Growing up, my mom was Christian and my dad was Jewish. I went to church for three years and have gone to temple maybe 10 times in my life. I am what I like to call “religiously confused” in some respects but I always believed in parts of both religions. I was always told by others that you can’t be both and that just because your dad is Jewish that doesn’t make you Jewish. "It has to come from your mom’s side, too," I was always told. In truth, you can be both because each religion teaches you important and remarkably similar morals.

Judaism teaches moral concepts such as Mishpat, Tzedakah, Hesed, and Rahamin or otherwise known as, justice, righteousness, kindness, and compassion. I feel strongly about justice and righteousness. It is so important to fight for justice for everyone as everyone is equal. Kindness and compassion have such an important role in my life. I want justice for everyone who doesn’t have equality. I always feel like having compassion for people makes you a better person as you see people in a brighter way. It gives you humanity and respect for people no matter what their circumstances are. Kindness is the way the world works; if you are not kind no one wants to be around you. It affects your whole life.

Christianity teaches life lessons such as being humble, loving others, how to properly handle conflict, respect authority and do right. Being humble is very important to me. Being humble means not pushing your advantage in front of others and respecting everyone around you. Being humble makes you a better person. Respecting authority and learning how to handle conflicts correlate; when you’re in a conflict you're supposed to respect authority and handle it in a peaceful way. Loving others is a way of life that simply means having no hate just love. It makes you happier.

My dad was Jewish and since he died, me being Jewish has become very important. It brings me closer to him and his memory. I may not fully celebrate all Jewish holidays and I may not go to temple every week, but being Jewish and the lessons my dad taught me because of his background are important. Being Christian has brought me closer my mom because of her ideals and what she has taught me. I celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah and both religions have brought me closer to my parents. So, yes, I can be Jewish and Christian. I can choose to believe what I want and I choose to believe the morals dictated by each wonderful religion.