Life is often funny. While I’m trying to sell a story about how one of my conversion rabbis, Elie Weinstock, told me I couldn’t set foot in a church again and my acquiescence led to losing a friendship, my head conversion rabbi, Haskel Lookstein, headed to church himself. His reason? None other than Barack Obama,… Continue reading My Rabbi Goes to Church
My friend Ari and I were having a conversation about surviving, living and dying. Ari: After reading those facts about you that you listed and all that you have been through, I don’t know how you stay sane. Aliza: Who says I am sane? Ari: That’s a good point. Aliza: I haven’t been committed so… Continue reading They say all dogs go to heaven
Everyone said Israel would feel different. That’s what everyone kept telling me when I decided to venture out there in 2006. But when I got off cranky and in pain from the long flight, I didn’t feel anything except crankiness and pain. They told me to go stand by a wall and that would help… Continue reading Motherland’s Calling and it’s a Conference Call
Yavilah McCoy, just another Jew of Color Contrary to popular belief, I’m not the only Jew of Color in the world, even if I happen to be the only Jew of Color many of my friends know or come in contact with on a daily basis. Every now and again, it’s nice to lay down… Continue reading Another Voice for Jews of Color
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
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
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
I used my book allowance this week to buy myself some books that would help me get my Dominican on. I know what you’re thinking: Your what? And since when do you have a book allowance?Your answers go something like this: I’ve had a book allowance for a year now. Ever since my husband came… Continue reading Getting My Dominican On
How Church Came Between My Friendship… When I was converting to Judaism, I asked a rabbi if I could walk into a church again. I wasn’t planning on returning for services but I had my sights on visiting the Sistine Chapel someday. It was also a question that bothered many of my Christian friends, particularly… Continue reading Between Church and Friendship
In “How to convert a crisis: Say ‘dayenu’”, Shammai Engelmayer does a pretty good job of summing up the current conversion crisis. At LimmudNY, Seth Farber, head of ITIM, did him one better. I sat in on one of Farber’s LimmudNY session, “Conversion Chaos.” This is how the session was billed: “Since 2004, conversion to… Continue reading Conversion Chaos
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 