Does it Matter?

I was seven years old when my family moved to Israel. I basically grew up surrounded by other Jews. Yes there was a sea murderous Arabs surrounding us and wanting to kill us but like most Israelis I did my best to push that to the back of my mind and not think about it. Thinking about it would drive you crazy. Sometimes I think that Israelis are masters of denial. It's an essential survival mechanism. 

When I came back to the US I found myself faced with a dilemma. For the first time in my life I was asking myself whether being Jewish mattered to me. I had long since stopped believing in "God" so what difference did it make? Why was I even asking myself the question?

I was asking myself the question because it did matter. Until then I always felt that people were people and it didn't matter. Being surrounded by non Jews for the first time I realized that there was a difference. It isn't something I can point to and say "that's it! That's the difference!" All I know is that it is there. And once again I think it's biological. 

My ancestors went through every type of persecution and died in droves to keep our identity alive. 

It definitely does matter.

I don't believe in "God" but I am Jewish through and through.