JLI: The Jewish Identity Crisis No One Talks About

“You can’t be proud of something you don’t know.”

Maya Goldenberg shares her powerful and deeply personal journey of rediscovering her Jewish identity — from a childhood of shallow cultural references to finding meaning, purpose, and pride through Torah, Shabbat, and the Sinai Scholars program.

Growing up with parents from the former Soviet Union who were persecuted for being Jewish — but never taught what it meant to be Jewish — Maya asks the tough question: How can the next generation be proud Jews if they’ve never truly encountered Judaism?

Through honest reflection, experiences with antisemitism on campus, and transformative learning, Maya reveals how Jewish education and community gave her the strength to reclaim what was nearly lost.