The lived experiences of young people following October 7th is a heavy topic, but one that impacts many of our readers and that we can all connect with. In partnership with Hadassah Magazine, we asked teen writers, “How has your experience since October 7th changed the way you think about and express your Jewish identity? How has this past year shaped your view of the future and where you are headed?” In addition to Gabrielle Siegel’s winning essay, we received many powerful essays, each unique in their own way, and we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight some of the most striking excerpts. Through this compilation we hope to showcase a diversity of perspectives and lived experiences of a variety of individuals after the events of October 7th.
Similar to many other Jewish teens, our own relationships with Judaism shifted in the wake of October 7th. For many of us, the aftermath of Hamas’s attack coincided with a time in our lives when our sense of self was beginning to really develop. This transformative period had countless young people reconsidering their identities and their relationships with their communities, ourselves included.
While conversations about Israel-Palestine often turn political, these essays focus instead on the personal and emotional impact that Jewish youth have felt in the past year and a half. We are so grateful to these writers for opening up to us. This is not an easy topic to write about and we recognize that many people may feel uncomfortable verbalizing their emotions. We want to celebrate the vulnerability and courage of these young writers who shared their unique perspectives and journeys.
A Field of Bridges by Eliana Wolf
In “A Field of Bridges,” Eliana reflects on how her experience in Jerusalem on October 7th, 2023 influenced her belief in the importance of empathy across difficult issues.
When the sirens first went off at 8:15 a.m. in Jerusalem on October 7th of last year, I didn’t recognize the sound. It was louder and longer than the usual wails of an ambulance. Only when we heard the booms of missiles being intercepted overhead did my parents realize that we were under attack, and they quickly ushered my cousins and me into the bomb shelter.
I can’t claim to have any solutions to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Decades of failed diplomacy reveal how complicated the situation is there.
If we are open-minded enough, perhaps we can come to a better understanding of each other. The time I spent in Israel last Simchat Torah sharpened my awareness of how conflict affects ordinary lives on both sides of the borders.
I recognize that when people are hurting badly, it’s hard to hear different perspectives. So at the very least, we can try to feel each other’s pain.
Eliana Wolf is a member of the class of 2025 at the Frisch School in Paramus, NJ. She loves to swim, hike, garden, read, and play with her bunny, Bunzie. She’s spending a year in Israel at Migdal Oz, and then she’s going to study something (Computational Biology? History?) at Barnard College. She hopes to make aliyah one day and hike Shvil Yisrael.
Exploring My Jewish Identity by Hemingway Chipman
In “Exploring My Jewish Identity,” Hemingway explains how both personal and world events fuel progression in her relationship to Judaism.
Because of the shared experiences I had with other Jews, I found that it was easier to connect to people and figure out how I will be Jewish.
Despite the fear and anxiety surrounding being Jewish at school, in the past year I have felt a more powerful connection to being Jewish within myself. It was also the same year I became a Bat Mitzvah, and as I studied and prepared, I became more confident and felt a stronger connection to my Jewish heritage.
With every experience I go through, my connection to being Jewish will grow and change, making me who I am today and in the future.
Hemingway Chipman is a member of the class of 2029 at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. In her free time she enjoys playing volleyball, hanging out with friends, singing, and reading. She hopes to join the Air Force Academy after high school.
Untitled by Emily Schenkel
In “Untitled,” Emily discusses how the events of October 7th strengthened her relationship to her community and religion.
On Saturday, October 7th, 2023, the world stopped. I still had to get up, go to work, and go to school the next Monday, but the world around me felt like it was at a complete standstill.
The events of October 7th have transformed who I am as a Jewish teenager in America. I continue to choose to surround myself with the amazing Jewish community I grew up with. We are a community, but more importantly, we are a siblinghood, a family.
Additionally, I have never been more connected to a place that I have never been to in person. Now, I believe that this connection, my connection to Israel, can never be broken.
Emily Schenkel just finished her first year at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she is majoring in communication studies and minoring in journalism. She spends her time on campus serving as vice president of Hillel, writing for the news section of the Niner Times, and working as a sports broadcast operator for student athletics. Outside of school and work, Emily loves cooking, playing board games, music, and spending time with her friends.
Stronger Than Hate by Tilly Raij
In “Stronger Than Hate,” Tilly writes about how, in a post-October 7th world, she has sought to show the world that Jewish love conquers all hate.
This past year has made me realize that hate really is a strong word. Hate puts the focus on our differences instead of our similarities and doesn’t lead to our problems being solved. I know there are people out there who would rather spread negativity towards Jews, and that’s why I will always have more pride in my Judaism than they have hate.
Since October 7th, I have worked to connect with other Jews around me and become more involved in my local Jewish community and youth groups. I have made sure to show my pride for my Judaism loudly. I love explaining Jewish traditions and holidays to my friends, telling them what the Hebrew on my necklace means, and answering questions about Judaism from people at my school. The biggest lesson I’ve learned after October 7th is that Jews are strong and resilient, we always have been, and our love will always conquer their hate.
Tilly Raij is a member of the class of 2028 at Winter Park High School in Winter Park, FL. She is on the yearbook and newspaper staff and also participates in HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir outside of school. She loves to read, write, and spend time with friends and family. In her free time, Tilly enjoys babysitting and listening to music in Hebrew, Spanish, and English.
The Surprising and Compelling Nature of How October 7th Has Forever Altered Our Society by Bailey Bevitz
In “The Surprising and Compelling Nature of How October 7th Has Forever Altered Our Society,” Bailey reflects on antisemitism on social media and the impact it had on her Zionist identity.
How can a singular event forever alter the social requirement to treat others with basic human decency?
On October 7th, 2023, thousands of Jews in diaspora watched in horror as Israel, the Jewish homeland, was engulfed with chaos and distress.
Since then, I’ve grown as a Jew and as a Zionist. Although I’m proud of my growth, I still wish things were different.
Bailey Bevitz is a member of the class of 2025 at Contra Costa Jewish Day School. She lives in both Pleasant Hill and Benicia, CA. Her interests are writing, playing volleyball, practicing gymnastics, and reading.
More Than Meets the Eye by Zoey Alzate
In “More Than Meets the Eye,” Zoey describes an encounter with a classmate who told Zoey she hated all Jews. Zoey describes how her identity remains strong, despite experiencing antisemitism.
That girl did not care, or perhaps she didn’t want to care, who I was other than the Jewish girl she saw me as.
I know who I am and no one can take that away from me.
I belong to this community, and this is where I will stay.
Zoey Alzate is a member of the class of 2027 at New Trier high school. She is on her school’s track and field team, and she loves to read books and watch Formula 1 in her free time!
The range of perspectives on this topic is never-ending, both within and beyond the essays showcased here. With each piece we read, we’ve had the opportunity to understand another person’s way of navigating the aftermath of October 7th, along with their unique relationship to Judaism. Whether you feel that this event strained or strengthened your sense of Jewish identity, we hope readers across the jGirls+ community are able to connect with some of the experiences shared in these essays. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their work with us through this contest, and to the readers who make jGirls+ the diverse, safe platform that it is.
The 2024-2025 Timely Department
Noa, Emmie, Sydney, Tova, Ella, and Aimée
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