Edmond Fleg wrote Why I Am a Jew as a letter to his unborn grandson. It is his beautifully written and poetic account of what it means to live as a Jew - not by birth alone, but by choice, responsibility and conviction. First published in 1927, it reflects the impact of the Dreyfus Affair and rising antisemitism in France, but its message is not limited by time or faith. “I am a Jew because in every place where suffering weeps, I weep… I am a Jew because at every time when despair cries out, I hope.” We recommend it for Yom Kippur because it speaks about responsibility, belonging, and morality. It’s a wonderful essay to read on your own, or to share with children and grandchildren — and its questions will be familiar to anyone who has asked how to live well, care for others, or stay true to what matters.