ABSTRACT
Thinking about and writing about my Jewish identity has been quite a challenging and rewarding process. My relationship with Judaism has changed and developed throughout my life, and I don't feel as if the journey is over yet. For me, one of the important themes that has remained consistent is one of affiliation and alienation, the feeling of being an “outsider” yet connected at the same time. That theme, more than any other, may have influenced my decision to become a clinical psychologist. As a therapist, I must always remain an outsider to my patients in some fundamental ways. But the connection between us is nevertheless extremely powerful.
