist is deep rooted in Jewish tradition and was planted in me since a young age (pun intended!). Being Jewish has taught me to care for the environment, be as sustainable as possible, and have a deep respect for nature.

What resonates most with me about being Jewish is the music and the holiday traditions—I love singing Jewish holiday songs with my kids and teaching new songs to others.

Judaism can mean so many things! For me and my family it is the joy of celebrating our Jewish heritage and traditions, our commitment actions towards the value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), all while fostering Jewish connections that help build and shape communities so we can watch the next generation grow up in a world brightened by the light of every Jew.

As someone who grew up in Israel and served in the IDF, my Jewish identity is deeply rooted in the values of community, tradition, and unity. I cherish the warm community I’ve built here in Florida. I remember that before I moved, leaving my community in Israel was very challenging, so building my community here became my number one priority. The sense of belonging and connection has always been central to my identity, and I’m grateful to have found that same sense of community here.

Since becoming a mom, I really appreciate the Jewish traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation in my family, that I am now passing onto my own boys.  Prioritizing Friday night shabbat dinners together, singing the same Shabbat songs I learned in preschool, and even using the same Yiddish phrases I learned from my grandparents.  My boys are named after my grandfather (a Holocaust survivor) and my dad who both had a huge impact on my Judaism growing up. 

I grew up finding meaningful Jewish connections through my youth group, and that involvement continued into adulthood through a Jewish young adult organization. Today, as a parent, I remain active and truly value being part of the vibrant Jewish community in my area.