I was born into an American-Israeli family and my upbringing in a multilingual household. From an early age, I was surrounded by English, Hebrew, and Yiddish, the languages spoken by my parents and many of my relatives. Language was not only a way of communicating in our home but also a connection to our family’s history, culture, and traditions. My father grew up in Borough Park, a religious neighborhood in Brooklyn known for its strong Jewish community. My mother was raised in Mea Shearim, a religious neighborhood in Jerusalem with deep historical and cultural roots. Although they grew up on different continents, both were shaped by close-knit communities, religious traditions, and strong family values.
My Time in Israel
The story of my family extends far beyond New York and Jerusalem. My grandparents came from immigrant backgrounds, seeking opportunities and building new lives in the United States and Israel. Their journeys were driven by hope, determination, and a desire to create a better future for the generations that would follow. Even further back, my great-grandparents experienced some of the darkest events of the twentieth century. As Holocaust survivors, they endured persecution, loss, and unimaginable hardship during the rise of Nazi Germany and World War II. After the war, they sought safety and refuge, rebuilding their lives in the United States and Israel. Their resilience and perseverance left a lasting impact on my family’s story.
Growing up in South Florida, specifically the vibrant cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, further shaped my perspective in unique ways. I was raised in a close-knit Jewish religious community and attended Jewish private schools for most of my life. While I appreciated the sense of tradition and community, my experience wasn’t always easy. I struggled with bullying throughout my childhood, which made those years difficult and often left me feeling isolated, even within my own community.
As I reached adolescence, these challenges led me to question and reevaluate my relationship with religion. Gradually, I began moving away from strict religious observance, finding myself drawn more toward a secular or reform approach to Judaism. This transition was not easy, but it became an important part of my personal growth. Through this journey, I developed a stronger sense of self and learned to find my own place and voice. These lessons would later guide me through my internship and beyond.
The values passed down through generations—resilience, gratitude, and an appreciation for opportunity—continued to influence my identity and choices as I navigated my own path in life, even as my perspective evolved.
New Chapter at NYU
Leaving South Florida to go to college in New York City at nineteen at Pace University in the Financial District was something I’ve been wanting to do since I was a teenager. I fell in love with how big the city was compared to the small tight-knit neighborhood I grew up in my whole life. I didn’t realize at the time that this actually would be one of the setbacks that would’ve affected my conscious thinking and survival instinct at the time. After fifteen months of systematic psychological mental health battles, I was able to finally transfer to a different college, NYU. There I have been given the ability to heal and to finally have the experience I deserved as a child and in my adolescence. At NYU, within the first week I finally had a guy friend like me who could understand me and who wanted to be my friend. Ultimately, transferring changed my life, I found my place in this world with peace and a community at last.
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By Aaron Newman
Aaron Newman is an Education Studies major minoring in Digital Studies. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, he writes about relationships, entertainment and fashion. He also writes about the hardship and being optimistic about his struggles and looking forward to the present and future.
