What’s a Jewminicana? Well, for one, a Jewminicana is an American girl of Dominican descent who converts to Judaism. Are you still with me? Well, reverse that because I’m a Jewish Latina…in that order. I’m fusing my identity together with American glue. And just because I put my religion first doesn’t mean I think my… Continue reading What’s a Jewminicana?
My mother wore tight pants. It was an integral part of the uniform worn by other Dominican women in the Washington Heights neighborhood where we lived. And my Dominican mother, an immigrant to this part of New York City, always dressed to code. My mother’s ritual for getting dressed was…elaborate. My sisters and I marveled… Continue reading My Mother Wore Tight Pants
Life is often funny. While I’m trying to sell a story about how one of my conversion rabbis, Elie Weinstock, told me I couldn’t set foot in a church again and my acquiescence led to losing a friendship, my head conversion rabbi, Haskel Lookstein, headed to church himself. His reason? None other than Barack Obama,… Continue reading My Rabbi Goes to Church
My friend Ari and I were having a conversation about surviving, living and dying. Ari: After reading those facts about you that you listed and all that you have been through, I don’t know how you stay sane. Aliza: Who says I am sane? Ari: That’s a good point. Aliza: I haven’t been committed so… Continue reading They say all dogs go to heaven
Everyone said Israel would feel different. That’s what everyone kept telling me when I decided to venture out there in 2006. But when I got off cranky and in pain from the long flight, I didn’t feel anything except crankiness and pain. They told me to go stand by a wall and that would help… Continue reading Motherland’s Calling and it’s a Conference Call
So I just received my “Commemorative Inaugural Edition” of Newsweek. Listen, I have nothing against Barack Obama but the dude even made it to the cover of my Entertainment Weekly! Fo’ shame. Meanwhile, I decided I’d give the issue a try anyway. I slipped past the first couple of pages and finally turned the magazine… Continue reading Can you be a color and a ghost?
Yavilah McCoy, just another Jew of Color Contrary to popular belief, I’m not the only Jew of Color in the world, even if I happen to be the only Jew of Color many of my friends know or come in contact with on a daily basis. Every now and again, it’s nice to lay down… Continue reading Another Voice for Jews of Color
I love my latest Bechol Lashon newsletter! If you’re a Jew of color or a Jew interested in diversity, you should check it out! The latest newsletter includes an article that takes a look at how and why Israeli doctors are teaching Africans to perform circumcision to help fight AIDS in Africa. There’s also an… Continue reading I ♥ Bechol Lashon
I hate forwarded emails with a passion. I’m already crippling myself by being on the computer and it just pisses me off when I have to look at stupid stuff unexpectedly. So it’s really surprising how taken I have been with a “forward” of sorts that’s been going around Facebook. Many of my friends have… Continue reading 25 Random Things About Me
I just finished writing rewriting this article for a Jewish writing class and I can’t bear that I don’t know when, if ever, it will see the light of day. So, I’m hoping some of you speed readers will give it a second chance and let me know what you think. Redefining Community: Ari Hart… Continue reading I ♥ Ari Hart
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 