At a time where many Jews are made to feel shame for simply existing, many others, like myself, have doubled down on the great pride and honor we feel in being Jewish.

An outsider might legitimately ask, “What’s so great about being hated by most of the world for no particular yet every conceivable reason.” But it is within that very context — because I am hated without cause — where I draw strength. The fact that the Torah clearly warns us that Amalek attacked an innocent nation for no other reason other than we represent God (the powers of good), is actually empowering.

Even more invigorating is the fact that God literally scooped a small, stiff-necked enslaved nation and gave us the Torah.

How can I not feel honored that He would allow me to be a light unto the nations? What honor could possibly top that? While the rest of the world could make do with only seven requirements, God in His kindness, gave us an extra 606 ways to get closer to Him.

But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.

The fact that we put a value on education, learning and questioning things is another facet of our beauty. We gave the world true monotheism, establishing Judeo-Christian values, persuading our second president of the U.S., John Adams, to say of the Jews: “They are the most glorious nation that ever inhabited this earth.”

Jews, which represent .001% of the population, have reached the highest fields in science, medicine, law, philosophy, literature, music, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, agriculture, irrigation, finance, software and entertainment (Shatner, the Fonz, Streisand, Hoffman, Crystal, Billy Joel, the Three Stooges, Sandler, Lewis, Rickles, Schwimmer, Rudd, Seinfeld — not too shabby).

While we’re at it, the laser, pacemaker, defibrillator, genetic engineering, stainless steel, the cholera, bubonic plague and polio vaccinations, the structure of DNA, Google, organ transplants, endoscopy and pillcams, stents, cellphones, the pentium chip, USB, the Iron Dome, deep irrigations systems, Universal, Paramount, MGM, Fox, Warner Bros., Levis jeans, organ transplants, aspirin, the first carburetor, Duracell batteries, LED lighting, Facebook, trip advisor, Waze, walkie talkies, remote controls, polaroid cameras, radars … All Jews.

The fact that Jews have won more Nobel prizes in virtually every field, beyond their numbers, boggles the mind. For example, Jews have received 41% of the prizes for economics which represents roughly 205 times their share of the population. This is consistent throughout practically every category.

I admire the way the Israeli army protects women and children while their enemy uses civilians to shield themselves shamelessly. The fact that Israel is always the first to be at any disaster offering medical and financial assistance is remarkable. I love that the Israeli army is fearless and even hunts down terrorists years after they commit atrocities like the Munich massacre. I’m proud to be connected to the bravest heroes who serve in the IDF or the countless Jews (think Ari Fuld, z”l) who have died for klal Yisroel, as well as the many reservists who actively chose to put their lives on the frontline for their fellow Jews.

The fact that Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and Palestinians are on the board and staff of hospitals and universities — not to mention the Knesset in Israel — is yet another mark of our distinction.

I love that life is elevated by keeping the mitzvot! I love keeping kosher and being aware of what I eat and how it was prepared, from the sensitivity in killing the animal to the purity of not mixing milk and meat together. I love that Hashem gave us the greatest present around: the Shabbos, where Friday night I can literally shut down my phone, and the world for that matter, and forget everything, and focus on the gift of life.

How can I not feel pride to be part of a people who is continually saved by Hashem and charged with being a light unto the nations.

And unlike most typical corrupt politicians and world leaders purporting to represent good, I know with certainty that I come from royalty. Menachem Begin, a leader whose integrity and courage was beyond compare, along with countless others, helped establish Israel into the only democracy in the Middle East.

Just read any story from the myriad of righteous Jews and gedolim who have given their lives for klal Yisroel and you’ll be amazed. Our first and greatest rebbe, Moshe Rabbeinu, only cared about his people, even going so far as offering to be removed from the Torah unless Hashem would forgive him. Wow! What a privilege knowing our leaders are truly holy revered tzadikim, as opposed to l’havdil, phony politicians looking to line their pockets and get votes and honor along the way.

Even in death, the holiness of Rav Chaim, Rav Salanter, the Steipler, Rav Soloveitchik, Rav Edelstein, Rav Moshe, Rav Shlomo Zalman, Rav Shach, Rav Shteinman, The Ramchal, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rav Ovadia Yosef, Reb Yoel, Rav Elyashiv — just to name a few — continue to live on and inspire the world and beyond. And how about all of the guys learning in kollel or attending a daily shiur or Daf Yomi? What a tremendous zechut to be part of bonafide royalty.

I love being part of a nation that values life and stands up for justice while the world mocks us, reminding me that we are on the correct right side of history. I love that God gave the world Yom Kippur, a day of forgiveness, infusing His holy name with not just midas hadin, but middot harachamim – something we all need.

I feel privileged to be part of God‘s chosen people and unlike an angel, which cannot be tested, I can be, allowing me to reach unprecedented heights. I feel pride everytime I pass a properly dressed eishes chayil, elevating the status of all Jewish women, by revealing their inner beauty.

I love Shabbos kiddushim filled with words of Torah served with a side of overnight kishka and potato kugel. I love seeing the Shabbos table set, the candles flickering and homemade challahs! I love that the old Catskill hotels served each person three mains and no one ever said boo and that you could grab a napkin stuffed with danishes and rolls for later. Did I mention matzah ball/kreplach soup, chopped liver with Tam Tams, stuffed cabbage, latkes, hamantaschen, cholent, sweetbreads, cornbeef and pastrami on rye, chocolate kokosh, rugelach with nuts and raisins … feel free to stop me at any time.

I love the closeness Jews instinctively have toward one another during tough times like shiva, illnesses and tragedies. I also love the joy we share celebrating in each other’s smachot. I love every badeken, especially when the father gives his daughter a blessing. I love that Hashem gave us the gift of the 13 Attributes of Hashem. This is a tremendous gift.

I could go on but I think this says it all.

In the concentration camps, a group of Jews were saving up their daily ration of bread in order to pay for someone’s siddur. I always think about those Jews. Where did the fortitude, the strength come from? After all, they were starving and Hashem certainly understood the situation. What motivated people at death’s door to give up their last morsel of bread for a moment to pray from a siddur?

The pintele yid. The holy spark within.

This very dynamic, our neshamas, is where it all begins. The uniqueness and strength of those starving Jews who gave up their last crumbs for something beyond themselves for just one more opportunity to praise Hashem, renews me with a sense of pride and vigor unparalleled in history. Today we see the same selfless godly nature in every IDF soldier who risks his life for Am Yisroel, may Hashem bless and protect them.

So let them continue to hate ridicule and castigate us. Because everytime they do so, they’re simply reminding us of who they are, and in doing so, revealing who we are. A small stiff-necked nation, who is on the right side of history. The good side. Hashem’s side. And I wouldn’t have it another way. I’ve got bagels and lox calling my name.

Avi Ciment lives in Florida and is a longtime columnist for The Jewish Press. He lectures throughout the world and has just finished his second book, “Real Questions Real Answers.” He can be reached at www.avitalks.com.