This issue of Sh’ma focuses on Jews by choice who have assumed positions of leadership in Jewish life. Long considered “other,” by some Jews, Jews by choice have now become “us” — our rabbis, educators, and communal leaders. We are now seeing trends that show Jews by choice clearly influencing Jewish practice and community. Writers reflect on these issues as well as questions about “authenticity” and Jewish identity, and what that means today in a globalized, hybridized community. A couple of essays examine the role of the “fellow traveler,” the non-Jewish partner who helps to raise Jewish children and contributes to the enhancement of our community. We also include an exchange between rabbinical students about transforming the current policy of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion denying admission to intermarried students.