Junot Diaz with his little book. I called my father to tell him about Junot Diaz’s new book, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I’m not sure which was stranger, the fact that I was calling my father (a rare occurrence) or the fact that I was talking to him about literature (he prefers… Continue reading Calls to the Platano Mainland
Someone asked me how my “health thingie” was going. I never know how to answer the question. Though I’ve had fibromyalgia since 2005, most of my friends still have no idea what it is. And the friends and family who don’t see me on a day-to-day basis have no idea how much it affects my… Continue reading Frustrating Fibromyalgia
Extremely excited about a new documentary directed by Laura Wiessen, a current Drisha scholar! More Beloved by G-d is a documentary that tells the story of converts and their journey to Judaism. It hopes that their experiences will offer “unique insights into Jewish identity, community, and faith in the 21st century.” The trailer opens on… Continue reading More Beloved by G-d
An incredible animated memoir. Stunning. (Maybe I should just hand in a graphic novel. Easier? Nah.)
Here’s my piece from the third week of my art class. I skipped week three which apparently involved paint. Ew, paint. I’m a control freak so I prefer pencils, conte and sometimes, charchoal. I’m not a big fan of this particular piece. It’s my first venture into pastels. They are incredibly messy and unwieldy. Plus… Continue reading Purple Pastel People Eater
I owe my little blog a lot of love. I owe it little write-ups on books by Junot Diaz, David Sedaris and many more (NOTE TO SELF). I’m currently snacking on Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. It is quite the tasty treat. I couldn’t put it down (okay, I snuck in some Time and… Continue reading Promises, Promises, Promises
It has been three days at I have finally finished The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. I have plenty to say on that later but since I’m rereading it to jot down all the useful Dominicanisms in the book, I am drawn back to the beginning of the book. The book… Continue reading A nation
I just finished The Situation and The Story: The Art of the Personal Narrative by Vivian Gornick. It’s one of the many books on writing stacked up in my new Los Angeles “office.” And what a read, it was more than a little overwhelming. By critiquing a number of great writers, Gornick attempts to convey… Continue reading Reading about Writing
Just an update to let everyone know that The Jewish Planet has published my response to reader reactions towards my editorial on RCA conversion policy. I responded specifically to a particularly passionate letter from one convert. You can view both the reader’s letter and my response here: Response to Reader Reaction to Conversion Editorial. Unfortunately,… Continue reading Reacting to Reader Responses
The latest newsletter from Bechol Lashon (In Every Tongue), an organization that asks us to “imagine a new global Judaism that transcends differences in geography, ethnicity, class, race, ritual practice, and beliefs,” introduced me to Lacey Schwartz. Lacey’s parents were good at keeping secrets. They didn’t reveal that her biological father was black until Lacey… Continue reading Outside the box
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 