Ilana, Psychology, Sophomore
"I won’t hide who I am just to feel safe—it’s a choice to be both proud and cautious."
Ilana has always felt her Jewish heritage pulse within her, a steady rhythm of tradition and community that shapes her sense of self. At AU, she chose to keep this aspect of her identity vibrant, surrounded by a supportive, progressive Jewish community that resonated with her values. But one incident left her shaken: when swastikas were discovered in her dorm hall, she found herself questioning whether it was safe to express her identity openly.
Ilana has always felt her Jewish heritage pulse within her, a steady rhythm of tradition and community that shapes her sense of self. At AU, she chose to keep this aspect of her identity vibrant, surrounded by a supportive, progressive Jewish community that resonated with her values. But one incident left her shaken: when swastikas were discovered in her dorm hall, she found herself questioning whether it was safe to express her identity openly.
Her roommate, also Jewish, cautioned her to be discreet, but for Ilana, this was not a matter of safety alone—it was about protecting an essential part of who she is. She began wearing her Jewish star necklace with renewed purpose, a quiet rebellion against fear and misunderstanding.
Misinterpreted as political, the star instead speaks to Ilana of resilience, family, and a heritage she won’t abandon. Her message to the AU community is one of courage and introspection: hold close to your roots, but don’t close off others’ perspectives. For Ilana, AU is a place to nurture both self and community.