Had you asked actor and entertainer Ricky Flowers Jr. a decade ago if he believed he would embrace his Jewish identity to the point of getting stuck in Israel during a war, he probably would have laughed, thinking that was far beyond the realm of possibility.
However, after extending his stay in Israel after a Foreign Ministry trip for pro-Israel advocates and influencers, Flowers did find himself stuck in Israel while it was under attack – and feeling even more connected to the heritage he has only recently discovered.
His journey to becoming a pro-Israel activist is as unconventional as it is compelling. From his early life in rural Ohio to his rise in Hollywood, and ultimately his deep connection to the Jewish community, Flowers’ story is one of self-discovery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his beliefs.
Originally from Hamilton, Ohio, a small town where the nearest Starbucks was a 45-minute drive away, Flowers has always stood out in his pursuit of purpose. “Our convenience store in the neighborhood was a drive-through gas station,” he recalls, painting a vivid picture of his humble beginnings. He grew up in an environment where entertainment seemed far out of reach, yet from a very young age he was drawn to performance.
Flower's journey into entertainment began at age two, during a preschool holiday show where he spontaneously stepped up to sing a solo when another child became too nervous. This marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for entertaining, one that would eventually lead him to Hollywood.
“I’m from a tiny town, and I’m thankful for the experiences there because that’s what made me who I am,” he says. Flowers, however, didn’t just dream of becoming a star in the entertainment industry: He wanted to make a difference.
Prior to his move to Los Angeles, which marked a new chapter in his life, he worked in mega-churches, preaching Christianity with all of the same glitz and glamour that came with the entertainment industry.
He spent 12 years in the city of dreams, facing the challenges and realities of Hollywood. During that time, he found himself not just as an entertainer but also as an activist, using his platform to speak up for causes he cared about. Despite the allure of fame and success, Flowers always felt a deeper calling, a sense of purpose beyond the glitz of Hollywood.
His journey took an unexpected turn when, in his twenties, he began studying Judaism. Raised Christian, Flowers always felt a disconnect, despite his deep immersion in faith and religious studies from a young age. He would often read the Bible, memorizing verses and even preaching sermons at a young age. But something felt off, and he yearned to understand.
By the time he was 10, he had read the entire Bible. But instead of finding comfort, he began to question everything around him. “I just didn’t feel connected to it,” he says.
Flower's quest for identity intensified, and by his teenage years he became an ordained minister. Yet, despite his spiritual responsibilities, he began to notice contradictions within the Christian faith, making him question whether he truly belonged in the world he had spent so much time embracing.
It wasn’t until Flowers was an adult, while navigating life in Los Angeles, that he discovered something that changed his life forever. During a conversation with his uncle, Flowers was told something that would profoundly alter his path: “You know, you’re Jewish, right?” his uncle told the shocked young man. Initially skeptical, he didn’t believe it at first, but the seeds of curiosity were planted.
As it turned out, one of his great-, great-, great-grandmothers was a Jew from Portugal who had immigrated to the United States and was forced to convert to Christianity somewhere along the line, robbing his mother’s family of their connection to their Jewish heritage. “It stayed in my subconscious,” Flowers says.
Around the same time, he began to explore Judaism, reading books and learning about the culture. He was drawn to it in ways he couldn’t fully explain. The movie The Prince of Egypt became a turning point for him. “It was the first time I felt seen in a movie,” he says. The film – about Moses’ midlife switch from being an Egyptian prince to being an advocate and leader for the Jewish people, whom he discovered he was part of – resonated deeply with him, and he began to explore his Jewish roots with more urgency.
Embracing his Jewish identity
In 2016, after years of self-study, Flowers took the bold step of embracing his Jewish heritage publicly. He began wearing a kippah and studying Torah on his own. But, he admits, it was a lonely journey. “I didn’t have anyone I was really connected to in LA who was Jewish. I wasn’t a part of a synagogue, so I was just doing it on my own,” he says.
His decision to publicly identify as Jewish wasn’t without challenges. Flowers soon realized the complexity of balancing his newfound faith with his life in Hollywood. “I started wearing my kippah and my tzitzit everywhere I went,” he says. “It didn’t matter where I was – restaurants, clubs, casting offices. If I went out, I wore them.”
His decision to live openly as a Jew was met with resistance from some of his closest friends. “I lost half my friends after Oct. 7,” Flowers reveals. He recalls how, after the war broke out, some of his friends unfollowed him on social media and distanced themselves because of his support for Israel.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “You knew me before I even knew I was Jewish; but now, because the world decides to hate Jewish people, you block me?” This was a hard pill to swallow for Flowers, but it only deepened his resolve. He noticed that opportunities he normally would have had were less available.
Flowers’ commitment to Israel deepened in the most unexpected way when he traveled to the Jewish state for the first time. The trip started as a planned vacation, but it turned into an intense personal experience when the war with Iran broke out while he was in Tel Aviv. “We were a seven-minute walk from where one of the missiles landed. We saw the hole in the building the next morning,” he recounts. The violence and chaos that unfolded were jarring, especially for someone visiting Israel for the first time.
But in the midst of the terror, Flowers experienced something profound – the spirit of the Israeli people. “I was seeing people come together during the war, having Shabbat in bomb shelters, singing, laughing, and playing piano,” he says. “I’ve never felt more at home in a place that wasn’t where I was born.” This experience solidified Flowers’ connection to Israel, and it was in that moment he realized that his calling was not just as an entertainer but as a voice for Israel.
As the war intensified, Flowers found himself compelled to speak out. “After Oct. 7, I couldn’t stay silent anymore,” he says. Despite facing backlash, he continued to advocate for Israel, speaking at events and using his platform to educate others about the complexities of the conflict. His newfound commitment to pro-Israel activism wasn’t just about defending a nation – it was about standing up for what he believes is right.
His dedication to Israel’s cause came with personal sacrifices. “I lost my job opportunities in entertainment. I saw my auditions slow down, but I didn’t care. I knew this was bigger than me,” Flowers reflects. “I wasn’t going to be silent, especially not when it was costing people’s lives.”
Flower's activism has taken on many forms, from speaking at rallies to using his platform on social media to educate and inform. One of his most memorable moments came after the Oct. 7 attacks when he attended a prayer service at his synagogue.
“My rabbi prayed for all the innocent Palestinian civilians caught in the war. It shook me,” he says. “All I saw on social media at that point was ‘Death to the Jews,’ but here my rabbi was praying for peace and protection for everyone. That made me want to get even more involved.”
Despite the challenges and hardships he has faced in his personal and professional life, Flowers remains committed to his faith and Israel. “I know that I’m more than what I do in entertainment,” he says. “I know my true purpose is to help bring people together, to stand up for Israel, and to share the story of my journey. I’m proud of who I am, and I’m grateful for everything that’s led me to this point in my life.”
Flowers’ story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a deep commitment to his Jewish roots. In a world that often tries to divide us, his unwavering belief in truth and unity shines through.
Whether he’s advocating for Israel or inspiring others through his work in Hollywood, Ricky Flowers Jr. is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from knowing who you are and standing firm in your beliefs. ■