Question: I am at the beginning of the conversion process in the Conservative branch of Judaism. After I convert, I know I won’t be recognized as a Jew by some Orthodox Jews. So how should I behave if I visit an Orthodox synagogue? As a Jew? As a non-Orthodox Jew? As a gentile?Response from MyJewishLearning.com:… Continue reading Conversion Ettiquette
It’s articles like these “Jewish in Tel Aviv, Gentile in Ashkelon” (2/3/10, The Jewish Daily Forward) that led to the following joke I make in one of my speeches: “In America, I am Dominican but in the Dominican Republic, I am American and in Israel, whatever I am depends on a couple of angry rabbis.”… Continue reading Jewish Here, Not Jewish There
Ah, just unearthed these words of wisdom in an email from a fan. Sorry it’s so late and doesn’t relate to this week’s parsha but its message is anything but old. Racial/Ethnic Discrimination? Thoughts on Parashat Shofetim…BY RABBI MARC D. ANGEL (Rabbi emeritus of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in New… Continue reading Rabbi Marc Angel on Racial/Ethnic Discrimination within the Jewish People
WANTED: One Rabbi versed in the Dark Talmudic Arts to create one Golem for household of three. Golem will perform rudimentary household chores such as dishes & sweeping, basic Math Tutoring for our daughter in 3rd grade and basic household security. Golem must be obedient and fairly unobtrusive on our every-day lives. We will supply… Continue reading Looking for Rabbi Versed in DARK TALMUDIC ARTS to create GOLEM. (Astoria, NY)
Watch video above. The story of Aliza Bulow is pretty inspiring. At just 10, she knew she didn’t want to be Christian and by 16, she had moved to Israel with the intention to convert and become a rabbi. Finding out that as an Orthodox Jew, she couldn’t become a rabbi, she was undaunted. Though… Continue reading Sweet Sixteen and This Convert Wanted to Be a Rabbi
Great so though I’m covered head to toe in all but a burqa, the security dudes at the airport (will soon) get to see me naked anyway? Yeah, yeah, terrorism, I hear you, but I’m feeling quite the little prude right now. I’m not sure what’s worse, that those dudes (and dudettes) get to check… Continue reading Naked at the Airport
You’d be surprised how some conversations in Jewish circles start for Jews of color. Often, they don’t start with “Hi, what’s your name?” Instead, they start with “Hey, are you a convert?” even before the other person has introduced themselves. Usually, this question has substituted, “Hi! Hello! How are you?” The curiosity of the person… Continue reading A Video Response to "Where you from?"
Yesterday, I was at a meal, a buffet, with a bunch of rabbinical students and rabbis. I was happy to see so many faces I knew. One of the rabbis was talking to me about the possibility of telling the stories of all the converts who are experiencing difficulties as a result of the new… Continue reading The Invisible Woman
Rabbi Haim Drukman spoke to Riverdale last night at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in an event co-sponsored by YCT and the International Rabbinic Fellowship. A friend from YCT (Yeshivat Chovevei Torah) transcribed Rabbi Drukman’s speech. There’s little things he left out but this is the gist. I apologize for all the Hebrew if it’s… Continue reading Rabbi Haim Drukman speaks to Riverdale
Event: “The State of Conversions in Israel” with Rabbi Chaim Drukman Date: Tuesday night, Dec. 1, 2009 Time: 7:30pm Place: Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY The International Rabbinic Fellowship, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Hebrew Institute of Riverdale are honored to welcome RABBI CHAIM DRUKMAN to spreak at HIR. Rabbi Chaim… Continue reading Cool Jewish Events: Rabbi Chaim Drukman Speaking
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 