My mom took me to the second hand store, 

Where I roamed the aisles 

Unsatisfied by the lack of conformity.

The clothes did not resemble the brands I was taught to marvel.

 

On the first day of class my first year of high school

My classmate told me that Jewish people are

Cheap. 

Stingy. 

Selfish. 

But my Jewish family was not religious. 

I decided that I was not Jewish enough to care. 

 

You taught me pride.

I wear my chai not just for luck, but because I am Jewish.

I am unwilling to conform. 

I am not a slave to the labels that brand my peers. 

You gave me confidence:

I will take risks,

And even when I fail

I feel safe knowing you are there. 

 

But I am here, too. 

I am here for your struggles, 

For your lessons learned. 

I hope you embrace what makes you vulnerable 

And take pride in your identity.

 

I hope that you see strength in me when

you feel powerless. 

I hope you find power in who you are

as you are so very

Strong.