What life is like for a Jewish girl in LA after October 7

What people don’t understand about October 7 is that for most Jews, what happened “over there” in Israel deeply affected us here.Even in school.Not just because of close family and religious ties to Israel, but because of the wave of antisemitism we’ve had to face.Ever since Oct.

7, 2023, my mornings seem to start the same way: My mom and I discuss the news about another tragedy happening to Jewish people around the world.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.A shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia; a violent takeover of the Columbia University library where my older sister was studying; or a terrorist attack at a temple in Michigan.

Then I go to school like any other student.But being a Jewish student for the past three years has not been like being any other student.Everyone scrolls past the same headlines on Instagram: “Rockets launched into Israel.” “Shooting at local synagogue.” “3 Dead in the West Bank.” My cousins live in Israel.

One of my cousins, drafted into the military like everyone else, was posted in the West Bank, where the Israeli military has been trying to keep another front from opening.For me, these aren’t just headlines.

They’re reality.My friends see them, maybe feel bad, and keep scrolling.

I can’t.I see them and feel queasy the rest of the day.

When I read that there was a shooting at a synagogue, I wonder, “What if I know someone there?” or “What if my synagogue is next?”Being a Jewish student after October 7th means living with a constant fear of showing who you are.I live in LA, home to one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel, and even here, many of my friends are afraid to wear religious jewelry or mention their Jewish identity to teachers and peers.I’m outspoken about being Jewish ...