I was raised by wolves. This makes things like human manners and decorum a very foreign concept. My mother on manners: Don’t talk (lest you embarrass me and I have to kill you)!Talk (lest you embarrass me with your shyness and I have to kill you)!Don’t embarrass me (you get the picture?)!Don’t leave guests unattended… Continue reading A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
I identify with a lot of people. I identify with the handicapped, Hispanics, women, and now, of course, Orthodox Jews. I used to overlook the handicapped and the Jews since these pieces weren’t always part of my identity. And now, I sit here, while I should be doing yoga, heading to the shower and getting… Continue reading The World in Frum-Colored Glasses
Here’s a stand-up comedy routine from a fellow convert to Judaism, Aaron Freeman. I really enjoyed his show at LimmudLA and I hope you’ll enjoy this clip! A little snipet: “Judaism is the world’s most obsessive compulsive book club.” Aaron Freeman Performing in Israel
Stuff like this only happens to me, right? Hubbie and I just got back from the LimmudLA conference (“celebrating the kaleidoscope of Jewish life”) in Costa Mesa, CA. We had an awesome time (will post about it later). Meanwhile, when we got off the plane at 1am in the morning, a Spanish-speaking cleaning lady at… Continue reading Jesus Christ Superstar
Somehow, the publisher whose contract I have yet to return has decided that my book is tentatively called: Black. Latino. Jewish: Choosing to be Jewish. People, help! Vote on something. Make up your own. Help. They obviously want to work in the multicultural angle. American. Dominican. Jewish.: Becoming Jewish in a Multicultural World BEFORE &… Continue reading Judge a book by its cover
There is actually a guidebook for converts. Of course, I didn’t know this. I didn’t even think to look. I had to get through all 50 odd books that the rabbi listed on the curriculum, forget going out there and looking for myself. The thing is, as I page through many books about conversion in… Continue reading Finding my place in the world…
Today, I’m going to squirrel away some time trying to figure out chapters and topics I want to discuss in THE BOOK. Meanwhile, I guess the best place to start is talking about my mother because it’s all due to her general neglect that I spent most of my childhood “talking” to G-d like other… Continue reading Where do you begin a book?
My mother was a student of Machiavelli who believed it was more important to be feared than loved. Growing up, I thought my mother was the source of all evil. By the time I was an adult, I knew she was. Christianity is about getting to heaven. Judaism is about bringing heaven to Earth.
I guess I survived the interview process if he’s sending me a contract. Hubbie thinks the publisher is underestimating my writing ability, I think Hubbie is overestimating. Now, a case of nerves. I am exhausted. Jetlagged from flying to Berkeley and back for an extended weekend, exhausted from one too many fibromyalgia flare-ups, underexercised and… Continue reading He’s sending me a contract
Notes from The Ten Commandments According to Mom: Ah, so I’m dying to submit my writing for this; THINGS I’D NEVER Tell My Mother. Seeking first-person, nonfiction essays exploring actions, thoughts, or feelings you would never share with your mother. Can be from childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Humorous to heartbreaking. We especially need humor writing… Continue reading The Ten Commandments According to Mom
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 