I’m moving to Florida. Right now. Okay, I’m joking but I’m wondering if instead of visiting my family down in the Dominican Republic this year, I should make the trek out to North Miami Beach where I have uncovered a Latin kosher restaurant, Mami’s Kosher Restaurant, that serves Cuban food. Rice! Beans! Tostones! Jackpot! My… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF RICE AND BEANS!
This video on followers of Judaism in Uganda is quick to point out that these people are not the Falasha, the Ethiopian Jews whose claim to Jewish ancestry has given them the opportunity to utilize the Law of Return. They have come to Judaism despite the lack of Jewish ancestry and have become fiercely drawn… Continue reading Searching for the promised land
I don’t necessarily agree with all of these articles but they definitely caught my eye this past week. “Gay vs. Orthodox: A Deadly Turn in Israel’s Culture War? (Time) This article points the finger at the ultra-Orthodox segment in Israel for the attack on a local gay youth club. “The Intermarriage Dividend” This article uses statistics to… Continue reading Jews in the News Roundup
Someone forwarded me the new trailer for Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” film which debuts in October. For the documentary, Rock takes us behind-the-scenes into the African-American hair industry. But this story will definitely appeal to Hispanic women like myself who grew up being told they had “pelo malo” (bad hair) that was only “good hair”… Continue reading Good Hair, Bad Hair.
Scrambling for movies to watch this summer, someone suggested “Adio Kerida”. The documentary, produced and directed by anthropologist Ruth Behar, is about the search for identity and memory among Sephardic Jews with roots in Cuba. Cuba as you know is just a hop, skip and a jump from my parents’ native Dominican Republic. Cuban food… Continue reading Adios Querida? No, Adio Kerida
On a day-to-day basis, I am ALWAYS behind on my reading. I’m inundated by news articles, magazines, newsletters so it’s hard to keep up with blogs. Thankfully, Twitter followers also tip me off when there’s something I just HAVE TO read. @MaNishtana is new to Twittering and blogging he’s making quite a splash. The self-described… Continue reading Hilarious New Blog to Follow!
As usual, my Ladino is great, my Hebrew is not. Do you think Ladino will make a comeback? Let’s hope so. Watch these kiddies singing this beautiful Ladino folk song. Check out the lyrics below. Durme, durme hijiko de madre,Durme, durme s’in ansio y dolor;Sienti joya palavrikas de tu madre.Las palavras di Shema YisraelDurme, durme… Continue reading Ladino Rocks!
OMG, I’m, like, 29. That’s like almost 30! Here is the song my family sings along with “Happy Birthday” or rather “Feliz Cumpleaños.” It’s called “Estas son las Mañanitas.” Las Mañanitas Lyrics: Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David,Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti,Despierta, mi bien, despierta,… Continue reading Happy Birthday to me!
“So what do you do?” “I’m a freelance writer. I also keep a blog called ‘Memoirs of a Jewminicana.’” “A Jew-what?” “Jewminicana. A Jewish American Dominican.” “Oh.” Confused face. “So your father is Dominican and your mother is….” Trailing off uncomfortably. Eye roll. “Dominican.” Shocked face. “Oh. So, you…” Trailing off uncomfortably again. “Converted.” Silence.
http://www.hulu.com/embed/ecsrg_rGdP7psJkobtukZA by the letters S, A and P. (Get it?) Conan O’Brien is trying to embrace his Latino viewers out here in Los Angeles. Sure, there are stereotypes (sexy Latina) but it seems like Conan has been doing his telenovela (Spanish soap opera) homework!
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 