I was strolling about the internet trying to come up with titles for my book when I found this “great” Jewish t-shirt website. I was all set to buy my husband, “Trust me, I’m a rabbi” until I saw… “Shiksas are for Practice.” The site claims that “each of our shirt ideas is carefully appraised… Continue reading The S-Word
Rabbi Shaya Gansbourg with his children,Rashi (l.) and Yossel at the Chabad of Harlem, a synagogue and community center at 437 Manhattan Ave. When I decided to convert, I was living in Harlem. There wasn’t much of a Jewish life to be had. I could walk 40 blocks (and I sometimes did) to my synagogue… Continue reading Chabad Goes to Harlem
“Y-Love” aka Yitz Jordan performs in New York. The New York Daily News featured Modern Orthodox rapper/Jewish convert, Y-Love in “Tale of tragedy and triumph for struggling Hasidic rap star.” The article presents an interesting portrait of the Orthodox Jewish convert. A quote from a rabbi cites that hip-hop is harmful and that “music of… Continue reading Hip-Hop is Harmful?
“How will you pass your culture on to your children?” was a loaded question I was recently asked. Another convert had been thinking hard about that question and I think, she hoped that I would have some great insight. But honestly, I didn’t. I don’t. I concede that I haven’t worried too much about passing… Continue reading Raising Jewish Kids…When You Weren’t One
Ever since I converted, I’ve been racked with Jewish guilt. I never feel like I’m doing enough Jewish learning. It doesn’t help that I have a husband who studies “rabbi stuff” 10-12 hours a day. So, last week, after a year of trying to attend a local class on davening, I finally made it. The… Continue reading Getting some class
Jewish girl randomly meets rabbi and her life changes forever. Please check out Sarah Shapiro’s “All The Way Home”. It puts a positive spin on the difficulties and joys of honoring parents and becoming an observant Jew.
Adam McKinney, left, and Daniel Banks bring their program on Jewish identity to Temple Beth-El in Great Neck. Their presentation, “Belonging Everywhere,” includes a film they made about a Jewish community in Ghana. Courtesy of American Jewish Committee. Jewish Week article, Pressing for a ‘Global’ View of Jewry” interviews two local artists, both Jews from… Continue reading Curiosity and Racism are the Same Thing?
Hello, little blog, I have clawed my way through hours of writing for my book, for homework (for my online classes at Gotham Writer’s Workshop) and in response to emails from readers and I have found my way back to you. My trip to Los Angeles is almost over. I’m multitasking by packing and writing.… Continue reading Wrapping up
My first Tisha B’Av was spent at the OU in Jerusalem. The best part of this might shock you, but it was definitely that there were plenty of people there that were twice or three times my age at services. When it came time for Eichah to be read, I sat in a chair with… Continue reading Crying on Tisha B’Av
Aish rules! One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is that Aish is only a couple of blocks away. Because I’ve been taking classes at Santa Monica College though, I haven’t had a chance to take advantage of this little miracle. In New York, going to Aish means a long subway ride… Continue reading Learning & the Rabbi’s wife
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 