Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

100% Jewish

IDF soldier, Igor Lermont will be a new Jew. And then every once in a while, there’s a happy conversion story, no? Check out the latest Jerusalem Post article, Now I feel 100% Jewish, which explores the lives and conversions of IDF soldiers who are not halakhically Jewish. Most of the soldiers are originally from… Continue reading 100% Jewish

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · prayer

Conversation

At the “Taste of Limmud NY” event that I attended, I had a chance to chat it up with a Conservative convert and one of the speakers at the discussion on racism and conflict between Israeli Arab-Israeli Jews. When I was asked what kind of conversion I had, I think I shocked both parties by… Continue reading Conversation

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

Conversion Issue

I’m currently reading “Converts: Power and Consequences” from the latest issue of Sh’ma. The entirety of the latest issue of Sh’ma was devoted to conversion. For some thoughtful articles on conversion, check it out.

babies and pregnancy · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · writing

Baby Drama

Not mine. Yours, maybe? So, I decided to take a break from writing today. My sister confirms that I said this aloud. I am actually supposed to be taking a nap thanks to fibromyalgia exhaustion. But here I am, typing away, injuring my little wrists, my little elbows and that area right between the shoulder… Continue reading Baby Drama

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

Who is a Jew?

I’ve recently discovered Google Alerts which thankfully, tracks down all the articles on Jewish conversion and beams them into my inbox. I just sit and wait. It seems that most news on conversion has to do with that age old heavy question, “Who is a Jew?” In the latest article, Jewish Agency adopts conversion resolutions,… Continue reading Who is a Jew?

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · rabbi

Europe’s Jewish Growth

In the Jerusalem Post article, Rabbis stunt Europe’s Jewish growth, rabbis from all over Europe discuss the problems they face when converting non-Jews to Judaism. The article talks about the lack of Jewish infrastructure in certain areas of Europe as well as the Israeli rabbinate’s attempts to control conversion worldwide. “Former French chief rabbi Joseph… Continue reading Europe’s Jewish Growth

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · writing

On Freelance Writing

My husband’s making me put this soundbite on my blog! I was discussing my depression and my lack of 401K with him when he interrupted and asked me if I was going to be published in a prominent Jewish newspaper. I told him not to get his hopes up. In fact, I went in further… Continue reading On Freelance Writing

Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

Day School Obama Backlash

It worries me that I’ll be sending my mostly imaginary half-Dominican children to Orthodox day schools when I read articles like this one, Racial Comments ‘Shock’ Principals in Jewish Week.

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news

Conversion (News) Update

Check out: Courts to perform secular conversions which bypass rabbinate. Seems everyone’s trying to bypass the Israeli rabbinate these days.

culture/multiculturalism · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · news · Riverdale

Spike in hate crimes

While many were celebrating Obama’s presidency on November 4th, racist opponents started responding with hate crimes on November 5th. Take a look at: “Election spurs ‘hundreds’ of race threats, crimes”. I went to a Taste of Limmud NY session on Thursday where racism was discussed. I was the only non-white person in a group session… Continue reading Spike in hate crimes