Webinar: Why My Jewish Story Matters Hosted By Rachel Dratsh

The webinar “Why My Jewish Story Matters” was held as part of the “Power of Belonging” webinar series by ConnectED – the Global Educators Network for Jewish Peoplehood and Belonging.

?How to Tell My Jewish Story
Every one of us has a story—but we don’t always know how to tell it. Our personal Jewish story is not just a collection of memories and facts; it is a living tool that shapes our identity, our connection to the Jewish people, and the way we pass our heritage and its meaning forward.

This workshop was led by Rachel Dratsh, Director of the Global Department in the Education Division at ANU – Museum of the Jewish People. The session invites educators to re-examine their personal narrative as part of the broader story of the Jewish people, while acquiring practical tools for working with students and communities.

The activity itself is accessible, easy to implement, and suitable for participants of various ages—from high school and college students to parents and grandparents. It invites participants to reflect on the moments and stories that make up their Jewish identity and explore how to share them with different audiences. The conversations sparked by this process are often deep, meaningful, and sometimes surprising and enjoyable.

The workshop opens with several core assumptions: there is no single “correct” order to our story; it can change over time and be reshaped depending on the listener; and it can include complex and less-than-perfect moments. In fact, recognizing that our story includes both ups and downs is part of what allows us to develop personal and community resilience.

The activity’s strength lies in its simplicity. It can be revisited time and again over the years, allowing participants to re-evaluate their story, update it, and discover how their perspective evolves over time.