The kippah in his pocket: Don’t hide your Judaism, you never know who needs to see it - opinion

In Perth, Australia, a rabbi's simple act of wearing his kippah during an intensive residential course sparked a profound moment of connection and emboldened another Jewish participant to embrace his identity. The story, shared by the rabbi's father, Jonathan Lieberman, centers on a young man who, initially hesitant to wear his kippah, did so after seeing the rabbi openly display his faith.

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He did not normally wear it. He had not felt comfortable wearing it there. But now that somebody else was wearing one, he said, he would wear his too.

During the three-week course, which involved long days outdoors and limited sleep, the rabbi ensured he had kosher food, often relying on airline meals. He wore his kippah throughout, even as other participants engaged in activities on Shabbat. He and the other Jewish participant sang "Lecha Dodi," a song welcoming the Sabbath, while walking through the Australian bush, an act described as a "purer act of Jewish defiance."

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Two Jews walking through the Australian bush, welcoming the Shabbat bride in the only way available to them. I cannot think of a purer act of Jewish defiance in a long time.

The non-Jewish participants observed the rabbi's commitment to Shabbat observance. Instead of mockery, they offered support, assisting him with tasks he could not perform himself due to religious restrictions. This mutual respect fostered a bond built on acknowledging and accommodating each other's identities. Following the course, the young man who had initially hidden his kippah baked challah and sent the rabbi a photograph, thanking him for helping him reclaim his Jewish identity.

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The non-Jewish participants noticed. They watched this young rabbi stay committed to the strictures of Shabbat observance and, instead of mockery, they offered to assist him by, for instance, carrying the bags he was not permitted to carry.