Benedictine Institute Essay Contest 2012

They say "You are what you eat." Before even considering what I eat, who am I?

During fall semester of my sophomore year, a photographer from the student newspaper, The Record, approached me among some of my friends in the Reef during dinnertime. Oblivious to what he was going to ask us, we didn't give him any recognition. Instantly, he blurted out, "Do any of you guys want to be in The Record? All you have to do is give me one quote." Many of my friends at the table jumped to the occasion, yet I hesitated and asked, "What's the quote for?"

He responded, "You know they say, 'You are what you eat.' So which of your favorite foods best describes your personality and why?"

How could I pass up this opportunity? I could have my words and face in the newspaper. I thought hard trying to think of something creative. I thought of clichés such as a mango since I am tough skinned, sweet on the inside, with a hard inner core. That didn't fit. I wanted to be more creative. I can't say what sparked my next idea, but I knew it was unique and matchless. It described me perfectly.

With a smirk, I finally replied to his question, "I'd say matzo, because I am skinny and Jewish."

(For those that are not familiar with matzo; it is unleavened bread traditionally eaten by Jews during the weeklong holiday of Passover.)

He snapped a photo of me, we went our ways, and our encounter was already out of my mind.

Little did I know, that trivial quote would re-enter my thoughts and life three days later when The Record was published. It opened a doorway for understanding. I realized I was a student at a Benedictine school.

As a Jew attending a Catholic institution, I always thought it was normal. It's what I know. Being Jewish rarely comes up in conversation and I am seldom reminded of it. The Abbey Bell Banner is no longer an unfamiliar sight. The monks are no longer strangers. I am a part of a community accepting me for who I am. However, from my response in The Record, I learned that people didn't know who I was.

The first person to notice my quote was my roommate. Next was one of my professors. Later it moved on to puzzled acquaintances stopping me in my path to class asking, "Wait, so you're actually Jewish?" I couldn't tell if it was a good or bad kind of puzzled. I would get questions ranging from, "Why do you come to a Catholic school if you're Jewish?" to "Do you ever feel out of place?" But I could never fully respond to those questions. I could only answer that it just feels right here.

I continued with my day-to-day tasks thinking nothing of these run-ins with peers. Yet, I was reminded daily of my out-of-the-closet Judaism. I couldn't get away from it. I had roommates, friends, and even professors asking me questions about my Judaism and my decision to attend this university. More and more, I realized that the people I encountered were genuinely intrigued once they discovered that my foundation was not Christianity. They wanted to learn more. As Benedictine college students, we are taught to learn more. Friends were both accepting and curious. From this, I felt more comfortable asking them about their foundation of Christianity. Conversations, especially between one of my theology professors and I, dug deeper than a coalmine. Because I wasn't raised Christian, I look at religion and Christianity from a different understanding. But in the end, I learned that the foundation isn't that much different.

I uncover what is Benedictine in many areas, whether in my Men's Spirituality group, with my faculty resident, or in one of my theology classes. After gaining the courage to accept my Judaism at a Benedictine Catholic university, I began to tell people about my faith who at first scared me but now who I cherish - my theology professors. The door to my acceptance and completeness widened. Rather than indulging in chocolate, I spoiled myself in conversation with my one of my theology professors. Sometimes, I had to sit on my hands since I had so many questions. For example, I asked, "What's different between Jews and Catholics?" And more personally, "Do you view me differently?" Sometimes, I wasn't able to have my questions answered. Other times, we segued into topics nowhere related to religion. The bottom line is that I needed to know more. Curiosity may kill the cat, but it won't kill me. It only allows me to meet more people. To understand myself. To understand others. I began to eliminate superficial relationships and invest in authenticity.

At this university, I am allowed an open investigation of spirituality, no matter what religion I am. It is my investigation through interactions between my roommates, professors, and work supervisors. It is a personalized education. However, it is not solely academics, but conversation within a community. I learned through these exposing interactions that I am educating myself for today to apply tomorrow for the benefit of humanity and myself. I am not only heightening my sensitivity to other foundations at CSB/SJU; yet as a Benedictine student, I offer a different point of view.

I was no longer labeled a non-practicing Catholic, but a practicing Jew. I finally felt fully accepted into this community after honestly sharing about myself. We are all part of an increasingly global world. I have brought not only matzo, but also a different perspective to this community. I learn from others and others from me. As a college student enrolled in a Benedictine university I am a member on the same footing, no matter the religion, practicing with mutual love and respect.

By stating one of my favorite foods, it was a great reminder of how diversity is interpreted and constructed here - through genuine intrigue. I've learned that even though I attend a Catholic institution, my Jewish faith is still important. It is a part of my values and makes me unique in a way that I can contribute to a fuller community. But now, after four years studying at CSB/SJU, I have added to this ever-changing global world. I am a Jewish Benedictine student. I have fully embraced where I come from and who I will be.

I never would have guessed that something Jewish would open my eyes to a Benedictine understanding. Now that I've found my place as a college student at CSB/SJU, it's your turn. What do you eat?