Ever since fibromyalgia, going to shul on Shabbos has become a painful process for me, an almost certain guarantee of a fibro attack. Unfortunately, my shul is not handicap accessible when you consider my disability. I’m not even sure how it could be. But a new study highlighted in the NY Times article, “Patterns: Better… Continue reading The Religiously Observant are Healthier
“Jewish leaders pressing Israel over conversions” made me wonder why Israel does not pursue instituting secular marriage, secular burial rights, really, secular options. Why fight to make conversion secular when these institutions themselves can be made secular? Give people choices. As the article notes, it doesn’t seem fair that so many immigrants were allowed to… Continue reading Does Israel Need Secular Options?
“We always felt we were Indians first and Jews second.”A quote from a member of the Bene Israel community in the NY Times article, “Jews of Mumbai, a Tiny and Eclectic Group, Suddenly Reconsider Their Serene Existence” had me wondering whether or not I was Dominican first and Jewish second. Or is it American first… Continue reading "Indian first, Jewish second"
Someone posted that they’re having trouble coordinating learning with an Orthodox rabbi. That’s no surprise to me. I think the only reason my rabbi is so available when I need him is that he doesn’t sleep. Ever. It also helps that I was not entirely dependent on him for all my learning. During my conversion… Continue reading Learn, Learn, Learn
I wish I’d read this article, “Struggling or Suffering: My Journey as an Observant Jew”, at some point during my conversion. But I was so high on Judaism, I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought. No one warned me that at some point after your conversion, you’ve just gone so far up, the only… Continue reading Struggling or Suffering? Jewish life after your first mezuzah
“Black Friday in Wal-mart”
How many ways can the Jewish people hate each other? Let me count the ways. “Another Bad Date between Israel and Diaspora Jews?” chronicles yet another example of Jew-on-Jew hate. And if you’re looking for more examples, check out the comments to my article 100% Kosher which included comments that real Jews live in Israel… Continue reading Another bad date between American and Israeli Jews
Ethiopian Jews are black and beautiful.:) I don’t know much about Ethiopian Jews. But I remember seeing them in Israel and feeling not-so-out of place. Look, I would tell my husband, that girl has my hair! (Only bigger and better usually.) I got most of my information about the community though from a wedding present.… Continue reading Learning about Ethopian Jewry
My sister says she celebrates secular Christmas, Yule and Chanukah. By that she means, she’s putting up a Christmas tree, heralding in winter and lighting a menorah she’s “stolen” from my collection. Today we celebrated Chanukah early by sneaking away from our responsibilities and watching “Twilight” again. Still good. Still enjoyable. My husband is now… Continue reading Early Chanukah Present
Sandra Samuel carries Moshe Holtzberg out of the Chabad House in Mumbai. According to the latest issue of Chabad’s TheJewishWoman.org magazine, Sandra Samuel is a hero. Of course, this is not news to all of us. Still, “Sandra Samuel: A Heroine in Mumbai” is a brutally lovely piece about one woman’s courage in saving Moshe,… Continue reading Sandra Samuel is a Worldwide Hero not just in Mumbai
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 