NOVEMBER 30 • 2023 | 19
said. “It’s how we view the
world because we’re taught
in the Jewish faith that
you do good now, you do
mitzvahs now, you give to
the world now. And a lot
of people don’t realize that.
We do good because it’s the
right thing to do.”
Austin van Uden says
the experience was “really
fun” and that he especially
wanted to spread his Jewish
pride because of everything
happening to Jews around
the world right now.
“Being Jewish means
everything to me,” he said.
His mom said she was
touched by the outpour-
ing of genuine interest in
their display. Parents and
students alike from many
different backgrounds were
asking about the menorahs,
the candles and had many
other great questions.
Some parents asked if the
van Udens had family in
Israel and conveyed their
support in this critical time.
She said the experience
made her appreciate the
people in her community,
who didn’t know much
about Judaism but still
showed love and support.
“They genuinely cared,
and it made me feel like
my husband and I chose
the right community to be
in, with different cultures,
religions and ethnicities,”
van Uden said. “Everybody
was so welcoming to what
our table was, that we were
Jewish, that we were proud
of it and we stand tall.
“I wear my Jewish star
every day. I will not cower.
I won’t back down. And I
want my son to be proud,
to love who he is, and to
know that being Jewish is
part of who he is.”
LEFT: The
van Udens’
display at
Kenbrook
Elementary.
BELOW:
Austin and
Shayna van
Uden.
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