A TEDx talk: Why I made ‘I’m that Jew’

I recently had the great honor of being invited to a TEDx event in Zurich to talk about why I made my video, “I’m that Jew,” which went viral a few years ago and has since been seen around 6 million times on various platforms.

In the TEDxZüriberg talk, you’ll definitely see me baring my soul.

Standing on stage in front of an intimate audience, years after I completed the film, was deeply moving. I was able to re-live that whole period…to remember how it felt to read news of a horrific event, to hear a scared friend afraid to openly express her identity, to write from my heart, to make the movie, to proudly state my truth…and then witness as millions of others – Jews and non-Jews alike – followed suit and did the exact same thing by sharing my words.

I was reminded of how incredible it felt to touch so many people with something that came from the very depths of my soul. I remember the emotions sweeping through me as I sat alone in my room reading thousands of beautiful comments on my public Facebook page. I still get goosebumps when I read some of those comments because they raise me UP.

And I’m forever grateful. I honestly have a lot of people like you, reading here right now, to thank you for that. Watching how “I’m that Jew” went viral, and impacting so many people in a positive way was a profound experience and it’s one I’ll always treasure.

No matter who or what you are, I hope you continue to fight – yes fight, because it’s not easy – to shout from the rooftops and celebrate the story that is YOU.

Because, at the end of the day, while we’re all different, aren’t we all the same? And different. But the same? Jewish or not, I look forward to the day where we can all celebrate the diversity and beauty of who we are, and what makes each and every one of us unique. With good intentions. Without fear. Without shame. And certainly without apology.

No one should have to live in fear.
Don’t.

I hope my story resonates with you.

#imthatjew