There are Israeli flags hanging in our living room. There is an entire cupboard dedicated just to kosher food. We own two full sets of cookware. My roommate is Jewish, and I couldn't be prouder. So this is a letter to her, my very sweet, very dedicated, very Jewish friend:
We don't talk about this nearly as much as I would like, but I admire you. I admire you because this is a time where it would be so easy to lose yourself. It would be incredibly easy to just eat whatever the rest of the group is having, to go to parties instead of Hillel on Friday nights, to let your faith get pushed aside by the stress and impressionability of college. But you don't. Your dedication to your religion, to your country and to the values that have defined you so far are integral to your character. They make you...you. And I love you for that.
I hadn't tried hummus before meeting you. I didn't know there was a vibrant LGBTQ community in Tel Aviv. I wasn't aware of the struggles the Jewish community still faces. Yet, you have expanded my perspective on so many things. You brought me to Hillel and introduced me to a center that is full of love and compassion. You are always willing to answer my ignorant questions. You are relentlessly patient. I've learned so much from you, and it's inspiring to me to see how much time, energy and passion you dedicate to your community.
Not many people are aware of the struggles Jewish college students across the country have to face. There are so many people with prejudiced and ignorant opinions on the conflict in Israel and what it means to be Jewish in the 21st century. But I don't want to be one of those people. Instead, I want to use my privilege to support you. I want to learn so that I can help you teach others. I am immensely proud of how you are unapologetically yourself and I hope that never changes.