Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · rabbi

This blog is under rabbinical supervision

My rebbe says I am not allowed to schedule posts to go up on my blog in advance during holidays when I will be decidedly offline and unable to post for the day. So, I won’t. But like the good Modern Orthodox Jew I am, I have figured out a way around it, as you… Continue reading This blog is under rabbinical supervision

Israel · news · rabbi

More on Jew-on-Jew hate crimes

Now, speaking of Jew-on-Jew hate crimes (for those of you reading the comments on “Taking North Carolina by Storm”)…. Apparently, Rabbi Norman Lamm is no hater! At least, that’s what the latest Jerusalem Post article claims. Reading “Setting the record straight on Rabbi Lamm” is a must.  And it’s not just anybody coming to Rabbi Lamm’s defense.… Continue reading More on Jew-on-Jew hate crimes

books and reading · culture/multiculturalism · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · religion

Indian Hava Nagila

In case you can’t believe an Indian version of Hava Nagila exists, you should check out Sadia Shepard’s book, “The Girl From Foreign: A Search for Shipwrecked Ancestors, Forgotten Histories and a Sense of Home,” about rediscovering her Indian Jewish roots. This blog has apparently inspired a trend. Swing over to the MyJewishLearning.com blog, Mixed Multitudes… Continue reading Indian Hava Nagila

chronic pain/fibromyalgia · culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Israel · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · Rabbi Avi Weiss · religion · Riverdale

Um, ‘kay?

How does the Associated Press even know I exist? This is a question I asked myself last Friday when I got an email from one of their writers asking me if I would mind being interviewed for a community profile on Riverdale. Of course, I said “yes” but I still assumed it was a joke… Continue reading Um, ‘kay?

depression · education · Hispanics/Latinos · news

Illegal Immigrant Children

Illegal aliens are coming in to steal our healthcare and our jobs! At least, that’s what I hear. Nobody’s talking about the kids caught in the crossfire. In “Immigrants’ children might get help from DREAM Act”, Victor Manuel Ramos profiles one of those kids. “Walter Lara grew up in Florida. An honor student in high… Continue reading Illegal Immigrant Children

Uncategorized

Shabbatsense

Aliza: Mosquito!!! Lil’ Sister rolls her eyes and pushes it away with her magazine. Mosquito revolts and flies at Aliza. Aliza: Kill it! Kill it! Kill it! Lil’ Sister: Why? Hubby: Might have piglet flu.

books and reading · culture/multiculturalism · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism

Am I a Cool Jew?

I’m reading through “Cool Jew: The Ultimate Guide for Every Member of the Tribe”. Having some trouble with the humor because I have a big cultural gap when it comes to Jewish humor. It’s an interesting mix of Jewish fun facts, totally-out-there crazed content, debatable Jewish stereotypes…all told with an irreverent tone. Don’t know if… Continue reading Am I a Cool Jew?

culture/multiculturalism · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · rabbi · race/racism · women/feminism · Yom Kippur

Taking North Carolina By Storm…

Alysa Stanton, a Conservative convert (previous articles said Orthodox) who practices Reform Judaism and has been previously featured on this blog to much fanfare, will be the First black female rabbi to take N.C. pulpit”. Diane Tobin, Associate Director of The Institute for Jewish & Community Research and founder of Be’chol Lashon (In Every Tongue),… Continue reading Taking North Carolina By Storm…

culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · New York · news · rabbi · race/racism

Conversion News Roundup

With Shavuot looming, all eyes seem to be on conversion! The Book of Ruth, which we read on Shavuot, has some competition this year. Internet-trained conversion hopefuls less likely to pass” Apparently, getting a PHD in Chabad.org and Aish.com is not enough learning to convert to Judaism. That’s why I also studied Simpletoremember.org. Analysis: The… Continue reading Conversion News Roundup

chronic pain/fibromyalgia

Getting Better

I have learned that there are some things you don’t get better from. Some things don’t have solutions, don’t have quick fixes. Chronic illness, becoming disabled, living with something like fibromyalgia, has taught me this. But when I tell people I am “sick,” they expect me to get better. It depresses the hell out of… Continue reading Getting Better