education · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · New York · news · Shabbos/Shabbat · teaching

The Thrills and Chills of Pondering Day School Education

Another regular day in the Yeshiva of Hogwarts…. I live in my own little bubble. For the most part, my close friends are in their 20s. They are either starting their families or have infants and I’m hoping that they didn’t read “Applying for Day School Aid: A Degrading Experience” in Jewish Week. (I’m still… Continue reading The Thrills and Chills of Pondering Day School Education

culture/multiculturalism · education · hair · Hispanics/Latinos · jews of color · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · prayer · race/racism · Shabbos/Shabbat · speaking · teaching

My Second Shabbaton: Ruminations on speaking at Brandeis University

My cousin O. wants to know how I’m making so much money talking about myself. But the answer to this question and similar mysteries can only be answered by G-d. And if G-d started talking directly to either of us, we’d probably be filthy rich (or locked up in Arkham Asylum). In the meantime, I… Continue reading My Second Shabbaton: Ruminations on speaking at Brandeis University

education

Are you Islamabad?

People are stupid. No, not all of them but you know who I’m talking about. They’re a whole bunch of people walking around who just say whatever comes into their head without any thought for the person on the receiving end. You know, people like me. Here is a funny and unsettling little video on… Continue reading Are you Islamabad?

culture/multiculturalism · education · Hispanics/Latinos · language

In SAP, please.

An article on a Hispanic blog called “Hispanic Trending” written by Juan Tornoe claims that parents are now focusing on making their kids multilingual. In “A bilingual future: More parents are sending their kids to language classes” , Lourdes Rovira claimed, ”The key is the home. It depends on how much respect, how much value… Continue reading In SAP, please.

art · culture/multiculturalism · education · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · race/racism

I ♥ Bechol Lashon

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

babies and pregnancy · birthday · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · education · homosexuality · Israel · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · marriage · movies · television

25 Random Things About Me

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

chronic pain/fibromyalgia · culture/multiculturalism · education · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · music · New York · news · pesach · rabbi · Rabbi Avi Weiss · race/racism · teaching

I ♥ Ari Hart

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

art · culture/multiculturalism · education · Hispanics/Latinos · New York · news

Elite NYC Public Schools, Mostly White and Asian

Students leaving Brooklyn Tech last month after taking the morning admissions exam for the eight specialized high schools, considered the city’s best. Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times I grew up in a predominately Dominican neighborhood, Washington Heights, where being smart and doing well on homework and tests was looked down upon as “acting white.” Given… Continue reading Elite NYC Public Schools, Mostly White and Asian

education · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · rabbi · Riverdale

Getting some class

Ever since I converted, I’ve been racked with Jewish guilt. I never feel like I’m doing enough Jewish learning. It doesn’t help that I have a husband who studies “rabbi stuff” 10-12 hours a day. So, last week, after a year of trying to attend a local class on davening, I finally made it. The… Continue reading Getting some class

birthday · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · clothing · education · hair · marriage · prayer

The Most Important Day of My Life Final Draft

This is the final draft of an essay I wrote for a contest that asked “What is the Most Important Day of Your Life?” I previously posted the first draft on the blog. Come Back For Us She stood in the doorframe in a faded nightgown though it was mid-afternoon. Her thin penciled-in eyebrows became… Continue reading The Most Important Day of My Life Final Draft