Yep, I’m That Jew
Somewhere in the blur of time following October 7th, 2023 I became aware of Eitan Chitayat’s social media movement I’m That Jew. The reimagined images of Jewish actors, comedians, singers, activists and more, each characterized with their own catchy tagline, immediately resonated with me.
Some feature well-known figures of the past (“Albert Einstein: that I’ve got a theory Jew”), while others highlight those new on the scene lending their voices to the cause (“Lindsay Pinchuk: that stands for zero hate Jew”). They’re all unique individuals with one simple thing in common: they’re loud and proud. Jews (and honorary Jews) who aren’t afraid to speak out and stand up for what’s right.
Eitan actually conceived I’m That Jew long before October 7th. Listening to a recent podcast episode of Here I Am with Shai Davidai, I learned that Eitan initially wrote I’m That Jew as a letter to a friend in 2014 as a reminder that nobody else gets to define us. The following year he recorded the words and turned it into a 6-minute video that went viral. The vibrant images of branded activists that have enriched my Instagram feed over the last year evolved from this letter as a continuation of Eitan’s effort to restore our humanity, one character trait at a time.
In his conversation with Shai, Eitan said: “What I love about I’m That Jew is that now people are starting to own it in their own way. When I make the banners that I’ve made or the animated posters, it’s about other people—it’s about celebrating the other. But it’s also providing people with a tool to jumpstart how they would talk about their own Jewish identity. So I hope that people continue to do that.”
I’m That Jew isn’t just a nice social media campaign. In the hostile and antisemitic environment we’re currently living in, there’s an indisputable need for each of us to have pride in our Jewish identity. Eitan explained, “To me, October 8th introduced the Jewish community to the silence of our own voices. This is what happens when we are afraid to say who we are. We have a beautiful story and we’re misunderstood. So there’s a need to be understood right now.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Shai began his podcast with the same question he asks at the top of every episode: “Eitan Chitayat, what kind of a Jew are you?” Ironically, the man who’s spent the last decade branding the Jewish people had a difficult time answering this question when it came to himself. He eventually concluded, “I’m Eitan…I’m a little bit of everything.”
Eitan, if I may…
You’re that inspires us to be loud and proud Jew.
That won’t let others hijack our narrative Jew.
That writer who gets to the heart of it Jew.
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As for me? I’m that disappointed with the world but still hopeful Jew.
I’m disappointed with the number of people who’ve failed to embrace moral clarity and the impulse to speak up.
I’m disappointed with the level of hate and stupidity that seems to sit so comfortably with so many.
I’m disappointed that Jews have been conveniently excluded from the sympathy and common sense afforded to every other group or conflict. Frustrated that our cause is deemed too complicated or controversial, when actually it’s not at all.
I’m disappointed with the lack of acknowledgement from my friends, remembering clearly the support I offered them in their times of need. Let down when I realize, other than a couple check-ins immediately after October 7th, I haven’t received a single, “Hey…what’s happening is awful and I want you to know I’ve got your back” in the 16 months of daily pain that has followed.
But still—I’m hopeful.
I see the incredible people who refuse to sit back and accept the fate others have determined for us. I see those who are using their voice (in whatever way they know how) to fight back…and I have faith our future will be bright.
I see people starting to wake up and realize they’ve been duped by terrorists, and I think maybe, just maybe, the tides are starting to turn.
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I’m that writer who found her voice standing up for our people Jew.
Words have never flowed more easily than when I’ve written about navigating life after October 7th. Once I got past the utter shock (first from the attack itself, and then from the world’s absurd and unjust reaction to it), I’ve found it cathartic to write about my experiences during this time.
Maybe it’s my chosen form of therapy, or perhaps my stubborn inability to tolerate us being painted in such a false and negative light. Whatever the reason, I seem to have found my voice. And if it’s helping even a little bit, I’m going to use it.
I’m that Jewish mother Jew.
I speak up because my children deserve a better world than the one we’re currently living in. I’ll pass on the beautiful traditions of our people and teach my kids to be proud of who they are. I’ll prepare them to stand up for themselves, because I’m no longer naive to the fact that this could happen again in their lifetime. And I’ll be sure they know, even though it required a little extra chutzpah, they’ve got a mom who didn’t stay silent.
Yep, I’m that Jew.
What kind of Jew are you?
Follow Eitan Chitayat on Instagram @eitanchitayat_words and learn more at imthatjew.com
A version of this op-ed originally appeared in the Times of Israel blogs.
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Date: February 11, 2025
