Belonging Everywhere?
Who is Adam McKinney and why does he care about “Belonging Everywhere?” Read on and learn more about what he’s been doing for the Jews in Ghana.
Category: Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism
Straight Hair at Any Cost?
How I feel about “good hair” and “bad hair” is pretty much summed up in “Bagels & Locks” and the numerous previous posts on hair where I talk about the history of my own kinky hairstrands. And in “Every friend’s just a little bit racist”, I wrote: “They can tell me on the day that… Continue reading Straight Hair at Any Cost?
Jewish Diversity, where it’s at… (Part 2)
In “What’s Jewish Food?,” I wasn’t really complaining so much about bagels and lox as I was about “Ashkenazi-centrism” (seriously didn’t make this word up). Food was just the lens through which I chose to discuss a particularly aspect of Jewish diversity. Someone even told me to stop complaining and start writing a new Jewish… Continue reading Jewish Diversity, where it’s at… (Part 2)
Jerk of the Week
I finally broke down and asked my sister if she thinks I attract jerks. I expected her to respond dismissively as I have responded to blog readers who have suggested the same. But in fact, my sister responded with a resounding “Yes!” Yes, you do attract jerks. So why? Am I wearing some sort of… Continue reading Jerk of the Week
Who’s your Jewish hero?
My Jewish hero is my rabbi. I don’t think he sleeps. When he’s not at synagogue, he’s at home slipping invitations for Shabbat meals under the doors of Jewish neighbors. He has brought so many people to Judaism. Luckily, his synagogue is not hurting for cash flow so he doesn’t need me to nominate him… Continue reading Who’s your Jewish hero?
Dear Aliza: I’m Glad Someone Understands
Here’s a nice letter I recently received from a reader:I’ve been following your blog for months and it is a revelation. I am a young South African woman of a mixed race background who has been struggling with the question of an orthodox Jewish conversion for about 2.5 years now and when I discovered your… Continue reading Dear Aliza: I’m Glad Someone Understands
Spotlight: Rabbi Juan Mejia and the Bnai Anusim
The first podcast from Be’chol Lashon focuses on Anusim, Jews who were forced to abandon Judaism against their will, but now are trying to do whatever is in their power to return to Judaism. In this podcast, Rabbi Juan Mejia argues that some of the was Anusim are currently treated in the Jewish community are… Continue reading Spotlight: Rabbi Juan Mejia and the Bnai Anusim
Black in Israel
In an LA Times story, “Ethiopian Israeli filmmaker pulls no punches” as he discusses Zrubavel, a film that looks at the Ethiopian Jewish experience in Israel. And in other news: “‘What does it matter that we’re black?’ ask Ethiopian students” (Haaretz) “Rabbi Amar: Can’t compromise in Ethiopian students affair” (YNET) UPDATE 9/1/09: “Schools to accept… Continue reading Black in Israel
My Latest Piece
Check out: “How a Workaholic Control Freak Learned to Relax: Adventures in Shabbat”
Venezuelan Jews Flee to Miami
According to family lore, before some of ancestors became Dominican, they were Venezuelan. The reasons why the Venezuelan part of our family hopped over to the Dominican Republic have been lost in family history. Who knows why people pick up and leave the country of their birth? Well, it’s no secret why Jews are leaving… Continue reading Venezuelan Jews Flee to Miami
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 