Asata Rothblatt

she/her

"Growing up in the conservative South, navigating my mixed-race background as three-quarters white and a quarter African American, I never felt I belonged to any community, including my Jewish identity. As a result, I constantly questioned if I was "Jewish enough." I felt like an outsider, as there was little appreciation for celebrating my identity.

Being both African American and Jewish, I am acutely aware of the deep-rooted trauma experienced by my ancestors due to the hardships they endured. However, I've always been proud of my Jewish identity, primarily due to my great-grandmother, a remarkable woman respected by my entire family. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago, but her legacy lives on. She always expressed her desire for me to have my Bat Mitzvah, but I have chosen to wait until I am fully prepared, wanting to approach this milestone with complete understanding and alignment of my heart and mind. Though her absence is bittersweet, I'm committed to honoring her legacy and making her proud.

During high school, I enrolled in a boarding school where I started attending regular Shabbat services. Given my limited Jewish connections and the fact that I hadn't experienced a Bat Mitzvah, it took me some time to gather the courage to participate. However, joining those services became a life-changing experience, despite not understanding all the prayers. The sense of joy and belonging I felt there was indescribable. Unfortunately, COVID shorted my time at that school, and I had to switch to another high school.

However, upon arriving in Ithaca, I reconnected with Shabbat and found a sense of belonging within the Jewish community despite harboring insecurities about my Jewish identity. The warmth and understanding I felt during Shabbat services were unlike anything I had experienced since attending my first Shabbat. I've found solace in coming together, praying, and being among others who truly understand me in ways that no one from my upbringing did.

By celebrating holidays such as Shabbat and Passover, I can genuinely connect with my ancestor's struggles and acknowledge the privileges I have today. As a child, I remember long Passover evenings, spending hours with my family reading from the Haggadah. It could be draining for a young child. But now, it brings me immense joy and a spirit of celebration. It reminds me of the ongoing work we must do to create a better future, and this connection holds a profound healing power for me."