My name is Riana Pliskin. I am a 17-year-old writer from Houston, Texas, and a Junior at the Kinkaid School. My mom, Greta Ravitsky, immigrated to the US from the Soviet Union and lived in San Antonio in the 1990s after being persecuted for her religion.

Over the past two years, I've noticed how difficult it has become for Jewish-centered writing to find a place in mainstream publishing. Seeing antisemitism resurface so strongly has only deepened my commitment to creating a space for Jewish voices of all ages. 

As part of my building journey, I am currently developing an anthology exploring Jewish identity and resilience, partnering with Holocaust museums (including survivors),  Jewish leaders, and youth to share a multigenerational narrative of what it means to be Jewish today. The name of the anthology, Invisible Thread, intends to recognize the connection uniting us as members of the Jewish community, across generations, borders, and beliefs, through hardship and celebration. We are, after all, quietly bound to one another through shared history and faith. 

Even when this thread feels invisible, we as a community have been reminded that this thread and sense of connection are stronger than ever. This anthology will honor that connection—the invisible yet unbreakable thread that holds our people together.