I’ve grown closer to Judaism in college

When I was younger, I was told by multiple people passing through my life, including my third grade teacher, that I wasn’t Jewish. I have a Jewish extended family, celebrated holidays, and went to shul once in a blue moon. For me growing up, that was enough. Then came college. 

I attend a big public school where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and religious faiths are more openly talked about. College was the first time I was encouraged to wrestle with faith intellectually. I was allowed to think about God, Israel, ethics, all of it, more out in the open. 

I also no longer did things just because my family did. How involved I wanted to be in Judaism, whether I wanted to celebrate holidays or read the Hebrew Bible, became my decision. And I decided, eventually, after feeling like I was stumbling around blind for a while, to draw closer to that. 

So, after a couple of years of intense bouts of finding myself, I drew closer to Judaism. I met more Jewish people in the wild, grew closer with the ones I already knew, and became more active in Jewish organizations, the Chronicle included. 

Now, as a self-identifying Jewish college student, I have thoughts to share about what it means to have this culture be a significant part of my identity. 

1. There’s strength in the community. Being accepted into Jewish spaces after feeling isolated for so long was liberating. Don’t let anyone take that away from you. Even with everything going on, even though there are people who aren’t going to like Jews, we can make a point to like each other. To show up for each other. Hold tight to memories of when Jewish people sent you the message, “you belong here.”  

2. Everyone’s Judaism looks different, and that’s beautiful. Some people feel more connected to their Jewish identities and to God by going to shul every Friday. Some people feel more Jewish in independent study, or by talking with Jewish family and friends and celebrating holidays. It’s all valid, and it’s all Jewish. 

3. If you pray, then pray with intention. As human beings, we can get in the habit of praying in reaction to what’s going on around us, rather than seeking spiritual connection. But when we do that, we miss a lot. Take a deep breath, and think about the meaning prayer was designed for in the first place. You don’t have to feel perfectly inspired every time, just show up and try to remember why you’re doing this. 

4. Some people can be ignorantly antisemetic. The more you talk about being Jewish out in the open, the more of a problem it can become. That one seems kind of obvious, right? I mean, many of us tuck Stars of David into our shirts for a reason. Openly sharing your connection to Judaism with people who aren’t Jewish, even people you may feel close to, can sometimes bring discomfort. Maybe they’re only seeing the Israel–Palestine conflict. Maybe they’re religious in a way that they think conflicts with Judaism. Either way, be careful. 

The good thing about Judaism is that there are so many different ways and contexts in which a person can connect Jewishly. You can be religious, cultural, spiritual, or connected through memories of Jewish joy. Judaism’s flexibility can be one of its greatest strengths. It’s what has allowed us to survive and thrive throughout history and time. Every connection is part of that story. 

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Writer Kate Alter is a Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle intern. She is a senior at the University of Missouri, where she is studying journalism. Her opinions are her own and are not necessarily representative of those of the Chronicle or its publisher. The Chronicle seeks to publish a variety of opinions.