Movie Watch
Ania Bukstein in “The Secrets.” “The Secrets” is an Israeli movie about an Orthodox rabbi’s daughter who wants to become a rabbi in her own right. The film threatens to push the cultural envelope. Watch the trailer here.
Author: Aliza Hausman
Modern Orthodox Conversion
My article about Modern Orthodox conversion just hit the Jerusalem Post. Check it out! It’s called “100% Kosher”.
Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
A letter to the Jerusalem Post‘s Aliyah expert confirms my worst fears about the state of Modern Orthodox conversion and relations with the Israeli rabbinate. “Q: I recently converted in the United States via a modern orthodox rabbi. Although both my husband (who is Jewish) and I would love to live in Israel, I am… Continue reading Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Vampire Update
Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward (Robert Pattison) go tree hopping. My sister and I dragged my husband to see “Twilight” on Saturday night. He survived. I didn’t see him check his phone messages once. In fact, I caught him in bed reading a pilfered (hey, I was reading that!) copy of “Twilight.” I think he’s… Continue reading Vampire Update
FIVE REASONS I LOVE HANUKKAH!
That’s right, I’m talking about Hanukkah and Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived. Take that, Xmas! Just kidding. But seriously, why do I love Hanukkah? It’s a pretty minor in the spectrum of Jewish holidays. Some say, it’s really just running interference with Xmas. But no, Hanukkah is so much more! 1. I love Hanukkah because every… Continue reading FIVE REASONS I LOVE HANUKKAH!
The Love That Dare Not Bare Its Fangs
Tonight, I’ll be at the same place every other teenage girl will be. So much for acting my age! If you’re curious, check out the NY Times review: “The Love That Dare Not Bare Its Fangs”
Muslim-Jewish Relations
Muslim-Jewish relations were on my mind after my interview with Sadia Shepard, but I was shy about bringing it up. When I got home though, I discovered a little treat in my inbox. The Riverdale Press featured an interesting spin on Muslim-Jewish relations right here in Riverdale. In the story, “At Riverdale Jewish Center, Muslim… Continue reading Muslim-Jewish Relations
Trying not to burn the pasta
Aliza’s Long Day… My mission this week is to come up with a schedule for myself or at least some sort of routine that will be bedeviled by my fibromyalgia. I woke up so early this morning, I didn’t know what to do with myself. So, of course, I ended up watching Iron Man while… Continue reading Trying not to burn the pasta
This is between me and G-d….
My post about Alysa Stanton, an African-American woman who had an Orthodox conversion and then decided to pursue a career in the Reform rabbinate, has sparked a lot of controversy off the blog. Does one Orthodox convert’s decision to leave Orthodoxy affect the way that other Orthodox converts are perceived? Should it? I think we… Continue reading This is between me and G-d….
Poof, you’re Jewish!
A personal essay in the Jerusalem Post, Uncomfortably Jewish in the Deep South, mentions conversion briefly but it brings up a good point. Some Jews who see Judaism as a “Ashkenazi ethnicity” have a hard time understanding those of us who buy into Judaism as a religion to which we can, literally, convert. Snippet from… Continue reading Poof, you’re Jewish!
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 