After October 7, embracing one’s Jewish roots meant exposing oneself to anti-Semitism.

A person removes a photo of Elijah Cohen from a poster that reads “Kidnapped from Israel” next to an encampment protesting the University of Washington’s relationship with Israel on the campus in Seattle, Washington, May 12, 2024. (Photo by Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

October 7, 2023 was a turning point in my life, reminding me of the responsibility that comes with my Jewish identity in a world where anti-Semitism is increasingly prevalent. It shook me to my core and gave me a new purpose. I still haven’t found it.

I have never felt a deep connection to my religion, but the terrorist attacks of that day forced me to confront my heritage and assert Israel’s right to exist and the right of Jewish self-determination in its ancestral homeland — the true definition of being a Zionist.

The attack on Israeli sovereignty, which claimed some 1,200 lives and took hundreds of hostages, some of whom remain in Hamas custody, shattered any illusions I had about being far from my Jewish roots.

No government is perfect, and like any country, Israel is far from perfect. Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of fraud, breach of trust, and other crimes. None of these alleged actions are forgivable, but they do not weaken our mission to protect the Jewish homeland.

As I have argued over the past few months, my personal encounters with anti-Semitism have only strengthened this resolve. I have recorded this on video. I have been called names like “Jew nose” and told “Work will set you free” and “Macht Frei” (Work will set you free), a reference to the signs held up by those who greeted innocent Jews at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz before they were killed in the gas chambers simply for being Jewish.

I had to call the police. When I watch the video, I really cannot believe what is happening, the names that I am being called, the accusations that are being made just because I am Jewish, I am flying the Israeli flag, I am defending the Jewish people and the hostages that are still in the hands of Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

I am not an apologist for Israel, and when the opportunity arises to engage in dialogue I will make it clear that while I acknowledge Israel’s many shortcomings, I fully support Israel’s right to self-determination in its ancestral homeland for the Jewish people.

I explain that I also support coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. This has been proposed and negotiated many times, but every time Israel has been attacked, war has been declared and Israel has successfully defended itself. I feel that the change that is needed will come from the people, not from the government. That is why I am flying the Israeli flag in Colorado and having conversations that will unite people, not divide them. My goal is to have conversations that will unite people and dispel a lot of the misinformation that has spread like wildfire since October 7th.

Being taunted with derogatory remarks and symbols evocative of Nazi atrocities for simply flying the Israeli flag shook me to my core but also strengthened my resolve. Being called an ad hominem name in Boulder, Colorado in 2024 was a wake-up call for me and inspired me to wear my Star of David with pride and join forces with like-minded people across Colorado and great organizations like Stop Antisemitism Colorado to fight bigotry and misinformation.

In the aftermath of October 7, I found solace in new friendships and purpose, and was fortunate to meet new friends whom I have come to treasure very much. Together, we have lobbied against anti-Israel sentiment in politics and successfully challenged ceasefire resolutions across the Front Range. We have also confronted and still confront illegal encampments, such as at my son’s school, the University of Denver, where I have personally witnessed what should not be happening. Jewish students are disproportionately affected by the encampments.

This is a journey with no known destination, but one defined by my unwavering support for the right of Jewish self-determination and my fervent desire for peace in Gaza. In my heart, I want peace, and those who have known me for a long time know that I truly do.

I am not against a ceasefire. One occurred on October 6th. For a ceasefire to happen at this point, Hamas must surrender and release the hostages. Hamas cannot be allowed to continue to rule and must be dismantled. There is much work to be done, and it must be done deliberately and carefully. But to begin this process, the hostages must be released now.