Rediscovering Jewish Identity: Ilana’s Journey Through Service and Leadership

Ilana Pond’s (she/her) connection to Judaism has always been part of her story, but her path to fully embracing it has not been straightforward. Growing up in a Jewish family, she was surrounded by rich traditions – Friday night Shabbat dinners, youth group activities, and regular synagogue visits. Yet, as a child, Ilana didn’t always feel connected.

“I was the classic Hebrew school dropout,” she recalls. “Every Wednesday, I’d dread going. I even hid behind a bush once to avoid it. I loved being part of a Jewish family, but the way I was being taught didn’t resonate with me.”

Her relationship with Judaism began to shift years later during college. Through Hillel, Ilana found a supportive community that made her feel welcome. “That was when I realized Judaism isn’t about being told what to believe – it’s about asking questions and finding your own meaning,” she explains. “For the first time, I felt like I could explore my Jewish identity on my own terms.”

Ilana (left) and volunteers organizing food donations to support their community.

Ilana’s Jewish identity grew stronger when she joined Repair the World as a service corps member in 2022. At a time when she was searching for purpose, Repair provided her with a way to align her passion for service with her Jewish values.

“Service has always been my greatest passion,” she says. “When I joined Repair, I realized how seamlessly Jewish values align with the work I care about. It was the missing piece I’d been searching for.”

As a corps member, Ilana worked on meaningful projects addressing critical issues like social justice, including her time with UCAN Chicago, where she served youth experiencing trauma, such as those in foster care or with incarcerated parents. She volunteered at their therapeutic day school, painted murals, and even helped create a mindfulness room in their residential home. These experiences brought Jewish values to life, showing her what it means to put them into action. “Repair didn’t just talk about Jewish values – it showed how to live them,” she says. “It helped me see that Judaism isn’t just about belief; it’s about what you do for others.”

Her time as a service corps member was so impactful that she later joined the Repair the World Chicago team,  where she now leads the very program that helped her reconnect with her Jewish identity. “I’ve come full circle,” she shares. “As a corps member, I felt like I was finding my place in the Jewish world. Now, I get to help others find theirs.”

In her role, Ilana mentors young adults as they navigate their own Jewish journeys. She draws from her personal experience, showing how service can be a powerful way to connect with Jewish identity. “Judaism isn’t just about rituals or rules – it’s about showing up for your community and creating a sense of belonging. That’s what I try to help others see.”

Ilana facilitating a meaningful program during National Days of Jewish Service, bringing volunteers together through learning and action.

Ilana’s journey with Repair has also inspired her to reconnect with other aspects of Jewish life. She’s recommitted to learning Hebrew, working with her teacher, Fran Pearlman, who Ilana connected with through the Jewish Learning Collaborative to relearn the letters and even read without vowels. “If you’d told me in Hebrew school that I’d willingly pick it up again, I wouldn’t have believed you,” she jokes. “But now, it feels like a way to reclaim a piece of my identity.”

Through Repair, Ilana has discovered that Judaism is dynamic, evolving, and deeply tied to action and storytelling. “What I love about Judaism is its adaptability,” she reflects. “It grows with you and offers so many ways to connect – through service, history, culture, and community.”

For Ilana, leading the service corps isn’t just a job; it’s a calling.

“Repair helped me build a bridge between who I was and who I want to be,” she says. “Now, I get to walk alongside others as they do the same. That’s the beauty of this work – it’s never just about one person. It’s about the stories and actions we create together.”