Eventually, I felt as if The Holy Blessed One had nudged me out of my rest, telling me that I’d stayed there long enough: that my destiny as a Jew awaited me.

As someone who is half-Filipino and half-Hispanic and grew up in a diverse Dallas, TX neighborhood, I never gave much thought to the politics of skin color and how that affected me – at least not until I entered the Jewish community.

I don’t exactly fit the

Malachi’s parents regale me with what they most enjoy about being Jews: the gift of Shabbat, the beauty of interweaving music, study, and prayer, and the devotion to God through devotion to others.

People are often shocked that I found Judaism despite being raised by Christians, being Black, and inheriting the memory of Jim Crow - but my life has been a perfect balance of pain and privilege.

What do you do when you’re Jewish, but your name doesn’t “sound” Jewish?

Almost one year ago, the Knesset started the crisis by passing a bill in its first reading that would only recognize conversions performed in Israel under the auspices of the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate.

Marques Hollie talks to us about the Passover performance piece he created called “Go Down Moshe," at the intersection of “the shared otherness of American Jews and people of color.” 

My husband, along with millions and billions of other people, doesn’t celebrate Christmas, but I never thought my children wouldn’t celebrate it.