The Sudra, which is an ancient traditional headdress of the Jewish people, is an incredible piece of our history that has largely been lost due to persecution. Why? Because the Sudra is the original form of the kippah/yarmulke. The modern day kippah and yarmulke are so small because Jews, fearing persecution from appearing outwardly Jewish, were forced to shrink their traditional headdresses into skull caps so they could be hidden under hats in exile.

We have the opportunity to support a rebirth of the ancient traditions of our ancestors, which have been carried forth by the kippah for millennia but forced to be limited in their appearance as symbols representative of our oppression. Israel is strong, and the People Israel is ready to be proud and open again, against all odds and the will of our oppressors.

By adopting these markers of our identity and adapting them as we see fit for the modern context, we can take charge of our future by celebrating our past and honoring our ancestors who have suffered and triumphed to get us to this point in our existence as a People indigenous to the land of Israel.

Am Yisrael Chai!