I have been wearing peyos for a couple of months now, but i am not a member of any of the sects/groups that traditionally wear them. I was raised in a Conservative Jewish home that was not that strict about religious law. My parent's home was only kosher during Passover, and we rarely lit shabes candles. Growing up, i attended shabes services about once a month and was usually the most frequent worshiper of my age group. In high school, i decided on my own to start keeping kosher, and i continue to now. Around the same time i decided to start learning Yiddish, which i continue today. When i arrived at college last fall i realized for the first time really how complicated Judaism is. My first Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur away from home i kind of freaked out because i didnt understand a lot of the traditions/customs. i decided to read some Talmud to understand it better, but having had a rather weak Hebrew school education (learn the Hebrew alphabet and some Torah stories) i felt i was at a loss. in october i decided to grow a beard, and twisting my peyos (i have moderately long hair). i dont observe most Jewish laws (besides the ones stated above, and the obvious ones about not killing and such) , but even so i have been described as the "most Jewish kid" at my college (where i am President of the Jewish Student Union), because of my eating habits and overall interest in my tradition, weather it be Talmud or Yiddish culture. I feel peyos are a way in which i can proudly display my Hebrew ancestry, and be recognized as a Jew. Being that my appearance is not that of a Rabbi or Khassid, i will often be approached by fellow Jews and, because of my peyos, who will start a conversation about Jewishness. I understand that Jewishness is in one's heart, but at times i feel that my heart is overflowing.

Am I wrong to wear peyos if i do not fit the mold of most peyos wearers? Should this even be a societal question, or is it just up to me and how i feel in my relationship with my history, culture, and G-d?

I don't think it's wrong at all...peyos aren't limited to various sects of Orthodoxy, and truth be told, anyone can choose the way to wear his/her hair. I think it's nice that you feel like proudly identifying yourself as Jewish.

Hey man, payos are cool.






The CPS are gonna have a heart attack

You're showing your individuality, as well as your pride in your history and culture. I think it's super cool.

I can probably guess, but what does CPS stand for?

What you are going through is very common. The only thing you have to be careful of is to take care to behave yourself in a manner befitting a Religious Jew, at least in public. Once you put on the uniform, like it or not you represent Jews and Judaism and put yourself in the spotlight. As you mentioned you are already considered "the most Jewish guy on campus" that is a BIG responsibility....

I would suggest that you try to work on some INTERNAL expressions of Judaism to compliment your external ones. You have "made the vessel" so to speak, now it is time to "fill it up"...

But my main piece of advice is NOT to attempt to do this all by yourself. Find yourself a community, a Rabbi, a Teacher and work together SLOWLY. It is exceedingly difficult to get an accurate balanced perspective on Judaism and the Jewish way of life, unless you get it from someone in the know. Many people try to do it alone and end up becoming complete weirdos or "going off the deep end". Books are great, and there are a tremendous number of resources today on the internet, but they can never replace personal guidance and instruction or interaction with a community.
Find yourself a local Rabbi or religious community and work from there. Chabad is probably a good place to start, and if you tell us where you are located we could probably give you more details....

Ditto to what K-Reb said.