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Blog Post #1 - Quiet Is Not Weak, Hara Seltzer 

The definition of bullying is repeatedly hurting, intimidating, or mistreating someone on purpose, either physically, verbally, socially, or online. Statistics show about 1 in 5 high school students fall victim to bullying each year. Unfortunately, I was one of those high school students.Bullying is not always one huge, horrible event. Most of the time, it is made up of small moments that slowly add up over time. It can be someone pointing at you and whispering when you are minding your own business. It can be a rude comment made to get other people to laugh. Sometimes it is hearing a false retelling of something innocent you said until the story becomes completely twisted. Other times, it is being left out, ignored, or made to feel like you do not belong.

When you are the person being targeted, it can feel like everyone is watching and judging you, even when that is not true. Bullies often thrive when they have an audience because they think putting someone else down will make them look better. Their goal is often to embarrass you and make you feel smaller than you really are.Many people say the solution is simple: ignore it, stand up for yourself, or do not let it bother you. I wish it were that easy. I have always been a quieter person, so it never bothered me when my friends spoke for me. However, things changed when people started blaming me for things I did not do and twisting stories to make me look bad. One of the hardest parts of being bullied is that it can make you even quieter. You start wondering if speaking up will make things worse or if people will believe you.

One of the most painful parts of my experience was watching a friendship fall apart. Suddenly, years of trust seemed to disappear. The people who once supported me became the people who hurt me the most. It was especially difficult when negative comments were made about my family and when others felt pressured to choose sides. At times, I felt alone and unsure of myself.Bullying can make you feel small, powerless, and invisible. For a long time, I thought finding my voice meant fighting back or proving my bully wrong. Now I understand that having a voice can look very different. It does not mean becoming louder or meaner. Sometimes it means reminding yourself that another person's opinion does not define who you are. Sometimes it means telling someone you trust what is happening. And sometimes it simply means sharing your story.

Although it was difficult, I am grateful that I was able to leave that toxic friendship behind. The experience taught me valuable lessons about self-respect and the importance of surrounding myself with positive people. I learned that true friends do not spread rumors, put others down, or make someone feel unwanted. Most importantly, I learned that being quiet is not the same thing as being weak.As I reflect on my experience with bullying, I am reminded of Sukkot. During Sukkot, families and friends gather in a sukkah, a temporary shelter that symbolizes both vulnerability and strength. The sukkah is built temporarily, yet it remains a place of community and protection. In a similar way, being bullied often made me feel exposed and vulnerable. However, just as the sukkah teaches us that strength can exist even in fragile circumstances, I learned that resilience does not come from never being hurt. It comes from continuing to move forward, trusting the people who truly care about you, and finding strength within yourself even during difficult times.

No one deserves to be bullied. At one point, I did not believe people when they told me things would get better. Eventually, I learned that difficult situations do not last forever. If you feel like I once did, do not be afraid to share your story and take your strength back. Your voice matters, even if it starts out quietly. After everything I have experienced, I know one thing for certain: quiet is not the same thing as weak.