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

Check Me Out!

One of my pieces, “From Ghetto Girl to Rabbi’s Wife” has made its debut on The Jewish Writing Project blog. Be sure to check it out!

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · rabbi

Question of the Week

I’m a big fan of Chabad’s Question of the Week. Last week’s was: Why not make it easier to convert? Question: I often hear rabbis complain that the Jewish people are shrinking due to intermarriage and assimilation. But it is you rabbis who are the major obstacle to Judaism growing! If you would make conversion… Continue reading Question of the Week

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

Y-Love Rarely Disappoints

Check out the newest video from Y-Love, aka Yitz Jordan, a man who wears many hats including Modern Orthodox rapper, Puerto Rican/Ethiopian hybrid, convert to Orthodox Judaism, notable blogger and influential Twitterer. Check out his official website, then his blog “This is Babylon” and catch him on Twitter as @ylove. Y-Love was named #4 of… Continue reading Y-Love Rarely Disappoints

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

Stupid Questions on Shabbat at Synagogue

“Are you part black?” “Well, if you’re part black then why is he (pointing to white Jew) darker than you?” “Are you even Jewish?” Oh yeah, I’m a Jew of color. Responses to this blog have been posted by other Jews of color: “How are you Jewish? Defending One’s Jewish Identity” by Y-Love “How are… Continue reading Stupid Questions on Shabbat at Synagogue

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

A Jew of non-color?

What makes someone a Jew of color? When I recently met up with other Jews of color, I realized that I was the pastiest face in the room. I was the only one who could convincingly (and I have before) pass as just some tanned Ashkenazi or more likely, Sephardic girl. Does that mean I’m… Continue reading A Jew of non-color?

Holocaust · homosexuality · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · rabbi · religion

Dead on Arrival

The Reform and the Conservative movements are dying. The Pope is not a demon. The Orthodox aren’t ready for female rabbis. Homosexuals aren’t welcome? Um, did I embellish the points I took away from this profile of Yeshiva University chancellor Rabbi Norman Lamm, “Non-Orthodox Judaism disappearing”? I don’t think so. What do you think? And… Continue reading Dead on Arrival

Israel · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · religion

Pope-in’ it in Israel

As a former Catholic and now Orthodox Jewish convert, I should have something to say about the Pope visiting Israel. But as I said on Twitter, all I could summon forth was “Yawn.” I’ll go read the more of the news (yeah, I already know he didn’t do so well on the Holocaust portion of… Continue reading Pope-in’ it in Israel

culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · New York

A self-titled Jewrican does stand-up….

As part of the Birthright Israel Next Monologues, Ruby Marez riffs about her upbringing in a Puerto Rican and Ashkenazi Jewish family in St. Louis. Thanks for Interfaithfamily.com for this clip. P.S. I think Jewrican isn’t as cool as “Jewyorican” (Jew plus New York plus Puerto Rican) or “Jewricua” (Jew plus Boricua). I got these… Continue reading A self-titled Jewrican does stand-up….

news

What Color is That Baby?

Why is it that when a pretty white girl dies everyone hears about it? Op-ed columnist Bob Herbert doesn’t hold back in answering this question in “What Color is That Baby?” What do you think? I tell you, he’s just saying what I’ve been thinking for a good long time and never had the heart… Continue reading What Color is That Baby?

chronic pain/fibromyalgia · depression · friends · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism

Air Hugs for Everyone!

Remember this piece? Read more about my battle with fibromyalgia and how it was affected my life as a teacher, friend, sister, wife and Jew: “Air Hugs: Fibromyalgia and the Power of Touch”