Being different can be difficult, especially if you’re from a different culture than the mainstream. Whether it’s at school, in the neighborhood, or in the world, often times  Jews are often in the minority. 

“I’m the only Jewish person a lot of kids here meet,” said Elisha Strecker, a journalism teacher at Eureka High School. “I feel it’s important that they understand some things about [Judaism].”

Strecker feels the need to educate her students about her religion. Many of the students who attend Eureka High School do not come in contact with Jews.     

“It gets frustrating. I’m fighting battles my mom fought while I was in elementary school,” Strecker said. “I was going to be on the District Calendar Committee, and then, two of the six dates were on the Jewish High Holidays.”

Although it is preferable that public school districts stay away from scheduling events that conflict with holidays and important dates for all religious groups, some do not. When a school district has a majority of one religion, it tends to show the most support for those students and families. 

“On Christmas, [many students at school] are all so excited and are like, ‘What did you get?’ or ‘What are you going to get?’ and then [I say], ‘I already got something for Hanukkah,’” Parkway West High School sophomore Zachary Poscover said.

This appears to be a common problem for many Jewish students. Occasionally, they might get lucky, and Hanukkah and Christmas fall around the same time as they do this year, but when they do not, it can create some jealousy or sadness. Some schools even put up trees and lights inside their buildings around the holidays.

“Maybe five students in every grade are Jewish [at Parkway West],” Zachary said. “[Other students] will just assume you know something, but really you don’t.”

 When you are outnumbered at your school, it is important to still connect with those who have common interests and beliefs. There are a number of ways to get involved in the Jewish community. 

Youth groups, such as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO), North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), and United Synagogue Youth (USY) are all very popular ways for Jewish teens to meet other young people of their faith. 

“I do BBYO,” Parkway Central High School freshman Emma Cantor said. “I am on the board, so I take specific responsibilities and leadership jobs.” 

Many of these youth groups come with opportunities to connect with other Jews in a Jewish environment, through special events, sometimes in different cities and states. For younger Jewish kids, Jewish summer camps provide a similar experience. At places like these, they may meet friends who are experiencing the same issues at school as they are, including being in a very small minority. 

It’s cool to be in a community that is very close and always having a place to go,” Zachary said.