As a Jew, I never really knew how to categorize myself. Growing up, I moved around quite a bit and was gifted the opportunity to experience many different types of American Jewry. As I observed my surrounding of Jews within the U.S. Western Society, I began to notice the various ways American Jews categorized themselves. These labels included Modern-Orthodox, Orthodox, Ultra-Orthodox, Yeshivish, Chassidish, Chabad, Reformed, and Conservative. Along with each label, people tended to subcategorize themselves into groups that identified with a specific sage or religious practice.

Following my American Jewish exposure, I had the privilege of studying abroad for my gap year in Israel! My eyes were now open to a whole new world of middle eastern Jewry. The labels ranged from Chiloni, Dati, Charadi, Chassidi, Na-Nach, etc. I became intrigued by the diversity in the way people related to our one G-d. I found such depth and beauty in observing how each Jew had a unique way of curating a close relationship with our creator.

As I began to understand these different categories, I still felt I didn't belong to any of these labels, but rather, I belonged to all. I love the positive energy expressed in the servitude of Hashem by the Na-Nachs, Breselev, Chassidim, and Chabad; I admired the commitment of the more mainstream religious Jewry, like orthodoxy, ultra orthodoxy charadim, dattiim. I strived to research the spiritual connection between the chilonim and dati lefi daati Jewish secs. I had finally understood that all of these labels were true gifts. We are all ONE nation, and yet we are blessed to have so many outlets to relate to Hashem.

I thank Hashem every day that I had the merit of being born a Jew. We have the greatest opportunity to transcend and relate to something bigger than ourselves and we can all find our belonging within this beautiful world.

I am ALL & yet NONE of these LABELS!

You get to define your label or lack thereof. Remember that your uniqueness is exactly what our nation needs to reach our ultimate potential and be a light to all nations (including ourselves).


I must end by mentioning a special thank you and by expressing my gratitude to a pivotal person in my life, my gap year rabbi and mentor, Rav Yonatan Hirschhorn. Thank you for helping me change my perception and internalize this understanding. I am now able to relate to every Jew on a deeper level with immense love and understanding. Thank you for being a true inspiration!