Alyssa Stanton, previously featured on this blog to much fanfare, will be the First black female rabbi to take N.C. pulpit”. Stanton’s ordination will provide young black Jewish Americans “with an important role model,” says Diane Tobin, associate director of the institute. “Hopefully over time they will see themselves reflected in the community.”
Category: rabbi
Question of the Week
I’m a big fan of Chabad’s Question of the Week. Last week’s was: Why not make it easier to convert? Question: I often hear rabbis complain that the Jewish people are shrinking due to intermarriage and assimilation. But it is you rabbis who are the major obstacle to Judaism growing! If you would make conversion… Continue reading Question of the Week
Dead on Arrival
The Reform and the Conservative movements are dying. The Pope is not a demon. The Orthodox aren’t ready for female rabbis. Homosexuals aren’t welcome? Um, did I embellish the points I took away from this profile of Yeshiva University chancellor Rabbi Norman Lamm, “Non-Orthodox Judaism disappearing”? I don’t think so. What do you think? And… Continue reading Dead on Arrival
Who is a Jew?
In the rush to write a great book about my crazy life and my ultimate conversion to Orthodox Judaism, I have read many, many books by other converts. I’ve read stories of Orthodox, Conservative and Reform converts. I’ve even met and befriended these converts from all different streams of Judaism. This has given me a… Continue reading Who is a Jew?
The Conversion Process
According to CNN, Americans aren’t losing their religions, they’re changing them often. Wow, for some reason, I’ve never felt more like a statistic. I am one of those Americans who has changed religions but I don’t plan on changing it again…ever. First of all, it’s too hard and second of all, I’m too happy (even… Continue reading The Conversion Process
Seder Soundbites
“The seder is supposed to be a safe place.” Now, who are you kidding? But check out this comment from wrpn and why it deserves its own post: Rabanit Hausman, Sometimes you just have to pick your fights. We had guests over the first days of the chag (holiday) whose son, who had just returned… Continue reading Seder Soundbites
Barack Obama’s Rabbi
Hallelujah, shalom: Rabbi Funnye singing at Shabbat services. (Alec Soth/Magnum, for The New York Times) Conservative rabbi (and convert) Rabbi Capers Funnye is putting the black back in Judaism. (Okay, so it was already there.) And the New York Times noticed. They profiled him in a piece called “Barack Obama’s Rabbi”. The piece also gives… Continue reading Barack Obama’s Rabbi
Spanish People Revolt!
Jewlicious Responds to Newsweek‘s “Is Your Rabbi Hot or Not?” with signature snarkiness. Jewlicious asked me via Twitter to take a look. I didn’t expect to get riled up but then I noticed the line, “What kind of name for a rabbi is ‘Rolando’?” Jewlicious was poking fun at Rabbi J. Rolando Matalon who was… Continue reading Spanish People Revolt!
Maharat means Rabbi
Fast forward to the middle of this segment from the Jewish Channel and you’ll hear about the recent ordination of female Orthodox congregational leader, Maharat Sara Hurwitz. The Mixed Multitudes blog at MyJewishLearning.com commented on the ordination in a piece called “Mahara”t Sara Hurwitz, a “Unique” Woman Rabbi” and the Jewschool blog also offered congratulations… Continue reading Maharat means Rabbi
What I hate about being an Orthodox Jew OR How My Rastafarian Beret Came to Represent Rabbi Avi Weiss, HIR and YCT
Twittering before, during, after the wedding:Going to a wedding today. Separate seating for men and women. Sheitels and fancy hats will abound. Will try not to wear a sack. 9:40 AM Mar 22nd from web My father-and sister-in-law are in town for the wedding and passed out on our couches. Because I am not social… Continue reading What I hate about being an Orthodox Jew OR How My Rastafarian Beret Came to Represent Rabbi Avi Weiss, HIR and YCT
Memoirs of a Jewminicana 