Estefani
Favorite traditional Jewish food: Latkes
Favorite Jewish holiday: Hannukah. Sitting down, lighting the candles, singing songs… How would you describe your identity? Definitely being adopted into a Jewish family is a part of my identity. I don’t come from knowing my whole background, so I’m kind of creating my own. Being Hispanic is different because most other people in the Jewish community are white, so I am able to bring a different perspective just by being who I am on the outside. |
Do you feel like your looks and experiences are included in the general picture of what a Jewish person is? Why or why not?
No. Walking around in my world and telling people that I’m Jewish, they say, “Oh, you don’t look Jewish”, so I say “What do you mean?”, and they will say “Well you’re not white, you don’t have curly hair, and the stereotypical big nose.” Since I’m Hispanic and I don’t fit into their image of a Jewish person, I get a lot of reactions and questions. I would say, “Yeah, I know [I don’t look Jewish], it is because I’m adopted, but I’m proud to be Jewish.” I do think it is easier for me because I am not targeted for being Jewish if I’m just walking around. I can easily say that I’m not Jewish and that would be it. How does this affect your feelings about Judaism? It makes me feel isolated, but meeting other Jews of color definitely creates a larger community for me. Talking to Beckee, [the program director of RTI], was really eye opening. I also have done programs over the summer where I met other Jews of color. I’ve gone to events where Jews of color all meet up, meeting kids my age was really cool. It helps me feel like I have more of a space in Judaism. |
"...meeting other Jews of color definitely creates a larger community for me." |
"I think it is so hard to push even one person out of that minority. We all have a sense of community and we need to stick together." |
Do you feel like you have been generally welcomed in Judaism? Why or why not?
I think generally yes. I do get stares sometimes, but since we are such a minority, I think it is so hard to push even one person out of that minority. We all have a sense of community and we need to stick together. Are there times where you have felt excluded from Judaism because of your various identities? I wouldn’t say excluded, but there is definitely a look that goes over everyones’ face. They all think, “Wait, what’s happening?”, “Are you really Jewish?”, “How are you Jewish?”, lots of questions. But they all try to include me, so it is kind of weird. Does identifying as Jewish play an important role in your life? Yes, I definitely would say so. It is such a unique part of me, because not everyone is Jewish. It’s really cool! What is your favorite part of being Jewish? Having a community. Once you meet someone else who is Jewish, it is like: “You’re Jewish? I’m Jewish! Let’s be best friends!” |