It might surprise some of you that this self-described Jewminicana actually has a Puerto Rican great-grandfather. I am 7/8 Dominican and 1/8 Puerto Rican. My great-grandfather Demetrio Marrero-Vasquez (pictured below with me in his lap) was a Boricua through and through. I am often asked by people, both Dominican and not, who wonder aloud that… Continue reading Get matched & help a family in Puerto Rico
So, it’s been a while but I wanted to post this video I made. I was asked to do it by another Dominican on Facebook who told me that many young Dominicans are posting videos discussing their Ancestry.com results to raise awareness about our mixed heritage. While I was born in New York City, as… Continue reading About My Ancestry.com Test Results
Check out this amazing list of books featuring mixed race families: 50+ Picture Books about Mixed Race Families Almost all the of these books are on Amazon for purchase. They’re also now on my son’s birthday wish list as there is almost nothing he likes to do more than “read” books to himself or have… Continue reading The Color of Us: 50+ books about Mixed Race Families
And now (because I’m so Jewish) I will turn into a matzoh ball! Okay, HOW did I miss this video of MaNishtana that pulls in interviews and pieces from his most infamous and awesome videos? The funny thing about moving to New York Los Angeles (Sorry, folks, that was just a homesick typo, I’ve never MOVED… Continue reading And now I turn into a matzoh ball?
I must confess, it wasn’t until fairly recently that I heard the term M.O.T., as in member of the tribe. But then the person who asked if the guy I was telling him about was an MOT, probably had never heard of JOCs, as in Jews of color. I’ll never know. I didn’t ask when… Continue reading Are you a Member of the Tribe?
I woke up this morning to find that Mexican Jewish food had been featured in The New Yorker blog! Was I still asleep? Was I dreaming? When American Jews think Judaism or even Jewish food, they think Ashkenazi or Eastern European food. They don’t think Hispanic Jewish food. People don’t think of Jews as a… Continue reading Mexican Jewish Food Hits The New Yorker
When they say it almost never, ever rains in Los Angeles, what they don’t tell you is that when it does, it rains all at once like G-d is trying to pull that Noah’s Ark business all over again. And that’s the kind of rain that hit here this Purim. Rain is my kryptonite (okay, how is… Continue reading The Purim Curse?
I have ALWAYS felt out of place. Like there was no place I would, could, should fit. I think this is what helped me find Judaism and when I gave speeches about my life story that was the biggest theme. That I fit in everywhere and nowhere. I am black, white, Native American, Spanish, Jewish…everything…but… Continue reading Random Thought to a New Friend
“ “Urban Outfitters Finds Frum Inspiration?” talks about how head scarves have suddenly gone hip, even hipster…and not just on the heads of Orthodox women. Now, this head scarf innovation isn’t new. I should note that I’ve seen many non-Jewish women, particularly black women, wrap their locks up in elaborate head scarves. Just walk around… Continue reading Non-Jewish Latinas Rocking Head Scarves!
Back by popular demand! So many of you sent me emails thanking me for posting about the following comedian but I didn’t except him…fellow JOC (Jew of color), Samson Koletkar, the hilarious Indian Jewish comedian, to personally invite me to his Los Angeles show! (See details below.) Samson will be sharing the stage with one… Continue reading Cool Jewish Events: The Mahatma Moses Tour (Los Angeles/Pasadena, CA)
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 