This Passover, I feel more in-tune with my Jewish identity than ever: I’ve never thought about my philosophical Jewish beliefs as much as I have lately, in this season of Pesach and the retelling of the Exodus. It’s special to celebrate joy and freedom, whether it’s yours or that of your ancestors. It makes us have hope and believe that we, too, will experience that in our lifetimes. We just have to work for it, and we do that by being a good person, and filling the world with love, respect, and kindness.
Read moreOp-Ed: On the Accusation of Critiques of Israel Being Anti-Semitic
There is an entire history’s worth of politics and beliefs to consider when assessing the Israel-Palestine conflict because colonialism in Palestine did not begin with Zionism. When making educated, accurate critiques of the Israeli government’s policies, whether past or present, it’s not attacking Judaism or the faith of its people. It is our duty as part of this world system to understand all of its intricacies, and we cannot do that if we intentionally exclude the Israel-Palestine situation.
Read moreOPINION: How We Talk About the Holocaust
There was nothing about Reich’s story that was any more gruesome or devastating than the stories I had heard throughout middle and high school. I was not even brought to tears by the emotions, or lack thereof, of my seatmates — both of whom had dozed off as Reich addressed the audience. I exited the auditorium swiftly after Reich concluded, wiping tears with shaken fists.
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