culture/multiculturalism · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · plantains · rabbi · Shabbos/Shabbat · summer · Torah · women/feminism · writing

Leaving Los Angeles

For the second year in a row, my husband and I spent our summer in Los Angeles. Again, my husband was playing the role of rabbinic intern at a local Orthodox congregation, Bnai David Judea, where he, in fact, had his bar mitzvah. And while he was off learning to be a rabbi, everyone wondered… Continue reading Leaving Los Angeles

culture/multiculturalism · food · Los Angeles · music · New York

IN SEARCH OF RICE AND BEANS!

I’m moving to Florida. Right now. Okay, I’m joking but I’m wondering if instead of visiting my family down in the Dominican Republic this year, I should make the trek out to North Miami Beach where I have uncovered a Latin kosher restaurant, Mami’s Kosher Restaurant, that serves Cuban food. Rice! Beans! Tostones! Jackpot! My… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF RICE AND BEANS!

culture/multiculturalism · food · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles

Searching for the promised land

This video on followers of Judaism in Uganda is quick to point out that these people are not the Falasha, the Ethiopian Jews whose claim to Jewish ancestry has given them the opportunity to utilize the Law of Return. They have come to Judaism despite the lack of Jewish ancestry and have become fiercely drawn… Continue reading Searching for the promised land

Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · race/racism · writing

Hope you’re having an easy fast…

Check out my latest piece in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles: “A Lesson for Jews in Gates’ Arrest?”

culture/multiculturalism · food · funny · Hispanics/Latinos · Jesus · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · plantains · rabbi · religion · Shabbos/Shabbat · women/feminism

Stand-up Comedy Routine #4

Only a couple of more classes left to my Stand-up Comedy class at Santa Monica College. My stand-up comedy teacher wants me to be more conversational and less theatrical when I deliver my bits. My husband said, “Is he asking you to be more white and less Dominican?” Aliza on Stupid Questions I am a… Continue reading Stand-up Comedy Routine #4

culture/multiculturalism · funny · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · women/feminism

Stand-up Comedy Routine #1

As you may have read on previous posts and/or Twitter, I am taking a Stand-up Comedy class at Santa Monica College. (I’m also taking a Figure Drawing class and a Memoir Writing class.) My husband, being ever supportive as always, has already decided I’m the funniest person in my class even though he’s never been… Continue reading Stand-up Comedy Routine #1

happiness · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · pesach · race/racism · Riverdale

Goals for Next Pesach

Okay, so I think this year’s Pesach was better than the last. Maybe I’m blocking out the more unpleasant stuff. I mean, I only cried once so that’s a vast improvement. (No, wait, it was twice. Still….) Anyway, I hope yours was good and fairly uneventful (or eventful, depending on what you were hoping for).… Continue reading Goals for Next Pesach

Barack Obama · culture/multiculturalism · food · Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · language · Los Angeles · pesach · plantains · prayer · race/racism

What’s a Jewminicana?

What’s a Jewminicana? Well, for one, a Jewminicana is an American girl of Dominican descent who converts to Judaism. Are you still with me? Well, reverse that because I’m a Jewish Latina…in that order. I’m fusing my identity together with American glue. And just because I put my religion first doesn’t mean I think my… Continue reading What’s a Jewminicana?

babies and pregnancy · birthday · chronic pain/fibromyalgia · education · homosexuality · Israel · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · marriage · movies · television

25 Random Things About Me

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

Hispanics/Latinos · Jews/Jewish/Judaism/Orthodox Judaism · Los Angeles · wedding

Putting on a multicultural wedding

Very excited about being published in my “adoptive” hometown of Los Angeles. As some of you know, I spent my entire summer there writing and figure drawing/painting while my husband interned at a local synagogue. Plus, we spend all the major holidays out there with my in-laws. Anyway, do check out the reprint of “My… Continue reading Putting on a multicultural wedding