books and reading · culture/multiculturalism · homosexuality · Israel · poetry · women/feminism

Attention Kmart Shoppers!

I discovered a new blog, “Mixed Race America” and because of it three spoken word poets to rival Vanessa Hidary, the Hebrew Mamita (previously featured on this blog). First, check out Alix Olsen doing “America’s On Sale” below. If you’re curious for more, log onto to this recent post from the Mixed Race America blog,… Continue reading Attention Kmart Shoppers!

books and reading · clothing · culture/multiculturalism · hair · parenting · religion

This is not a fashion show (except when it is)

There is a short period during the year where my choice of dress code does not distinguish me from others. It’s usually that intersection between seasons, for instance, where many women are wearing skirts, long-sleeved shirts and maybe some (combat) boots. But as a friend recently noted on Facebook, it is not this season. My… Continue reading This is not a fashion show (except when it is)

books and reading · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · fans · happiness · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · prayer · rabbi · writing

The Conversion Process

According to CNN, Americans aren’t losing their religions, they’re changing them often. Wow, for some reason, I’ve never felt more like a statistic. I am one of those Americans who has changed religions but I don’t plan on changing it again…ever. First of all, it’s too hard and second of all, I’m too happy (even… Continue reading The Conversion Process

books and reading · culture/multiculturalism · news

Drug Addicts or Lifestyle Enchancement Coordinators

So I just subscribed to The New Yorker and finally received my first copy in the mail. This is part of my program to take writing more seriously and such but of course, the first thing I did was skim all the pages to look at the great cartoons. I felt highly educated for being… Continue reading Drug Addicts or Lifestyle Enchancement Coordinators

books and reading · culture/multiculturalism · Israel · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · New York · race/racism · religion · writing

How do you get from ghetto to ghetto?

Just what was I expecting “From Ghetto to Ghetto”? As a writer and fellow convert myself to Judaism, I have read many, many books about the journeys others have traveled to conversion. I have loved none so much as Julius Lester’s “Lovesong: Becoming a Jew.” I devoured, gobbled it down, page by page. And yet,… Continue reading How do you get from ghetto to ghetto?

books and reading · Holocaust · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

The Sephardic Holocaust

My latest guilty pleasure is Jewish fiction. It used to be trashy romance novels. I am currently making my way through most of Naomi Ragen’s books. Right off the bat, I noticed that “The Ghost of Hannah Mendes“ was different than her other books. It didn’t focus on the religious community or on Israel. It… Continue reading The Sephardic Holocaust

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

Jewish Life in the Present (and Past) Tense

Confession: I’m not a big blog reader. I have a list of favorites that I’m always falling behind on. And yet, lately, I’ve found myself pretty faithful to one particular blog. “The Jewish Writing Project wants your stories. The blog celebrates Jewish life by giving Jews of all shapes and sizes the opportunity to tell… Continue reading Jewish Life in the Present (and Past) Tense

books and reading · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · rabbi · writing

Spanish People Revolt!

Jewlicious Responds to Newsweek‘s “Is Your Rabbi Hot or Not?” with signature snarkiness. Jewlicious asked me via Twitter to take a look. I didn’t expect to get riled up but then I noticed the line, “What kind of name for a rabbi is ‘Rolando’?” Jewlicious was poking fun at Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon who was… Continue reading Spanish People Revolt!

books and reading · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · depression · gym · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · speaking

Miracles and Moodiness

I’ve been moody all week, swinging up and down riding this life rollercoaster without any Dramamine. I’ve been wildly whiny, throwing immature tantrums in front of my ever patient little sister and husband. I haven’t written a word for my book, the thought was too overwhelming. And I haven’t made it into the gym for… Continue reading Miracles and Moodiness

books and reading · writing

My quote

My writing teacher sent me this quote from a recent New Yorker profile of novelist Ian McEwan: “You spend the morning and suddenly there are seven or eight words in a row. They’ve got that twist, a little trip that delights you. And you hope they will delight someone else. And you could not have… Continue reading My quote