Saturday, March 3, 2018

Jen Newmark


By Jen Newmark

During my trip to Israel last summer, I ceased seeing Israel as “other” and instead, mishpacha. Several days in Jerusalem awakened something tucked away in my heart. Whereas on a trip five years ago, I felt like an honored guest or distant cousin, this time I felt...at home. I fell madly in love with the beauty and complexity of Israel. Maybe my love is based on the food. Everything tastes better in Israel: the fruit is sweeter, the cucumbers crunchier, the hummus creamier. Or maybe, it was just the wonder of Jerusalem. It was incredible to exist, even for a few days, in a place where I could just be Jewish out loud. No need to sensor, no need to do what I’ve come to label as “Jew-splain.” I could just be.



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