I realize
that, ethnically, I’m half-Jewish. I also haven’t exactly been exemplary about
attending services. Since I graduated college, I mostly just observe the High
Holidays and find my own ways to honor my religion. But I am and always will be
very proud of my Kohanic and Ashkenazi heritage. My copy of the Torah is right
next to my bed and I read from it every night. My relatives were murdered in
the Holocaust. And, not only was I extraordinarily involved in the Jewish
community on my college campus, but I founded and became president of the first and only university-recognized
women’s Jewish organization there, Nashim, despite years of strife, challenges,
and prejudice from the student activities program board.
Alpha Epsilon Pi's (Jewish Fraternity) Sweethearts Night
AEPis coming out to support me my junior year at Take Back the Night, where I was a keynote speaker
The beginning of sophomore year, when I established Nashim, with co-founder, Jodi Sukonick
Making hamantashen with members of Nashim, senior year, the last year of my presidency
To this day, the most incredible
and spiritual experience of my life is the time that I spent in Israel, traveling
the country, learning more about myself and Jewish culture and history in such
a short time than I could have imagined, and having my Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem
with all of my friends there. It still feels like yesterday when I visited the
Western Wall and broke down sobbing as I slipped my scrap of paper on which I’d
written a solemn and heartfelt prayer into one of the wall’s cracks. I remember
what it felt like to touch my hands and forehead against its bricks as my tears slid
down my cheeks.
The Wailing Western Wall
Aliyot at my Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem
Floating in the Dead Sea with a friend while visiting Israel (right)
“As we dip our apples in honey, we pray for an additional
measure of sweetness. May we continue to grow in our commitment to our faith,
our people and community. May all Jews experience blessings in the year ahead,
and may the world become a better place for all your children.”
L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem,
Elizabeth Alida
