Honoring our Jewish traditions is the most important thing that we can do to preserve and grow our culture in the next generation.

My great-great-grandparents and their families perished in the Holocaust, a tragic loss that underscores the resilience and strength passed down through generations. 

Both sides of my family were born Jewish and have lived their lives devoted to Jewish traditions, honoring our faith through joy and hardship. 

My cousins, sister, and I were all raised in traditional Jewish homes, where we celebrated every holiday with love and respect. We’ve each had Bar and Bat Mitzvahs at a conservative synagogue, marking our connections to our heritage and responsibilities within the Jewish community. 

My Jewish identity is an immense source of pride and strength for me. The values and traditions my parents and family have instilled within me have fostered a strong sense of belonging, resilience, and connection to our history. 

I feel grateful to be part of approximately 2% of the world’s Jewish population.  We will always continue to honor the history of the Jewish people, never forgetting the hardships but instead using them as an opportunity to come together as a people.