“What Type of Jew Am I?” — And Why That Question Feels So Heavy Right Now

Hannah Kanter
Jul 29
2 min read

In recent months some of us have been faced with a question: what type of Jew am I?

In 2015, Eitan Chitayat made a video "I'm that Jew" that sparked a movement showcasing that there is not just one type of Jew.

In the past year, Jonah Platt has interviewed guests of all stripes, highlighting again that there is a variety of ways to be Jewish on his podcast ‘Being Jewish with Jonah Platt.’

And Shai Davidai starts his weekly podcast with the question: “what type of Jew are you?”

It may not have been a question you asked yourself until October 7th.

Now, in a world steeped with antisemitism, many are contemplating their answer.

Many Jews who previously felt that their Judaism wasn’t a big part of their lives have found their Jewishness come alive since October 7th.

If you grew up secular, you might not know what to do with that feeling.

I’ve had clients tell me they want to participate in Jewish life but don’t know how to or feel insecure about gaps in their Jewish knowledge.

Some feel fearful of judgement or feeling uncomfortable, so they don’t even try to join a Jewish community. They feel isolated from a world that’s turned against them AND without an understanding community to turn to.

One thing we can promise you is this: no matter what type of a Jew you are, your anxieties are likely the same.

We all want to live as safely and securely as Jews, freely, without persecution. This is anxiety shared from generation to generation and is deep within your Jewish soul.

If you've been feeling alone, confused, or internally cycling through the question, "What type of Jew am I?" please know you're not alone. Help for Anxious Jews was created with all of this in mind—a space where you don’t need to prove your Jewishness, perform it a certain way, or even define it at all.

You just get to show up.

Whether you’re newly curious, deeply connected, or still sorting through it all—there’s a seat for you here. A space to name what’s hard, ground your nervous system, and be in community with others navigating the same chaos.

No gatekeeping. No shame. No pressure to have it all figured out.