When my friend and mentor Amy Holtz sent a newsletter with that title, she was talking about leadership in business. But as soon as I read it, my mind went to something deeper. I thought about us.

I see many Jews today moving through this moment with fear. Fear of backlash. Fear of social cost. Fear of saying the wrong thing or standing alone. Underneath it all is a quieter fear: what happens if I show up as myself? I feel this myself, in small, everyday moments.

I am an Israeli American. When people ask where I’m from, the reaction now is often different. Sometimes it’s indifferent, sometimes cautious, sometimes there’s a pause that wasn’t there before. Even speaking Hebrew in public has made me wonder if it could cause a problem.

Still, I always answer honestly. I say who I am and where I come from with pride. I believe in my people and my country, and I will not let others define them. Fear........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)