From “it’s part of me” to “I’m part of something”

For me, growing up Jewish meant celebrating Chanukah instead of Christmas, eight nights of presents instead of one. As a child, that was the biggest difference I knew between myself and others who weren’t Jewish. I attended synagogue for a few years, became a bat mitzvah, and spent summers Jewish camp, just like many other Jewish kids. And I loved bagels and lox.

But beyond the food and the holidays, I did not fully understand what it meant to be Jewish. My identity felt more cultural than spiritual or communal. I knew the traditions, but I didn’t feel deeply connected to them. It was just a part of who I was, even if I didn’t know exactly what that meant.

This began to change once I started attending Indiana University. I joined Alpha Epsilon Phi, a historically Jewish sorority, and found myself surrounded by a Jewish community. I attended events at Chabad and Hillel, and while I could have been more involved, those experiences sparked something in me.

After my sophomore year, I traveled to Israel on Birthright. That trip helped me see Judaism in a new way. Being in Israel, learning about the history, and experiencing the culture firsthand made me feel connected to my Jewish identity. It wasn’t just something I grew up with; it was something I could choose to explore and be proud of.

Then came October 7. Being a Jewish student on campus in the aftermath of that day was difficult, but it also deepened my awareness of what it means to be part of a shared history, with all its vulnerability and strength. I found myself leaning more into my Jewish identity and love for Israel not just as a source of comfort, but as a source of pride and purpose.

Another turning point was when I became a Lewis Summer Intern at JUF in 2024. I was introduced to the broader Jewish community in Chicago in a way I’d never experienced. I learned and connected with Jewish values– tikkun olam (repairing the world), B’riyut (health and wellness), ahava (love), and kehillah (community)–and how they are all deeply woven into my personal life and professional life.

When the summer ended, I wasn’t ready for that journey to stop. I applied to be a program assistant in the Lewis Summer Intern Program this past summer. I wanted to stay connected to this incredible JUF community and help others discover the same sense of belonging I had found.

In this role, I’ve continued to grow. I’m learning more about Judaism and how my values connect personally and professionally, and I am deepening my relationships in the Jewish community.

Looking back, I realize that my Jewish identity has always shaped who I am. But it wasn’t until I actively engaged with the community, and explored the deeper meaning behind the traditions that I truly began to understand it. Food, holidays, and camp memories are still part of it, but now I feel the history and purpose behind them.

While my time in the Lewis Summer Intern Program ends, I know my journey has just begun. This fall, I’ll start to study for my master’s degree in social work at Loyola University Chicago, with the dream of becoming a therapist. Through everything I’ve learned, I’ve realized how deeply Jewish values align with my passion for helping others.

Being Jewish is not just having seven more days of presents, or eating bagels and lox. It’s something I choose to connect with every day. It continues to shape the kind of person, and professional, I want to be.

Rachel Masinter, the 2025 Lewis Summer Intern program assistant, is currently studying for her Master of Social Work degree at Loyola University of Chicago.