“Don’t ask where I am from, ask where I am local”

25 years old native Houstonian

I consider myself a local of the following communitiesSurrounding neighborhoods off of Braeswood and Chimney Rock rd. Tel Aviv, IsraelHISD Reformed “Hippy” Jewish Community/Congregation Emanuel

HoustonJohnston Middle School & Bellaire High School Greene Family Camp located in Bruceville-Eddy, TexasHouston Community CollegeUniversity of Houston & the GCSWCohort 2 & Fall 2015 AdmitsP.A.I.R. Houston (Partnership for the Advancement & Immersion of

Refugees)Las Americas Newcomer SchoolConflicted Vegetarians who love Sushi

How do I identify myself? What is my cultural Identity?

First and foremost I am a citizen of the world

I am human

Love is my religion (corny, I know) , but I was raised in a reformed Jewish Household

I do not identify as Jewish, more like Jew-ish. I would consider myself Jewish in the cultural sense more than anything, my Jew-pride is complex, but it is there.

My spirituality is influenced by multiple belief systems, I cannot place limits on these things, that is just not how I am wired. For me, a belief/practice/value either resonates or it doesn’t

This was my first trip to the Western Wall in Israel and abroad in general, I was 16 years old. It changed me forever because my world became so much bigger

My (Multi)cultural identity

My identity is not only a reflection of me, but of those I share and have shared my life with, as well as of all things in life I love and inspire me. I do not exclusively identify with any one community, culture, language, or nation alone.

I see no trouble with the way I identify, that is the beauty of diversity (and awesome parents) and freedom to choose what is best for oneself

“I have left my heart in so many places”

My multicultural identity is extremely important to me, and has a considerable amount of influence now more so than ever given the state of our world and my SW identity/role(s)

SW allows me to help bridge the gaps between people that continue to prevent balance and peace around the world

Values & Value tensionsThe highest held beliefs or values that I was taught were to be kind, be openminded, forgive, be patient, “give back” or “pay it forward”, respect diversity or differences, and you better respect history and your elders. Be honest with yourself and others.

Examples of value tensions that exist for me within my own culture(s) include:

Feeling guilty that I feel weird saying I am Jewish sometimes given that I only feel Jew-Ish

Expressive views/opinions & Being respectful

(Choosing my battles & Understanding my audience)

\The Weingartens

My Mama

We go way back

Some Jews on Christmas Eve

Privilege• Examples of privileges experienced in my culture(s) include

but are not limited to the following:

• -Access to higher education

• -White privilege in general (it will always hurt to admit that is reality)

• -Privilege is having a police officer for a father that uses his privilege for good not evil

• -Privilege is having choices for Lunch and having Lunch at all

• -Privilege looks like the roof over my head and running drinkable water

• -Privilege looks like being an educated female

• -Privilege looks like being heterosexual in this day and age

• -Privilege is knowing my options and having feasible access to resources such as legal aid and healthcare

• Privilege comes in so many different forms, I could go on forever…

Since I was in high school it was my dad begging me to consider Social Work

Limitations related to Culture(s)

Jewish stereotype: People tend to assume you are wealthy (which is not even a little bit true for my family, all hail the coinstar!)

Jewish stereotype: All Jews are greedy and money-hungry (Which is clearly not true given my career path )

Some people may think I am unintelligent because I am blonde, thanks America!

Some people may assume that because I am white female that I do not know any form of struggle or experience forms of racism or prejudice

People may assume that because I am Jewish I blindly support Israel (NOPE)

People may assume that because I am Jewish, that I do not like or support Muslim people (NOPE, AGAIN)