They told me I was “too Jewish”

Because I wanted a more detailed service.

They asked me why I didn’t go to a more Jewish camp,

they asked me why I wanted a more detailed service,

they asked me why I was so Jewish

but they never asked me to stay.

Because I woke up each morning with Modeh Ani on the tip of my tongue

and fell asleep each night reciting the Shema.

I left them.

Putting the “too” in front of my identity

makes me feel superfluous,

like the world doesn’t need another person like me.

But without even having the “too” in front of my identity,

they slaughtered 6 million people like me.

I study the history of my people, the indelible people,

in a brightly lit school with hallways decorated by student art,

my people studied our history

in a dimly lit room and an atmosphere of impending danger.

I proudly wear my Star of David necklace

while my people hid behind the reputation

of a yellow sewn star.

They laughed at me when I spoke at school,

professing my love of my religion.

I said to them: I love being Jewish. That’s not the first time I’ve said it and it won’t be the last. Heck, I’ll say it again: I love being Jewish.

And they sat there smiling, indulging me in my personal beliefs.

“Hannah, do you love being Jewish? I didn’t know that” they mocked me,

and my senior jersey said “My Other Jersey’s a Tallis”

and it made my class laugh.

I am “too Jewish.”

I proudly done a Tallit and T’fillin every morning,

I daven the most important prayers with all the intent I can muster

at 8 am.

I read Torah on a regular basis.

I thrive on Hummus and Pita.

I believe that Hamentashen are the best snack no matter what season.

Shabbat is the hilight of my week!

I go to a Jewish Day School,

I went to a Jewish summer camp.

And one day,

I’ll marry a nice Jewish boy.

Look me in the eye, and tell me I’m “too Jewish.”

Give me the feelings of superflousness,

tell me I’m extraneous.

If the Jewish community didn’t have me,

they would’ve lacked a Sunday School Helper, an avid Israeli dancer, a studious student of Jewish studies, a dedicated member of Jewish youth groups and a motivated, determined and passionate citizen.

So I’m extraneous, you tell me I’m too much,

but I’m proud of my heritage

and I’m proud of my people

and I’m proud to be a Jew.

What’s your story?