Growing Up Jewish in Charlotte Today

Charlotte Jewish News December 2021

By Liza Simon When I was asked to write about my experience growing up Jewish, I immediately remembered an incident back in kindergarten. “Who’s excited for Rosh Hashanah?” 5-year-old me asked while standing on a chair during snack time at Beverly Woods Elementary. The blank stares and confused smiles I saw on my classmates’ faces were the fi rst of many I have received over the years. Later that day I went home and asked my mom why she was sending me to a “Christian school.” Although I don’t recall her response, I am pretty sure she just laughed at the question.

Growing up attending Charlotte Jewish Preschool (CJP), I always thought everyone else was Jewish. As I entered public school, this view from my childhood shifted. I started to see that not celebrating Christmas and not getting a visit from the Easter bunny was something I needed to feel ashamed of. At school around the holiday time, we would make paper snowmen and watch Christmas movies. I felt uncomfortable, and for a long time, I was not brave enough to speak up and share about my religion. One teacher in kindergarten though was also Jewish. Around Christmastime, she decided to plan an assembly for the school and teach about Hanukkah. Knowing I was Jewish, she asked me if I would assist her. A couple of weeks later, I found myself sitting in the library with the rest of my classmates facing a large blow-up menorah. I was excited to teach the others about Hanukkah and was glad I no longer had to feel diff erent from everyone else.

That time in kindergarten was when I began to embrace my religion. In second grade, we had an assignment for Thanksgiving. We were supposed to take home a picture of a cartoon turkey and decorate it to make it look like something that represents our life. I chose to make mine a rabbi. When I brought my turkey to school a few days later, I had the chance to share with my classmates about Judaism again; I received an A on my project.

Although I have had some good experiences at school, there have been other times when I did not want to feel diff erent. I wanted to come to school wearing my Christmas pajamas like the other kids in my class. I have been asked some uncomfortable questions about Judaism by my classmates at school. For exam- ple, “Are you Hannukah?” and “Do you speak Jewish?” I never knew how to respond when asked these questions. I would usually just roll my eyes and walk away. As an active temple member and frequent participant in services, I learned to embrace and truly understand Judaism. I’ve spent much of my life preparing for and studying Torah, so when I had my bat mitzvah, the lessons prepared me to appropriately respond to those uncomfortable questions.

When I started training for my bat m itzvah, I further realized how remarkable our religion is. By researching my Torah portion, I learned many things about my ancestors. Since my bat mitzvah, I have felt more connected to Judaism. At Temple Israel, I have had the opportunity to sing on many occasions. One such time was on Rosh Hashanah singing “Modim” (which in Hebrew means “thank you”) with Cantor Lissek. It was heartwarming to me, and I was grateful for my connection to God and to my community. The major Jewish holidays always help strengthen that bond.

At home, I have always celebrated the Jewish holidays with my extended family. We have cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who come from all over the East Coast to share the special occasion together. It is a memorable time, and I am glad that I have my religion to bring me closer to my family. As a Jewish teen, I also enjoy Hebrew school and the Shalom Park community.

When I spoke with one of my Hebrew school classmates, we discussed the opportunities we have at Hebrew High — making connections with other Jewish teens and strengthening the relationships we already have. We also get the chance to bond over similar experiences and stories. I have made lots of new Jewish friends and am excited to continue to learn and grow within the Jewish community.

Liza Simon is an eighth grader at Carmel Middle School. She belongs to Temple Israel. On the weekends, she enjoys playing tennis and hanging out with friends.