food · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Shabbos/Shabbat · Shavuot · writing

Happy Shavuot!

Now, it’s time to go turn into a pumpkin. At least, that’s the funny phrase my sisters came up with for what happens when I cut away from the world (no phones, no Internet, nothing but Torah)! for a Jewish holiday or for Shabbat.  It’s rainy, I haven’t had enough exercise and my whole body… Continue reading Happy Shavuot!

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

From Prison to Judaism

Louis Ferrante was born an Italian Catholic and was a former member of the Gambino crime family. Now? He’s a Jew.  Read “Q&A with Louis Ferrante” and check out his memoir, “Unlocked: The Life and Crimes of a Mafia Insider”

culture/multiculturalism · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism

I just love these guys!

Hazkeni Voice drops an album in June.

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

Goal!!!!!!

“Conversion is not political football” according to Haaretz. Unfortunately, it certainly looks like it’s playing out like a soccer game to the rest of us. This is a beautiful article, namely because it tries to remind us of something people often forget. Converts are individuals. We are not one collective, united group though we are… Continue reading Goal!!!!!!

New York · news · Riverdale

Look Ma, I’m semi-famous!

Wow, that was fast. While hanging out in my pjs the other day (my all-time favorite attire), I was interviewed by someone at The Forward about the Riverdale terrorist plot. Of course, now everyone knows I’m a big scaredy cat but what can you do?  Check out: “Riverdale’s Jews Are Shaken but Stronger”

New York

Thank you!

A little treat in my inbox today! Thank you, dear reader!

culture/multiculturalism · jews of color · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism

Stepping up to Shul

Jews of color and shul can be a bad combination. Many Jews of color are reticient or downright scared off by the idea of walking into a synagogue. The stares, the stupid questions…it can get pretty uncomfortable. But one Jew of color, Celeste Jackson, insists that Jews of color need to overcome these barriers because… Continue reading Stepping up to Shul

culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · poetry

The Hebrew Mamita tells it like it is

It’s not so easy being a Jewish poet. Between the anti-Semitism from non-Jews and being called ‘an angry black man’ by an Orthodox Jew, Vanessa Hidary, the Hebrew Mamita, has a lot to say and I’m certainly glad (I hope you are too) she hasn’t let these crazy people silence her.

culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · rabbi · race/racism · Shavuot · writing

Conversion & Shavuot

My latest piece is up on the OU website. Check out “Conversion is So Not Original”.

culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · Sotomayor

NOT LATINO!

I don’t know how many times or how many ways I have to say it: Benjamin Cardozo was not Hispanic, not Latino. Let it go, Jewish folks. And if you’re still unconvinced, read “Cultural Ettiquette: Why Jews Should Respect Sotomayor as the First Possible Latino/a Supreme Court Justice.