In “What’s Jewish Food?,” I wasn’t really complaining so much about bagels and lox as I was about “Ashkenazi-centrism” (seriously didn’t make this word up). Food was just the lens through which I chose to discuss a particularly aspect of Jewish diversity. Someone even told me to stop complaining and start writing a new Jewish… Continue reading Jewish Diversity, where it’s at… (Part 2)
Kate Bailey is a self-described “young skeptical modern orthodox feminist convert” who writes deftly about conversion, hers as well as those of others. In her awesome piece in The Washington Jewish Week, “On Conversion”, she tackles many of the issues converts face in the Jewish community. Of the stories of converts, she writes: “The story… Continue reading Does someone who converts to Judaism really become “a Jew like any other”?
I finally broke down and asked my sister if she thinks I attract jerks. I expected her to respond dismissively as I have responded to blog readers who have suggested the same. But in fact, my sister responded with a resounding “Yes!” Yes, you do attract jerks. So why? Am I wearing some sort of… Continue reading Jerk of the Week
Writing about yourself, your friends and family is your bread and butter when you’re a nonfiction writer. But it gets rather tricky. Most of my friends and family are very, very, very (very!) private. And so for the most part, no one’s interested in seeing themselves in the limelight much less a critical one. I’ve… Continue reading Writing About Your Life
My Jewish hero is my rabbi. I don’t think he sleeps. When he’s not at synagogue, he’s at home slipping invitations for Shabbat meals under the doors of Jewish neighbors. He has brought so many people to Judaism. Luckily, his synagogue is not hurting for cash flow so he doesn’t need me to nominate him… Continue reading Who’s your Jewish hero?
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=6348282&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1 Okay, I really, really can’t get enough of these as you see. Parshat Ki Tavo from G-dcast.com More Torah cartoons at http://www.g-dcast.com
Here’s a nice letter I recently received from a reader:I’ve been following your blog for months and it is a revelation. I am a young South African woman of a mixed race background who has been struggling with the question of an orthodox Jewish conversion for about 2.5 years now and when I discovered your… Continue reading Dear Aliza: I’m Glad Someone Understands
The first podcast from Be’chol Lashon focuses on Anusim, Jews who were forced to abandon Judaism against their will, but now are trying to do whatever is in their power to return to Judaism. In this podcast, Rabbi Juan Mejia argues that some of the was Anusim are currently treated in the Jewish community are… Continue reading Spotlight: Rabbi Juan Mejia and the Bnai Anusim
In an LA Times story, “Ethiopian Israeli filmmaker pulls no punches” as he discusses Zrubavel, a film that looks at the Ethiopian Jewish experience in Israel. And in other news: “‘What does it matter that we’re black?’ ask Ethiopian students” (Haaretz) “Rabbi Amar: Can’t compromise in Ethiopian students affair” (YNET) UPDATE 9/1/09: “Schools to accept… Continue reading Black in Israel
Here’s an update on “My Uterus is None of Your Business”. (See above photo: I knew I forgot to do something this summer!) While I was away the world in Riverdale shifted. And now, all the people I know now fall into these categories: Trying to get pregnant. Pregnant. Just popped. And honestly, that would… Continue reading The World According to Your Uterus
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 