Rachel Duthu……………………………………….12

Rachel Duthu

they/them

“All the odds were against me becoming Jewish. Growing up, I barely knew any Jewish people in my town, and I was raised very Catholic. As I began to form my own morals, I realized that they didn't really align with Catholicism in the way that I wanted to practice. So at 17, I took a big step back and decided to take time to discover where I felt called to. When I

found Judaism, the Jewish values resonated with me. I really like the idea that converts are born with the Jewish soul, and have to find their

way to Judaism to recognize that. I think being born and growing up Jewish is very beautiful, but I’ve loved being a convert because of the

individualization, knowledge, and understanding it fosters.

Outside of a lot of Jewish spaces, and the university space, I use they/ them pronouns and identify more on the non-binary spectrum. But, no

matter where or with whom I am socializing, I want people's experience with me to be defined by the kindness, listening skills, communication, and empathy I work hard to prioritize in any

interaction. These character traits are the most reflective of who I am and who I want to be, so how I relate to, or express my queerness is just an extension of these values. Acceptance of how God made me, and every other person, multifaceted and unique is just an extension of the kindness and understanding we should be treating everybody, including ourselves, with. In Jewish spaces, I allow my gender identity to shift. I think gender is more relevant in the secular world than it is within Judaism. Therefore, I am still authentically reflecting who I am because I am actively expressing what I believe are the most defining and relevant parts of my identity.“