Standing Out or Blending In? Passing vs Looking Jewish in Texts and Today

Hosted by Valley Beit Midrash, this session will explore the topic of Jewish identity and its public expression. The discussion will focus on the value and implications of being publicly identifiable as Jewish versus assimilating with non-Jewish appearances. Utilizing classical Jewish texts that discuss distinctive Jewish dress, the session will open up a broader conversation about the ethics of passing, self-identification, and the choices behind displaying or concealing one’s Jewishness or other identities. Participants will examine these themes through historical texts and personal reflection, questioning their own instincts and experiences in relation to these issues.