Growing up in a Conservative Jewish environment offered many opportunities to find expressions of Judaism beyond simply attending services. I am a second generation American and forever generation Jew. The sense of spirituality and belonging was reinforced through my younger years of youth group and later on adult roles in volunteering at my synagogue or community at large. These experiences allowed me to find an outlet for extending the meaning of believing, observing traditions, giving back to my Jewish community and finding spirituality in everyday activities; especially marching or observing the Israel Day Parade since I was 16 years old.

Beyond synagogue observances, keeping a Kosher home, celebrating Shabbat and other Jewish holidays, I have learned to extend my Jewish American heritage by visiting many of the oldest synagogues in America as I travel. These visits support the feelings of continuity of the Jewish experience in America and remind me why it is important to always remain a member of a synagogue today and why it is important to keep synagogue buildings open and vibrant.

I have also learned to combine my love of Judaism through art. It began with making tallit, tallis bags, tefillin bags, challah covers, embroidered Judaic art work. Each family newborn and friend gets a project. It then extended to participating in creating Torah as art by becoming one of the 2000 plus cross stitchers that participated in the Torah Stitch by Stitch project. I was honored to stitch a small portion found in the book of Numbers. When completed each page of the Torah displays 6 feet tall and wraps around in the most awesome display of the Torah. This exhibit is coming to the US soon. I can’t wait to share it with my family and friends.

Each project I make combines my love of crafting and leads to a sense of continuity of Judaism. Each project is meant as a celebration, a gift to use over a lifetime and a gift that gets passed on to generations to come in the future. When we celebrate Shabbat with the 100 plus year old brass candlesticks and kiddish cup or Passover with the 120-year-old seder plate handed down from my great grandmother or the many handmade items like challah cover, matzah cover, afikomen bag, etc., there is a deep sense of knowing that our heritage is being passed on from generation to generation. A testament of continuation allowed by the freedoms America offers despite the hardships, antisemitism, and atrocities that have affected Jewish people through the centuries.

Mostly, I am proud of observing and identifying as a Jewish person through the many ways in which being Jewish American has allowed me the freedom to do this openly and with community.